Livelihoods Are On The Line: Dr. Joyce Highlights Paycheck Protection Program Success Story in Bedford County, Urges Support for Extension

Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), a member of the House Small Business Committee, this week highlighted his support for small businesses and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Though the deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program assistance has passed, nearly $138 billion in funding remains unspent. Today, Dr. Joyce signed a discharge petition to force a vote on H.R. 8265, which would extend the Paycheck Protection Program until December 31, 2020 and offer a lifeline to small businesses in Pennsylvania and around the country.

At yesterday's Small Business Committee hearing on the Paycheck Protection Program, Dr. Joyce asked Small Business Administration (SBA) Chief of Staff William Manger to explain the process for reopening the Paycheck Protection Program. Mr. Program testified that the SBA could "flip a switch" and get much-needed funding to small businesses. Watch their full exchange.

Earlier this week, Dr. Joyce spoke on the House Floor to urge his colleagues to support an extension of the Paycheck Protection Program. Watch his full remarks.

Mr. Speaker, During National Small Business week, I join with my fellow Americans in honoring workers, entrepreneurs, and the small businesses community.

From farms and factories to shops and cafes, small businesses employ hardworking Americans and provide important goods and services to their neighbors.

In Pennsylvania and around the country, small businesses are not only the backbone of our economy they are the heart of our communities.

This year, they have faced extraordinary challenges. During the coronavirus crisis, many small businesses following federal, state, and local mandates have been forced to radically change the way they do business or even temporarily close their doors.

As jobs were put into jeopardy, Congress acted quickly to provide targeted relief to American families, workers, and small businesses. Under the CARES Act, the Paycheck Protection Program was enacted in record time. This unprecedented program served as a vital lifeline to millions of small businesses. Already, the Paycheck Protection Program has saved more than 50 million jobs across the country.

For those workers and their families, this policy is personal. Just last weekend, I stopped by Boyer's Orchard in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. As I was waiting to buy their famous honey crisp apples, I had the opportunity to speak with Matt and Ellen Boyer, and their son Drew all of whom work tirelessly to keep this family business running.

Like many farms and orchards, they had to make tough choices when they lost business during the coronavirus shutdown at no fault of their own. But, thankfully, they had support to make ends meet and, most importantly, to keep their hardworking team on payroll.

The Boyer family attributes the Paycheck Protection Program with helping them weather the storm and they even call this program a "godsend." Today, I am happy to report that the orchard's doors are open and business is booming and I can confirm that the apples were well worth the wait.

As we celebrate the success of the Boyer family, I also recognize that there are small businesses still struggling under burdensome state and local mandates.

The deadline to apply for Paycheck Protection Program support has passed and yet, too many businesses remain closed or restricted. Some small business leaders are wondering how long they can survive. And, frankly, if we do not act, we risk losing them permanently.

Most of our small businesses have been built by hardworking families over generations. Will Congress let this be the end? Will we allow families on Main Street to be used as bargaining chips in Washington, D.C. negotiations?

Mr. Speaker, we simply cannot permit our small businesses to be wiped out by a virus. This is a time for choosing, and Congress must put politics aside and extend a lifeline to these Americans.

Congressman Steve Chabot, the top Republican on the House Small Business Committee, has introduced commonsense legislation that would reopen the Paycheck Protection Program, free up over 137 billion dollars of unspent funds, and extend this program until the end of the year. This plan makes good sense, and I encourage every Member of Congress to support it.

If 2020 has taught us anything, it is to plan for the unexpected. While many circumstances beyond our control remain uncertain, Congress has an opportunity to offer small businesses some security and most importantly we have a chance to offer hope to these hardworking Americans.

As my friend Congressman Chabot said earlier this week, "Our economy is depending upon America's small businesses, and America's small businesses are depending upon us."

This Small Business Week, there are livelihoods on the line. American families are counting on us. American workers are counting on us. It's time that we deliver for them. Thank you, and I yield.

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