The Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (H.R. 266) was the fourth coronavirus aid package that Congress passed. It was primarily passed to replenish the funds of and give additional lending power to the Small Business Administration and its Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The PPP was originally established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, (H.R. 748), the third and massive $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus package previously passed by voice vote in the House.
The House passed H.R. 266 on April 23, 2020 by a vote of 388 to 5 (Roll Call 104). We have assigned pluses to the nays because nowhere in the Constitution is the federal government authorized to disburse loans to small businesses or cover the salaries of laid-off employees. It should never be the responsibility of the federal government to bail out businesses or people forced out of business or work.
