1. United States
2. Ga.
3. Letter

I am writing to you as a constituent and small business owner deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures taken to mitigate its spread. During this crisis, many small businesses like mine were forced to take Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) to survive after government-mandated shutdowns disrupted normal operations. I am urging you to support legislation that forgives EIDL loans, similar to the forgiveness granted to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. While both the EIDL and PPP programs were vital lifelines, there is a glaring disparity in how these programs were treated. PPP loans, totaling approximately $793 billion, were overwhelmingly forgiven, recognizing the unprecedented burdens placed on small businesses. In contrast, the EIDL program, which issued $378 billion in loans, remains a debt burden for businesses that are still recovering. EIDL recipients had no choice but to take on this debt under dire circumstances. Unlike the PPP, EIDL funds must be fully repaid, with interest, despite businesses having endured the same hardships. The structure of these loans—long-term debt obligations—does not reflect the spirit of relief that these programs were intended to provide. Small businesses remain the backbone of our economy, yet many are now struggling under the weight of these loans, which continue to hinder their recovery. Forgiving EIDL loans would level the playing field, ensuring that all businesses receive equitable support after surviving a government-mandated crisis. It would also provide an economic boost, allowing businesses to reinvest in growth rather than being constrained by repayments. I respectfully request that you champion this issue and advocate for the forgiveness of COVID-related EIDL loans. Such a measure would honor the intent of pandemic relief programs and help businesses fully recover from the challenges of the past few years. Thank you for your attention to this matter and your ongoing service to our community. I would greatly appreciate your support and any updates on actions you can take or plan to take on this issue.