Rep. Williams’ Opposes Pelosi’s Progressive Payoff

Washington, D.C. Congressman Roger Williams (R-TX-25)opposed Speaker Pelosi's partisan COVID-19 relief package that directed 91% of relief funds to a democrat wish list, instead of struggling Americans. Less than 9% of the relief bill will go to critical COVID-19 health spending such as a national vaccination program, tracking, testing and esources to reopen. Democrats also continued their assault on conservative policies, rejecting two amendments proposed by Congressman Williams to prevent taxpayer dollars from being spent on abortions, and mandating the Small Business Administration (SBA) to prioritize discharging funds meant for music venues under the Special Venue Operator Grant (SVOG).

"The fact that Democrats discarded my amendments to protect life and help music venues shuttered due to the pandemic exposed the progressive priorities in their COVID-19 package. Pelosi's liberal wish list only puts 9% of funds toward COVID related relief items while the rest goes to bailing out blue states, funding Planned Parenthood, and mandating that businesses provide a $15 minimum wage. This package is nothing but a radical attempt by the democrats to advance their partisan agenda and hurt America's working class," said Congressman Williams. "I'm proud to work alongside my Republican colleagues to support hard-working Americans and businesses who are doing all they can to survive the COVID-19 pandemic and oppose Nancy Pelosi's efforts to please the far left in her caucus. I will continue to oppose costly legislation that ignores the priorities of Texas families. I stand ready to work across the aisle to provide temporary and targeted relief to Americans in need."

Congressman Williams' Amendments Rejected by House Democrats

Amendment #1 prohibits Planned Parenthood, or any of their entities and affiliates, from eligibility and thereby the use of funds from the Paycheck Protection Program. No tax dollars should ever be spent performing the horrific act of abortion, and Congress must make clear that Planned Parenthood is ineligible for PPP funds before the Biden administration takes action to have them included.

Amendment #2 Directs the Administrator of the SBA to prioritize any existing uncompleted rules or guidance stemming from the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (P.L. 116-260) before doing so for any rules, guidance, or expending amounts appropriated, to carry out a statutory program enacted on or after January 1, 2021. The Shuttered Venue Operators (SVO) grants were signed into law thanks to my bipartisan Save our Stages Act. The SBA has still not released SVO application guidance though the program was signed into law by President Trump nearly 6 weeks ago. We must not start new programs until we can execute the terms of existing ones.

Congressman Roger Williams represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas and serves as a member of the House Committee on Financial Services and as Vice Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee