Palmer Calls for Congress to Reconvene, Criticizes Pelosi for Playing Politics

For Immediate Release
Media Contact: Elizabeth Hance (202) 225-4921

Palmer Calls for Congress to Reconvene, Criticizes Pelosi for Playing Politics

Birmingham, AL – The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), enacted as part of the CARES Act (H.R. 6481), is helping save jobs and support small businesses during the COVID-19 crisis. As of today, the program's funding has run out. Knowing this was coming, Republicans in Congress have been trying to authorize more funding over the last week, but Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and other Democrats in Congress have blocked each attempt. Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) released the following statement today:

"It is time for Congress to go back Washington and do what is necessary to get the country back to work. Speaker Nancy Pelosi is doing a great disservice to Americans by refusing to reconvene Congress," Palmer said. "There are small businesses all over the nation that will never re-open, and others are barely hanging on, hoping and praying that they will be able to reopen soon. Many of these businesses were still in the process of receiving or applying for a loan to save their employees and businesses, but now they can't because the Paycheck Protection Program is out of money.

"The Trump Administration has asked for an additional $250 billion to help save these small businesses. It's disgraceful that Pelosi is blocking the legislation simply to advance her political agenda. She shows how completely out of touch she is by staying safe in her plush kitchen, eating ice cream that is $12 per pint, while millions of Americans line up at food banks to put basic food on their tables. People expect Congress to act to reopen our country so that they can go back to work to care for their families and save their businesses. And they should demand it. All across America, health care workers and first responders are courageously doing their jobs. Members of Congress should be doing the same. The country expects us to lead, and it is time for us to get back to Washington."

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