Newhouse, Other Lawmakers Sign Letter Asking for PPP Deduction

4th District Representative Dan Newhouse was among fifteen lawmakers who recently penned a bipartisan letter to Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The letter urged the inclusion of provisions to ensure small businesses can maximize their Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding in the next COVID relief package.

Newhouse said the move would be a common sense solution that would bolster small businesses to get them through the pandemic. The idea is that small businesses could deduct ordinary business expenses paid with PPP funds.

"Even though we are not going through the normal amendment process, by sending a letter to leadership explaining our desire, I think that that's going to be helpful in getting something included in a negotiated conference situation like we have going on," Newhouse explained.

The letter was signed by twelve Republican lawmakers and three Democrats.

Congressional Democrats and White House officials still appear to be far apart in their negotiations over the next COVID relief package. The Paycheck Protection Program is set to expire Saturday.