Letter to the Hon. Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, the Hon. Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader, the Hon. Nydia Velázquez, Chair of the House Small Business Committee, and the Hon. Steve Chabot, Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee - Crow, Perlmutter Lead Letter to House Leadership about 501(c)(6) SBA Programs

Letter

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader McCarthy, Chairwoman Velázquez, and Ranking Member Chabot:

As representatives from the State of Colorado, we appreciate the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for our local businesses who are struggling during this unprecedented time. Unfortunately, however, our local chambers of commerce--501(C)(6) organizations--remain ineligible for assistance. We appreciate provisions in Section 1102 of the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act that cover 501(C)(3) non-profits and 501(c)(19) veterans' organizations--all of whom need this cash infusion badly.

We have also heard from our local chambers of commerce that they have been forced to lay off staff, cut hours, and are facing immense challenges in accomplishing their critical mission of bringing businesses together and sharing critical resources and information. These business organizations are an important resource bringing our Main Street Economy together. We simply cannot afford to let them shut their doors during this challenging time.

In any future legislation, we request Section 1102 of the CARES Act be amended to include 501(C)(6) business organizations like our local chambers of commerce as among those eligible for assistance under the PPP.

Thank you for your hard work giving the American people a leg up during this difficult time. We

appreciate your consideration of our request.