Crow, Perlmutter Lead Letter to House Leadership about 501(c)(6) SBA Programs

U.S. Reps. Jason Crow (CO-06) and Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) today sent a bipartisan letter with Reps. Scott Tipton, Joe Neguse, and Rep. Doug Lamborn to Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Velázquez, and Small Business Committee Ranking Member Steve Cabot about the need to include local chambers of commerce - 501(C)(6) organizations - within the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) the next COVID-19 relief package.

The letter addresses the concerns from local chambers of commerce who are having to close their doors and cut staff because they are ineligible for assistance and requests.

In the letter, Crow and Perlmutter write, "We have also heard from our local chambers of commerce that they have been forced to lay off staff, cut hours, and are facing immense challenges in accomplishing their critical mission of bringing businesses together and sharing critical resources and information. These business organizations are an important resource bringing our Main Street Economy together. We simply cannot afford to let them shut their doors during this challenging time.

"In any future legislation, we request Section 1102 of the CARES Act be amended to include 501(C)(6) business organizations like our local chambers of commerce as among those eligible for assistance under the PPP."

The full text of the letter is available below:

Dear Speaker Pelosi, Majority Leader McCarthy, Chairwoman Velázquez, and Ranking Member Chabot:

As representatives from the State of Colorado, we appreciate the creation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) for our local businesses who are struggling during this unprecedented time. Unfortunately, however, our local chambers of commerce—501(C)(6) organizations—remain ineligible for assistance. We appreciate provisions in Section 1102 of the Coronavirus Aid, Recovery, and Economic Security ("CARES") Act that cover 501(C)(3) non-profits and 501(c)(19) veterans' organizations—all of whom need this cash infusion badly.

We have also heard from our local chambers of commerce that they have been forced to lay off staff, cut hours, and are facing immense challenges in accomplishing their critical mission of bringing businesses together and sharing critical resources and information. These business organizations are an important resource bringing our Main Street Economy together. We simply cannot afford to let them shut their doors during this challenging time.

In any future legislation, we request Section 1102 of the CARES Act be amended to include 501(C)(6) business organizations like our local chambers of commerce as among those eligible for assistance under the PPP.

Thank you for your hard work giving the American people a leg up during this difficult time. We

appreciate your consideration of our request.

Sincerely,