Lexington, Ky – U.S. Congressman Andy Barr (KY-06) received the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Guardian of Small Business Award today.  This is the most prestigious award that NFIB gives to Members of Congress for supporting legislation helpful to small businesses and opposing legislation that is harmful to small businesses.

“From the beginning of the pandemic, I advocated a powerful fiscal response from Congress to support our small business owners during these unprecedented challenges,” said Congressman Barr.  “That culminated in Congress providing $60 billion in Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and $530 billion in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to small businesses, including over $5.2 billion to small businesses in Kentucky.  I am honored to receive the NFIB’s Guardian of Small Business Award and I will continue fighting to protect small businesses as well as the jobs and families they support.”

“The NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award is awarded to lawmakers who small businesses can truly count on,” said Kevin Kuhlman, NFIB Vice President of Federal Government Relations.  “These Members of Congress are dedicated supporters of the key issues that our members are concerned about and have proven themselves to be real champions for small business.  Our policy positions are driven by our members, and we report NFIB Key Votes back to our membership.  We are proud to recognize Congressman Andy Barr for earning this distinction in the 116th Congress by taking pro-small business votes supporting financial assistance programs and tax relief and opposing new regulations and increased labor costs.  Small business owners across the country need their support now more than ever during these unprecedented times, and we are grateful to Congressman Barr for his leadership.”

As a senior Member on the House Financial Services Committee (FSC), Congressman Barr played a key role in developing the PPP, delivering more than $530 billion in forgivable loans to save millions of small businesses and jobs for employees nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic.  Congressman Barr also led the effort to simplify the PPP loan forgiveness application, and earlier this month the U.S. Small Business Administration and U.S. Department of Treasury announced the simplification of the loan forgiveness process for loans $50,000 or less in value.  Loans $50,000 or less account for almost 70% of all PPP loans in total.

 

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