As Congress considers another pandemic relief package and debates what should be included in the measure, Republican Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA), U.S. House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Kay Granger (R-TX), and U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) on April 7 said they support the Trump administration’s additional funding request for the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program.
“The impact of the coronavirus on our economy and our nation’s small businesses has been undeniable. That is why Congress acted to provide much-needed relief to the backbone of our economy through things like the Paycheck Protection Program,” Rep. Granger said.
Established by the newly signed third pandemic stimulus package, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the Paycheck Protection Program allows small businesses to receive forgivable SBA loans to support employee pay and to prevent layoffs during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reps. Scalise, Granger, and Cole support bolstering the program’s funding in the fourth and upcoming relief package, with Rep. Scalise calling the program “a lifeline for American small businesses” impacted by the pandemic-induced economic downfall.
“American workers want to keep their jobs and small businesses want to keep their employees — President Trump and Congress want to help make that happen,” said Rep. Scalise. “The Paycheck Protection Program has been very critical to that objective, and we need to make sure that it will work for all small businesses, not just those who were first in line, so that American workers will have jobs to go back to once shelter-in-place orders are lifted.”
Rep. Cole agreed, saying small businesses and their workers have been some of the hardest hit during the pandemic.
“While I am encouraged that the Paycheck Protection Program will provide some desperately needed help for small businesses trying to maintain their workforce, it is critical that Congress and the Trump administration ensure the program remains fully funded and able to deliver the promised aid to those who need it,” the congressman said.
Rep. Granger pointed out “overwhelming enrollment” in the program during its first few days of implementation, which “makes it clear we must do more to help America’s small business owners.”
The lawmakers hope to see the U.S. Senate move quickly on a bill to provide further relief to small businesses, and said they look forward to working with colleagues in their chamber to swiftly pass the measure and get it to the president’s desk.
“One day, soon, our lives will start returning to normal. The Paycheck Protection Program will expedite that return to normalcy and I strongly support President Trump’s urging to extend funding for this vital program,” Rep. Scalise said. “I want to commend Senate Majority Leader McConnell for preparing a quick response to this pressing need and I look forward to helping pass such legislation through the House as soon as possible.”