Ernst, Paul Demand Answers on Planned Parenthood Receiving Millions in PPP Funding
Transparency push comes after the Biden administration stonewalled previous oversight efforts.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and U.S. Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Chair Rand Paul (R-Ky.) asked the Small Business Administration (SBA) to share how the Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) unlawfully received millions of dollars in funding from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and had 34 loans forgiven by the Biden administration.
Ernst and Paul have repeatedly demanded answers over how the funding was approved, and loans were forgiven despite PPFA being ineligible to receive PPP funds but were stonewalled at every turn by the Biden administration.
“On May 19, 2020, SBA notified a number of PPFA affiliates that they had wrongfully applied for 38 PPP loans totaling more than $80 million dollars. SBA determined that these local affiliates of PPFA were ineligible for PPP loans under the applicable affiliation rules and size standards and that the loans they received should be returned. Despite this determination, the SBA, under the Biden administration, approved further loans in 2021 totaling nearly $40 million,” wrote the senators.
“Over the years, we’ve repeatedly sought out this information. During a Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship hearing on March 24, 2021, we questioned then-Associate Administrator of SBA’s Office of Capital Access, Patrick Kelley, about the new information suggesting Planned Parenthood affiliates had received second draw loans despite the agency’s previous determination that these entities were ineligible. Mr. Kelley testified that the SBA had not reversed the longstanding application of affiliation rules or changed any rule related to affiliation. Following this, we sent multiple letters on April 15, 2021, May 10, 2021, May 20, 2021, and again on April 26, 2022, requesting further information. However, SBA failed to provide the required information,” the senators continued.
Click here to view the letter.
Background:
Ernst has introduced legislation to defund Planned Parenthood by prohibiting it from receiving federal funding.
Senator Ernst’s unwavering commitment to protecting the rights of the unborn recently earned her an “A+” on the Susan B. Anthony List National Pro-Life Scorecard.
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