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Cole Signs Discharge Petition to Allow Vote on PPP Extension

September 25, 2020

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) today signed a discharge petition led by Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03) calling for a vote on H.R. 8265, to extend the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through the end of the year and release roughly $135 billion of unspent funds provided by Congress for the program. Authored by House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Steve Chabot (OH-01), H.R. 8265 would also modify the application process and enable certain eligible businesses to apply for a second forgivable loan.

"It is disappointing that Republicans must resort to a discharge petition to pressure Speaker Pelosi to free up money already provided and intended to aid small businesses struggling because of the coronavirus pandemic," said Cole. "Since it was created, the Paycheck Protection Program has helped millions of small businesses keep their doors open and their workers employed. As the race for a vaccine continues in order to restore our way of life, Congress should ensure vital and existing PPP aid remains available. Indeed, it is simply commonsense to renew the program so that it can help even more American job creators weather the storm. This is not and should not be a controversial or partisan issue. It is a matter of protecting American livelihoods that remain at risk because of a deadly virus that originated in China. I urge Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats to allow a vote on this simple PPP extension legislation."

For the discharge petition to allow consideration of and a vote on the legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives, it must receive 218 signatures from lawmakers. Signatures can be collected on a rolling basis throughout this Congress.

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