Rep. Schweikert says small business relief loans could resume by Friday

PHOENIX – U.S. Rep. David Schweikert of Arizona said Wednesday that the depleted coronavirus relief small business loan program could be back in action by Friday.

The Phoenix Republican also said the $483 billion package that would replenish the Paycheck Protection Program was long overdue.

“No matter where you are ideologically, you should be enraged this took a couple of weeks,” Schweikert told KTAR News 92.3 FM’s The Broomhead Show.

“The Senate, the House, Republican, Democrat – I thought we had an agreement two weeks ago.”

Schweikert blamed the delay on political wrangling over “desires for Christmas trees.”

He said he’s flying back to Washington for Thursday’s expected vote in the House, and if things go as planned the small business loan program could be up and running again before the weekend.

“If everything works perfect, you could actually see people who are in the queue for their payroll protection loan … and even some other moneys that are out there for testing and hospitals, being available as early as Friday,” Schweikert said.

The bill, which would also pump more money into hospitals and testing programs, passed the Senate on Tuesday and is expected to pass the House on Thursday. President Donald Trump has said he would sign it into law.

Most of the new funding, $331 billion, would go to Paycheck Protection Program that ran out of money last week.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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