Representatives Burchett and Kim Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Help Reservist Small Business Owners

Statement

Last week, House Committee on Small Business members Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN) and Representative Andy Kim (D-NJ) introduced H.R. 3661, the Patriotic Employer Protection Act, which would strengthen Small Business Administration (SBA) programs that protect small business owners whose employees are members of the National Guard and Reserve deployed on active duty.

"Men and women in East Tennessee and across the United States serve in the National Guard and Reserve in defense of our nation, and we should support and protect them," said Rep. Burchett. "This bi-partisan bill provides economic security to Guard members and Reservists who are small business owners or small business employees. Small businesses drive our economy and service members guard our freedom, and the least we can do is protect these patriotic employers and employees when they're called into service."

The bill would allow the Military Reservist Economic Injury Disaster Loan and the Repayment Deferral for Active Duty Reservists programs to be used for Reservists being ordered to active duty for a period of more than 30 consecutive days.

"National Guard members and military reservists are a vital part of our national defense," said Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH). "This bipartisan legislation ensures that they and their businesses can receive support from SBA programs while they serve our country."

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