OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

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

Floor Speech

Date: April 23, 2020
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. GIANFORTE. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of reopening the Paycheck Protection Program after an unnecessary lapse in funding.

In just 2 weeks after the launch, the program provided over 13,000 loans in Montana, totaling $1.4 billion. It has helped small businesses stay open and keep workers on the payroll.

But as the well quickly ran dry on this critical lifeline for small businesses and workers, the Speaker and the Senate Democratic Leader, Chuck Schumer, stood on the sidelines and failed to work with Republicans to keep this program running.

When Senate Majority Leader McConnell moved to increase funding, Democrats objected, refusing to allow immediate action. That is outrageous.

At last, we are doing the right thing by small businesses and workers, but it is overdue, and it has been needlessly held up with partisan games.

I urge my colleagues to stand with small businesses and workers today and pass the Paycheck Protection Program.

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