Rep. Vicky Hartzler Has Put Herself Ahead of Her Constituents 

Kansas City, MO (April 29, 2020) – Yesterday, it was reported that Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler’s family businesses had applied for and received Paycheck Protection Program loans. With the overwhelming interest in the program, legislation had been passed that would bar members of Congress or their family members from receiving the money intended for hard-hit industries. Missouri Democratic Party Executive Director Lauren Gepford made the following comment:

“One would hope Congresswoman Hartzler knew that Congress had passed legislation barring themselves and their families from receiving funding intended to help the industries hardest hit by COVID-19 survive the pandemic.. Hartzler took her hypocrisy to the next level by voting against the creation of a bi-partisan oversight committee to watch over the PPP funds. We need politicians who will put their constituents first, not themselves. Congresswoman Hartzler should return the funds she received so struggling Missouri businesses can have their fair shot – even if they aren’t owned by D.C. politicians.”

BACKGROUND:

• Columbia Daily Tribune: Hartzler-owned firms receive disaster loans

• Like many businesses, those owned by U.S. Rep. Vicky Hartzler and her husband, Lowell Hartzler, applied for and received Paycheck Protection Program loans to stay afloat during the coronavirus pandemic.
• The Paycheck Protection Program was created in the relief bill approved March 27 and given $349 billion for loans to businesses that kept employees on the payroll. The money may also be spent on expenses such as rent, mortgages and utilities, and if spent within eight weeks of receipt does not have to be repaid.
• Hartzler, R-Harrisonville, voted for the original legislation and last week voted to add $310 billion to the loan fund. She opposed a proposal to create a special Congressional oversight subcommittee to monitor spending of federal aid and the overall response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• There are provisions of the bill that bar federal officials from participating in programs created by the legislation.
• In the legislation signed March 27 by President Donald Trump, conflict of interest provisions bar the president, vice president, heads of executive branch departments, members of Congress or their spouses, children, or son- or daughter-in-law, “as determined under applicable common law,” from receiving money set aside for hard-hit industries such as airlines or hotels.

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