U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) is leading an effort to call on Congressional leadership to provide new funding to replenish the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) disaster loan program.
After three hurricanes that tore across the southern United States this fall, the SBA announced that it will no longer be able to make new offers of assistance to affected small businesses until additional funds are appropriated by Congress.
Buchanan is among several lawmakers who sent a letter to Congressional leaders, asking them to provide the necessary funding to the program.
“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and in times of crisis, they need our full support to rebuild and recover,” Buchanan said. “The SBA’s disaster loan program is a lifeline for thousands of small businesses working to recover from recent natural disasters, and without additional funding, many will face an uncertain future. Congress must act swiftly to ensure these critical resources are available so that small businesses can continue to grow, create jobs and drive economic recovery.”
Along with Buchanan, the letter was signed by U.S. Reps. Rick Allen (R-GA), James Baird (R-IN), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Jerry Carl (R-AL), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Jeff Jackson (D-NC), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Laurel Lee (R-FL), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Brian Mast (R-FL), Richard McCormick (R-GA), Cory Mills (R-FL), Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), Greg Murphy (R-NC), Zach Nunn (R-IA), María Elvira Salazar (R-FL), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Pete Stauber (R-MN), Greg Steube (R-FL), Jeff Van Drew (D-NJ), Mike Waltz (R-FL), and Randy Weber (R-TX).
“While our constituents have been resilient in the face of these catastrophic storms, they require the full support of the federal government to help them get back on their feet and help our communities and economy recover,” the lawmakers wrote in the letter. “Our constituents are depending on clear Congressional action and cannot afford any extended disruptions in funding for this proven and successful program.”