Rep. Williams’ Resolution to Address COVID-19 Pandemic Fraud Passes House Committee on Small Business

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, issued the following statement on Thursday following the passage of H.R. 5427, To prohibit individuals convicted of defrauding the Government from receiving any assistance from the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes, by a vote count of 22-0.

“When COVID-19 hit the United States, the SBA was tasked with taking on an oversized role to help save small businesses and our nation’s job creators. Unfortunately, the SBA failed to properly implement basic guardrails to protect these programs that allowed opportunistic criminals to take advantage of these emergency lending programs,” said Congressman Williams. “One of the main goals of this Committee has been to find solutions to recoup the stolen pandemic funds for the taxpayers and hold these fraudsters accountable. There’s still more work to be done, but this is a step in the right direction. I thank my colleagues on the Small Business Committee for supporting this resolution and look forward to its consideration on the House floor.”

###

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