Rep. Cisneros Joins Bipartisan Call for Congress to Support Nonprofits in Next Coronavirus Relief Proposal

WASHINGTON, DC - Representative Gilbert R. Cisneros, Jr. (CA-39) joined nearly 70 lawmakers in a bipartisan call for congressional leadership to provide relief to nonprofits devastated by the coronavirus-induced economic crisis. To view the letter sent to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, click here.

“Nonprofits have been working hard to help our communities from the start of this pandemic. However, many are struggling to keep their heads above water,” said Rep. Cisneros. “In early May, I introduced a bipartisan bill to expand PPP for nonprofits, local chambers of commerce, and other organizations. We cannot leave them behind. Once again, I join my Republican and Democratic colleagues in calling for relief for nonprofits devastated by this pandemic.”

Rep. Cisneros’ push to bring relief to nonprofits comes after the Federal Reserve released the terms of its Main Street Lending Program (MSLP) for nonprofits, which entail numerous financial restrictions that make the loan program unfeasible for most nonprofit organizations engaged in the fight against COVID-19. To ensure nonprofits are not left behind during the current economic crisis, the lawmakers are calling on the next COVID-19 relief package to include a mandate that the Federal Reserve offer a low-cost loan option tailored to the unique needs of nonprofit organizations and backstopped by the Treasury Department to allow the loan to be forgiven solely for mid-sized nonprofits who have been eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program.

Organizations supporting the letter include: Alliance for Strong Families and Communities; Alzheimer's Association; American Alliance of Museums; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; American Heart Association; American Lung Association; Americans for the Arts; The Arc of the United States; Association of Art Museum Directors; Association of Zoos and Aquariums; Big Brothers Big Sisters of America; Ducks Unlimited; ETS; Goodwill Industries International; Habitat for Humanity International; Independent Sector; JDRF; Jewish Federations of North America; League of American Orchestras; Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; Lutheran Services in America; Lyric Opera of Chicago; March of Dimes; National Council of Nonprofits; National Multiple Sclerosis Society; The Nonprofit Alliance; PATH; Union of Orthodox Jewish Congregations of America; United Way Worldwide; YMCA of the USA; and YWCA USA. 

On May 6th, Rep. Cisneros introduced the bipartisan Local Chamber, Tourism, and 501(c)(6) Protection Act would expand PPP eligibility to include 501(c)(6) organizations with 300 or fewer employees to ensure they can continue supporting our main street businesses and local economies.