[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 132 (Wednesday, July 28, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E834]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    LABOR, HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, EDUCATION, AGRICULTURE, RURAL 
   DEVELOPMENT, ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT, FINANCIAL SERVICES AND 
   GENERAL GOVERNMENT, INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, 
  VETERANS AFFAIRS, TRANSPORTATION, AND HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT 
                        APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2022

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                               speech of

                       HON. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 27, 2021

  Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in 
support of my amendment number 131 to En Bloc 5 of H.R. 4502.
  My amendment to the Financial Services and General Government 
division addresses the lack of transparency for applicants and 
recipients of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Economic Injury 
Disaster Loan (EIDL), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), and other 
critical SBA programs.
  These SBA loans saved thousands of jobs and stopped businesses from 
shuttering their doors throughout this crippling pandemic.
  But all too often, I hear from my constituents that they have been 
left in the dark as they try to access and apply for these programs.
  Currently, the loan application process does not allow constituents 
to view the status of their application.
  Especially in such a challenging year, the last thing small business 
owners need is confusion and uncertainty.
  My office was able to step in and help hundreds of constituents 
access their cash, but the lack of transparency and access to real-time 
updates on their status from the SBA slowed the process down.
  This amendment will help cut through red tape and get folks the money 
they need to keep their doors open and their employees on payroll.
  As we look ahead and work toward continuing our economic recovery, 
it's time to bring the SBA into the 21st Century.
  We created these SBA programs to support Americans in their greatest 
time of need. This amendment will continue to respond to the direct 
needs of small businesses in the Hudson Valley and in every district 
across the Nation.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this amendment.

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