Hearing of the House Small Business Committee - Opening Statement of Rep. Chabot, Hearing on Stop Playing Partisan Politics with Small Biz and Reopen PPP

Hearing

Today, House Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH) spoke on the House floor in support of reopening the Paycheck Protection Program and sending help to millions of small business owners and their employees.

Remarks as prepared for delivery:

I thank the gentleman for yielding.

Madam Speaker, an important holiday is coming up next Saturday. Small Business Saturday is the day when we take time to support the restaurants, shops, and other small businesses that create two out of every three new jobs in America. Normally, this is an occasion to eat a delicious meal, get a head start on holiday shopping, and say hello to friends and neighbors.

Unfortunately, this year many small businesses are struggling due to COVID-19. A recent NFIB survey indicated that over half of small business owners expect to seek additional financial assistance over the next year. If they can't access that help, they may be forced to lay off employees or cease operations.

That is unacceptable.

We have a program that has already supported 50 million jobs. It even has over $130 billion dollars ready to go.

That program, the Paycheck Protection Program, stopped accepting applications back in August.

Instead of quickly passing a bill to reopen the program, Democratic leadership has used it as a political football for over three months, while small business owners have drained the last of their funds and nervously check if they can make payroll for the next month.

Today, we have a chance to do right by the small businesses that are the heartbeat of each and every one of our communities.

If we defeat the previous question, we can move directly to a legislative package that includes my bill to reopen and improve the Paycheck Protection Program.

Let's defeat the previous question and send aid to the small businesses that desperately need it. I can think of no better way to celebrate Small Business Saturday.

I yield back.

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