Rep. Mann Demands Answers Regarding Misuse of $200 Billion of COVID Relief at Small Business Administration

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Tracey Mann (KS-01), member of the House Small Business Committee, released the following statement in response to today's Committee's hearing to review the U.S. Small Business Administration's (SBA) misuse of COVID-19 relief funds.

"The Biden Administration has once again failed to responsibly utilize American taxpayer dollars,” said Rep. Mann. “As a result, his Small Business Administration cannot account for $200 billion worth of COVID-19 relief funds. Small businesses are the backbone of our country and economy. During the pandemic, many of them struggled to stay afloat, and some were forced to close their doors permanently. Congress took steps to aid Main Street as quickly as possible, yet President Biden’s SBA failed to incorporate appropriate guardrails or to conduct rigorous oversight to prevent fraudsters from accessing billions of dollars. Instead of getting to the bottom of the problem, SBA refuses to address how this massive theft occurred or put a plan in place to recover the stolen taxpayer dollars. This is unacceptable. President Biden’s Small Business Administration should take a lesson from Main Street on accounting and business. American people deserve answers now.”

In a recent watchdog report by SBA Inspector General Hannibal "Mike" Ware, it is reported that $200 billion in Covid relief funds were fraudulently dispersed. Inspector General Ware testified before the Committee today.

The House Small Business Committee invited the Honorable Isabella Casillas Guzman, Administrator of the Small Business Administration, to testify. She declined to attend.

Rep. Mann represents the First Congressional District of Kansas. The Big First District is home to more than 200,000 small businesses, and more than 80% of employees in the district are employed by small businesses.

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