Congresswoman Simon Introduces First Bill

Oakland, CA –  Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12) recently introduced her first bill in Congress, “The Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act,” with Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX-25).  

This bipartisan bill amends the Small Business Act to prioritize small businesses in future opportunities. The bill prohibits individuals and entities who are convicted of financial miscount or who have made a false statement regarding grants from receiving non-disaster related financial assistance, such as grants and contracts, from the Small Business Administration.  

“The Assisting Small Businesses, Not Fraudsters Act” addresses the ongoing issue of fraud relating to the Small Business Administration’s COVID-19 programs including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).  Of her first bill, Congresswoman Simon said:

“We know just how hard the COVID-19 pandemic hit our small businesses and main streets across California’s 12th Congressional District. Many businesses that are vibrant pillars of our communities struggled and are still struggling to return. But during this time, some businesses also sought to take advantage of critical COVID-19 programs – preventing others from accessing the resources they deserved. That’s why my first bill prevents individuals or businesses who were convicted of financial fraud from receiving future support from the Small Business Administration.  

Congresswoman Simon also said, “As a Member of the House Small Business Committee, I’m focused on ensuring small businesses in CA-12 and across the U.S. have the resources they need to not only succeed financially, but also lift up the communities around them.”  

Congresswoman Simon is a member of the House Small Business Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.  

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