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[Pages H4887-H4888]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from
Pennsylvania (Mr. Joyce) for 5 minutes.
Mr. JOYCE of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, during National Small
Business Week, I join with my fellow Americans in honoring workers,
entrepreneurs, and the small business community.
From farms and factories to shops and cafes, small businesses employ
hardworking Americans and provide important goods and services to their
neighbors. In Pennsylvania and around the country, small businesses are
not only the backbone of our economy, they are the heart our
communities.
This year, they have faced extraordinary challenges. During the
coronavirus crisis, many small businesses, following Federal, State,
and local mandates, have been forced to radically change the way they
do business or even temporarily close their doors.
As jobs were put into jeopardy, Congress quickly acted to provide
targeted relief to American families, workers, and small businesses.
Under the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program was enacted in
record time. This unprecedented program served as a vital lifeline to
millions of small businesses. Already, the Paycheck Protection Program
has saved more than 50 million jobs across our country. For those
workers and their families, this policy is personal.
Just last weekend, I stopped by Boyer Orchards in Bedford County. As
I was waiting to buy their famous apples, I had the opportunity to
speak to my fellow Penn Staters Matt and Ellen Boyer and their sons and
all who work for them tirelessly to keep this family business running.
Like many farms and orchards, they had tough choices when they lost
business during the coronavirus shutdown, through no fault of their
own; but, thankfully, they had the support to make ends meet and, most
importantly, to keep their hardworking team on the payroll.
The Boyer family attributes the Paycheck Protection Program with
helping them weather the storm, and they even called this program a
godsend.
Today, I am happy to report that the orchard is open and business is
booming and the apples are plentiful. I can confirm that they were well
worth the wait.
As we celebrate the success of the Boyer family, I also recognize
that
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there are small businesses that are still struggling under the
burdensome State and local mandates.
The deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program support has,
unfortunately, passed, and yet too many businesses remain closed or
restricted. Some small business leaders are wondering how long they can
survive. And, frankly, if we do not act, we risk losing them
permanently.
Most of our small businesses have been built by hardworking families
over generations. Will Congress let this be their end? Will we allow
families on Main Street to be used as bargaining chips in Washington?
Mr. Speaker, we cannot permit small businesses to be wiped out by a
virus. This is a time for choosing, and we in Congress must put
politics aside and extend a lifeline to the American small businesses.
Congressman Steve Chabot, the top Republican on the House Small
Business Committee, has introduced commonsense legislation that would
reopen the Paycheck Protection Program, free up over $137 billion of
unspent funds, and extend this program until the end of this year. This
plan makes sense, and I encourage every Member of Congress to support
it.
If 2020 has taught us anything, it is to plan for the unexpected.
While many circumstances beyond our control remain uncertain, Congress
has an opportunity now to offer small businesses security, and, most
important, we have the chance to offer hope to these hardworking
Americans.
As my friend Congressman Chabot said earlier this week, our economy
is depending upon America's small businesses, and American small
businesses are depending on us.
This Small Business Week, there are livelihoods that are on the line.
American families are counting on us. American workers are counting on
us. It is time that we deliver for them.
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