Nydia M. Velazquez: “This bill prohibits anyone convicted of defrauding the government with respect to the SBA's pandemic programs from…”

“This bill prohibits anyone convicted of defrauding the government with respect to the SBA's pandemic programs from receiving loan disaster financial assistance from the SBA. While there may be disagreement on the actual estimates of fraud in the pandemic programs, it is clear we need to work together to protect their integrity. Administrator Guzman has taken steps to put strong controls into place that would prohibit anyone convicted of fraud from receiving financial assistance, and this bill will ensure those controls remain in place with future administrations. I thank Chairman Williams, Mr. Mfume, and Mr. Bean for their efforts, and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5427, and I yield back the balance of my time.”