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Palmer Signs Discharge Petition to Fight for Small Businesses

September 25, 2020
Press Release

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

Palmer Signs Discharge Petition to Fight for Small Businesses

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06) added his signature to a discharge petition that would force a vote on H.R. 8265, which would allow unused Paycheck Protection Program funds to be made available for small businesses. There is an estimated $137 billion remaining in the program that could be immediately available. The Paycheck Protection Program has kept thousands of small businesses open since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many are still in need as the economy continues to recover. Speaker Nancy Pelosi has repeatedly refused to hold a vote on further common-sense pandemic-related relief, holding American workers and businesses hostage until she gets trillions of dollars for far-left priorities.

“Speaker Pelosi has made her objectives abundantly clear,” Palmer said. “We could have negotiated and delivered immediate aid for small businesses and individuals weeks ago, but her leftist agenda always comes first. Many businesses are barely hanging, on anxiously awaiting the extension of the Paycheck Protection Program, but Pelosi is determined to hold them hostage to get her way. She would like to bail out states that were bankrupt before the pandemic and further a welfare agenda that is harmful to the economy. Today, I proudly signed a discharge petition to circumvent Pelosi’s control of the House floor and force a vote on a bill that would bring real relief to businesses struggling to survive the pandemic. It’s time for Members of Congress to stand up for small businesses and American workers since the Speaker clearly won’t. Small businesses across the country can’t wait.”

A discharge petition on H.R. 8265 was filed today by Rep. Jaime Herrera Butler (WA-03), and 218 signatures are needed to bring the bill to the House floor for a vote. H.R. 8265 was introduced on September 16 by Rep. Steve Chabot (OH-01).

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