Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019

Floor Speech

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Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 266, the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act. This interim legislation is critical to support our small businesses and healthcare systems, but we must do much more to support families, communities, and our economy.

In the wake of the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, Congress acted swiftly to provide funding for hospitals and healthcare facilities, schools, states and localities, and small businesses. Unfortunately, the funding was not sufficient to meet the need and too many small businesses are left wondering if they can survive. I have heard from small business owners from across Northwest Oregon who were unable to access the Paycheck Protection Program and Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Grant funding. They described their frustration as the money was quickly exhausted; a significant amount going to large restaurant chains while small mom and pop businesses were left out. The pandemic continues to ravage communities and our economy remains largely shut down through no fault of the small business owners and workers who need our help in this unprecedented time. The bill before us today will provide the assistance those businesses need. The bill includes $310 billion in additional funding for the Paycheck Protection Program, with $60 billion of that funding dedicated for lending by community-based and small- and mid-sized lenders, including credit unions, community banks, and other institutions that are prepared to lend to that small businesses that have traditionally been overlooked, such as minority- owned businesses, businesses owned by women and veterans, and small businesses in our rural communities. We must make sure this money gets to mom and pop businesses.

The bill also bolsters the Economic Injury Disaster Loan and Grant programs by providing $60 billion in funding, and expanding the program so farmers and many agricultural enterprises are eligible. The programs provide funding for small businesses to cover operating expenses, but were similarly underfunded for the demand.

H.R. 266 also provides $75 billion in much-needed funding for our hospitals and healthcare facilities. We know that these facilities are operating without the resources they need, and are unable to cover expenses because they can't perform elective procedures during stay home orders. The bill also includes $25 billion to expand testing, including funding for states and localities, the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes of Health, the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, and the Food and Drug Administration. We need to vastly expand testing capabilities if we are going to be able to get a handle on this pandemic, so I am thankful that this funding was included.

The funding included in this bill is critical to help our country, but we must do so much more to support workers, small businesses, and communities. Our work is far from done. I am continuing to fight for robust child care support, increased funding and capabilities for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, funding for workers and our workforce system through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and expanded access to capital through our credit unions to make it easier for them to lend to small businesses. I am also fighting to make sure that our state and local governments receive more funding, students and teachers have the resources they need, that people receive additional economic impact payments, and that our immigrant community is included in future relief efforts. I'm also advocating for workplace protection standards and essential pay for frontline workers during this pandemic. I am extremely disappointed that this bill doesn't recognize the increased number of people who are now food insecure and lack additional SNAP benefits that individuals and families desperately need. As we move forward, I will continue to fight for robust legislation to help individuals, families, and our communities and small businesses around the country.

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