Pub. 1 2021 Issue 5

8 | The Show-Me Banker Magazine Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District As you know, the two most notable lending programs the CARES Act gave life to are the PPP and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. You all have probably heard all you want about PPP. In one sense, it feels like a decade ago that Congress started working on the CARES Act. At the same time, it feels like only a few weeks ago, we discussed the formation of the PPP programs and the SBA’s new, outsized role in the government’s response. I’ve written about that role several times in this magazine, and many of us have spoken in person about it a few times over the last 18 months. As you know, the two most notable lending programs the CARES Act gave life to are the PPP and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program. You all have probably heard all you want about PPP. I do not doubt that you’re still working through the forgiveness process on some of your loans. I am here to help with that process in any way I can. As much of a hassle certain aspects of PPP have been, ultimately, it is an extremely successful program, and that is due to private sector involvement. On the other hand, the EIDL Program— a direct lending program with the SBA — is drowning in fraud and paralyzed by ineptitude. In my positions on the House Financial Services Committee and Small Business A VIEW FROM THE CAPITOL