Members of Congress Petition Biden For More Small Business COVID Relief
February 11, 2022
Members of Congress are urging Biden to pass a targeted small business relief package for industries that were hit the hardest by the Omicron Surge. Programs such as the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and Shuttered Venue Operators Grants program are being pushed to reopen. Businesses that did not receive initial funding and those that need a second round of funding would both be eligible.
It is further being asked that at-risk sectors centered on in-person gatherings be made eligible for federal assistance. This includes travel and fitness industries and businesses that offer indoor recreation and group activities.
The petitioners are concerned with two things: (1) that a surge in business closures may aggravate the high prices that communities are already facing and (2) That reduced in-person gatherings may have led to a large number of business closures and that a post-Omicron demand for them in the spring in company with significant new supply constraints is an issue that could arise.
The last request made was that the American Rescue Plan’s tax credits available to small businesses to cover earned sick leave benefits for employees affected by COVID-19 be extended.
Two other popular relief programs, PPP and EIDL, have already wound down. The EIDL program just came to a close at the end of January.
Khloe Kardashian Has $1.3M PPP Loan Forgiven Despite Her $50M Net Worth
February 8, 2022
Khloe Kardashian’s online clothing brand Good American, founded in 2016 along with co-founder Emma Grede, was approved for a $1.3 million PPP loan on April 14 of 2020. The loan was fully forgiven on March 31 of 2021.
Paycheck Protection Program loans were intended for small businesses struggling due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Good American, despite its celebrity backing, appears to have legitimately claimed that the money was going to be used for necessities such as rent, utilities, payroll, and healthcare.
Khloe is not the only wealthy celebrity that took advantage of PPP loans. As stated in the Tampa Bay Times, Kanye West received a PPP loan ranging from $2 million to $5 million for his clothing-and-sneaker brand, Yeezy.
Another example is Reese Witherspoon’s southern themed clothing brand, Draper James. The company was granted $350,000 and $1 million.
Bachelor and Bachelorette stars became involved as well. Tayshia Adams, who starred as a Bachelorette co-lead in 2020, received a $20,833 loan for her one-person LLC, Tayshia Adams Media.
Lauren Burnham Luyendyk and Arie Luyendyk Jr., a couple who married following the 2018 Bachelor season, were given a $20,830 loan for their company Instagram Husband, reported by Vulture.
Fans were frustrated when Khloe advertised a sale on the brand’s line in April of 2020 that consisted of a 30% discount. It was viewed as offensive in the context of the global economy grinding to a halt
According to The U.S. Sun, social media platforms were filled with opinions, “It’s still too much… seriously right now is not the time to advertise your ‘sales’ most people don’t have money for jeans right now…”
Another expressed, “Not any ill will towards you by any means but can you possibly raise awareness for those that need it most?”
