On the recordMarch 5, 2021
I oppose this motion to recommit. This moves us in the wrong direction. We have had bipartisan support recognizing that those who have been convicted of crime, once they paid their price, should be able to participate in our society. The motion to recommit would suggest that someone who may have participated in a rally while they were in college 15 years ago and has a perfectly clear record could be prevented from participating in the SBA programs. That is moving in the wrong direction. I hope we would have strong rejection of this amendment. Mr. President, I want to correct the record or at least clarify the record for Senator Lankford. He raised the point in regard to administrative funds being made available to the SBA. There was a small amount, $70 million, put into the program. That is additional funds. The EIDL loan program is $200 billion worth of loans, so it is a much larger program, and that was just some additional funds that were being put into the program. The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Louisiana. The Senator has 6 seconds.
