April 20th, 2020
The Honorable Donald Trump
President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President:
This afternoon at your briefing, you were asked a question regarding the ability of small businesses owned by justice-involved people to access aid under the Payroll Protection Program. At present, all small businesses that are partially-owned by someone who has had a criminal conviction in the previous five years are automatically excluded, as are people who are on community supervision. People who have made mistakes, paid their debts to society, and become entrepreneurs should be lauded, not penalized. Yet, the current approach to the PPP would create yet another collateral consequence for those wishing to successfully re-enter society to overcome.
Our respective organizations sent the following letter to Secretary Mnuchin, Administrator Carranza, Leader McConnell and Speaker Pelosi urging the Administration to take action on the Small Business Administration’s Interim Final Rule. Knowing that small business plays a significant role in our American economy, we would appreciate your support of including small business owners who have earned their second chance for consideration of eligibility for the Paycheck Protection Program. On
March 31, 2020, you declared that the month of April would be proclaimed as Second Chances Month, with respect to your proclamation we respectfully request that your Administration recommend the inclusion of those small business owners who have paid their debt to society and earned a second chance. Thank you for your attention.
Respectfully,
