PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 133, UNITED STATES-MEXICO ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP ACT; PROVIDING FOR DISPOSITION OF SENATE AMENDMENT TO H.R. 1520, PURPLE BOOK CONTINUITY ACT OF...
Steve Chabot (Republican, OH) \u2014 2020-12-21

. Madam , I thank the gentleman from Oklahoma for his leadership on this issue and so many other issues over the years. prgtoken Madam , for months now, our Nation's entrepreneurs and small business owners have been pleading for additional help from Congress. I have been hearing this from small businesses back in my district in the greater Cincinnati area. I know that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have been hearing the same thing from their constituents. prgtoken While I am relieved that Congress is finally acting on those cries for help, I am dismayed that it has taken this long. I introduced a bill back in September, 3 months ago, that could have been brought to the floor and helped those small businesses that so desperately needed that help back then. prgtoken That bill included many of the same provisions that we are voting on today. Instead, this House, under ic control, considered bills about marijuana and online conspiracy theories, for example. It is an embarrassment that it has taken this long because every moment of delay put more small businesses at risk of permanent closure. prgtoken These small businesses, restaurants, shops, and manufacturers employ nearly half of this country's workers and form the backbone of communities all across the country. Fortunately, the provisions in today's relief package will bring critical assistance to these workers and their families. prgtoken The Paycheck Protection Program, which has supported over 50 million employees, will be reopened for new and second-time applicants. Funds will be reserved for very small businesses and community lenders. The list of eligible expenses will be expanded so that small business owners can purchase PPE, for example, to keep employees and their loved ones safe. prgtoken There are many more details in the package, too many to go into here. But the bottom line is this: These provisions will bring meaningful help to millions of Americans. prgtoken Just in my district in Cincinnati and the surrounding area, a PPP loan helped keep 140 employees on the payroll at the Silver Spring House restaurant. A PPP loan enabled HomeWell Care Services, an assisted living facility, to continue their important work for our community's elderly population. And the folks at Neyer Plumbing used PPP funding to carry on as an essential business. prgtoken These are real people with real families to support and bills to pay. That is why it is so important that we pass this package without additional delay. prgtoken Small businesses and their employees are tough; they are resilient. Across the country, we hear stories about small businesses giving back to their communities, even when they are struggling themselves. prgtoken It is time for Congress to meet the moment and get further help in the hands of working Americans. As a matter of fact, it is far overdue. prgtoken Madam , I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this long- overdue legislation.