Gov. Kemp urges Congress to fund depleted Paycheck Protection Program

ATLANTA (41NBC/WMGT) – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is calling on Congress to fund the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), which ran out of money this week.

“While small businesses across the United States are reeling from the impact of COVID-19 on our economy, this is no time for partisan games,” Kemp said in a statement Friday afternoon.

The Paycheck Protection Program is a Small Business Administration loan that helps businesses keep their workforce employed during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis, according to sba.gov. “The Paycheck Protection Program is a loan designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses to keep their workers on the payroll,” the website says.

NBC News reported Thursday that the PPP had hit its $350 billion cap and was now out of money. The SBA announced it was no longer accepting anymore lenders or applications.

“The Paycheck Protection Program has provided a $9.5 billion lifeline to businesses right here in the Peach State,” Kemp continued. “Those funds give critical relief to job creators in Georgia and throughout the country, ensuring they can keep employees on the payroll, sustain operations, and ultimately weather the crisis.”

Governor Kemp said in his statement he joins “with President Trump, Leader McConnell, and Leader McCarthy in urging Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, and the Democrats to immediately return to Washington and replenish the Paycheck Protection Program.”

“Small businesses are the engine of our economy, and they will be a key component of our strategy to safely reopen in the coming weeks,” Kemp continued. “During these challenging times, we owe them nothing less than our absolute support.”