Chairman Williams’ Bill to Go After Stolen Pandemic Loan Funds Heads to House Floor

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, released the following statement after his bill, H.R. 7129, the Put America on Commission Act of 2024, passed out of Committee.

“The SBA’s Office of Inspector General estimates that $200 billion dollars in fraud flowed through the pandemic lending programs,” said Chairman Williams. “We must think of innovative ways to help get this money back for the American people, and as a business owner, I know that incentives matter. This legislation will empower people to provide information to the Inspector General and be rewarded monetarily. Commission works, and I am happy to bring my private sector experience to the forefront within the Committee on Small Business.”

The text of the bill can be found here.

Background:

The Committee learned, through a hearing with the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General (SBA OIG) last year, that the SBA was subjected to an estimated $200 billion in COVID-19 fraudulent loans. This bill maximizes recovery efforts of fraudulent pandemic loan funds by establishing an Office of Whistleblower Awards within the SBA. Individuals that come forward with credible tips on stolen funds will receive a monetary award if the tip results in a conviction. This new office will be established within the SBA’s existing Office of Performance, Planning, and Chief Financial Officer.

All Republican Members of the House Committee on Small Business have signed on as original co-sponsors of this legislation:

Rep. Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman

Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03), Vice Chairman

Rep. Pete Stauber (MN-08)

Rep. Dan Meuser (PA-09)

Rep. Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)

Rep. Maria Salazar (FL-27)

Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01)

Rep. Jake Ellzey (TX-06)

Rep. Marc Molinaro (NY-19)

Rep. Mark Alford (MO-04)

Rep. Eli Crane (AZ-02)

Rep. Aaron Bean (FL-04)

Rep. Wesley Hunt (TX-38)

Rep. Nick LaLota (NY-01)

Rep. Celeste Maloy (UT-02)

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Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.