SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION DOUBLES DOWN ON EXCLUDING MILLIONS OF AMERICANS WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS FROM PAYCHECK PROTECTION PROGRAM

Justice Action Network’s Inimai Chettiar: SBA Subverting Will of President Trump and Congress

(Washington, D.C.) - Following yesterday’s announcement by Treasury Secy. Steve Mnuchin that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will not make further changes regarding the CARES Act’s Paycheck Protection Program at this time, and will continue to deny access to small business owners with criminal records, Justice Action Network’s Federal Legislative and Policy Director Inimai Chettiar released the following statement:

“The decision by bureaucrats at the Small Business Administration to exclude millions of Americans from the Paycheck Protection Program is appalling, and insults the bipartisan work of the President and Congress to support second chances and lift up people who have turned their lives around.”

Chettiar continued, “During this unprecedented crisis, the SBA should be supporting hard-working small business owners and their employees. Instead, they’re subverting President Trump’s agenda and denying assistance to people who have turned away from crime, started a business, created jobs and become contributing members of society.

“Nearly a third of our country’s adult population has a criminal record, and those who have embraced the American dream and started small businesses deserve our support, not our scorn. We urge the Small Business Administration to reverse course, heed the words of the President and leaders on both sides of the aisle, and open emergency assistance to all small business owners, including those who have paid the price for their mistakes and turned their lives around.”