On the recordMarch 25, 2021
I rise in opposition to the Rubio amendment. The policy that Senator Rubio is objecting to is implemented by the Small Business Administration to help the underserved communities. During that 14-day period, 400,000 small businesses with 20 employees or less were able, at long last, to get PPP help. And almost half were first-time borrowers under the PPP program, those that had been shut out in the past. But, specifically, the Rubio amendment, if it were adopted--and it is wrong policy--would require the House to concur. The House is not in session for 2 weeks. That could take us beyond the 31st of March, and the program would end, costing hundreds of thousands of small businesses the opportunity that--some are now eligible for the first time; some are trying to figure out the calculations. So for all those reasons--and one last point: The Chamber of Commerce of the United States urges all of us to vote in favor of the underlying bill and oppose any amendment that would derail the expeditious approval of this measure. Let's follow the Chamber's advice. Let's vote down the Rubio amendment. Vote on Amendment No. 1405 The PRESIDING OFFICER. The question is on agreeing to the Rubio amendment.
