WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) released the following statement in response to letters sent by Select Committee on the Coronavirus Crisis Democrats scrutinizing the Paycheck Protection Program.

“When America’s small businesses needed emergency funding to survive the massive economic interruption caused by COVID-19, Congress – including all seven Democrats on the Select Committee – came together to pass the CARES Act, which developed the Paycheck Protection Program, to get businesses relief as quickly as possible. Our nation’s financial institutions, both large and small, have done an outstanding job over the past few months getting over $500 billion in loans out the door for small businesses who would have otherwise been forced to close, leaving employees and their families with no source of income. 

“Now, Select Committee Democrats are feigning concern over the loan process they themselves helped design and urged banks and businesses to use. Their demand for the personal and financial information of millions of Americans is another attempt to shame small business owners and financial institutions and attack the Administration.   

“There is still money in the PPP for struggling American businesses, and there are certainly still small businesses in need of help. Unfortunately, this latest effort to demonize users of the program only discourages business owners from accessing the assistance their employees so badly need.”