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UNITED STATES SENATE
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, December 21, 2020
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CONTACT:
Natalie Yezbick (Cornyn), (202) 224-0704
Jahan Wilcox (Braun), (202) 224-4814
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Cornyn, Braun Praise Inclusion of PPP Loan Deduction for Small Businesses in Year-End COVID Relief Bill
Clarifies that Expenses Paid with Forgiven PPP Loan are Tax-Deductible
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Mike Braun (R-IN) praised the inclusion of the Small Business Expense Protection Act, which would clarify the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) so small businesses can deduct expenses paid with a forgiven PPP loan from their taxes, in the omnibus funding legislation:
“The Paycheck Protection Program has been a lifeline to small businesses in Texas struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic,” said Sen. Cornyn. “By clarifying that expenses paid with a forgiven PPP loan can still be deducted from small businesses’ taxes, we can help ensure small businesses won’t be hit with yet another hardship during an already difficult year.”
“As a Main Street Entrepreneur focused on solutions, I’ve introduced legislation in May to safeguard small businesses. The CARES Act was intended as a lifeline to small businesses, but forcing them to shoulder tax liability for these forgivable loans would be like throwing them a cinder block. I’m glad Senator Cornyn and I have been able to get this much needed fix past the finish line for the American People,” said Sen. Braun.
Background:
The intent of the Paycheck Protection Program, which was created in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, was to maximize small businesses’ ability to maintain liquidity, retain their employees, and recover from the pandemic as soon as possible. However, the IRS issued a notice that said small businesses cannot deduct these business expenses. This notice is contrary to congressional intent, which this legislation would clarify.
Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.
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JOHN CORNYN
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CONTACT: Drew Brandewie, (202) 224-0704
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United States Senator – Texas
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Libby Hambleton Sharp, (512) 461-7036
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For Immediate Release
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Tuesday, December 22, 2020
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Cornyn Passes 20 Texas Priorities in Water Infrastructure Bill
WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator John Cornyn released the following statement after twenty Texas priorities he advocated for in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 passed the Senate as a part of the omnibus funding bill:
“Texans will be safer from future storms with the authorization of these projects,” said Sen. Cornyn. “From studying flood risk to fortifying levees to improving ship channels, all Texans stand to benefit from the high priority infrastructure projects included in this bill.”
Sen. Cornyn’s priorities that are included in the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 are as follows:
- Authorizes the Houston Ship Channel Expansion Improvement Project.
- Authorizes the Jefferson County ecosystem restoration project.
- Authorizes the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, Brazos River Floodgates, and Colorado River Locks navigation project.
- Authorizes the Matagorda Ship Channel Improvement Project in Port Lavaca.
- Authorizes the Chacon Creek flood risk management project.
- Authorizes a new feasibility study for the Port Arthur and Orange County flood risk management project, including construction of improvements to interior drainage.
- Authorizes a feasibility study for the Chocolate Bayou flood risk management project.
- Authorizes project modifications for the Houston-Galveston Navigation Channels project.
- Authorizes a feasibility study for the Port of Victoria flood risk management project.
- Expedites the completion of the Buffalo Bayou feasibility study for flood risk management.
- Requires the Secretary of the Army to provide a written status update on efforts to address flooding at Wilson Creek and Sloan Creek in Fairview, Texas.
- Authorizes project modifications for the Port of Corpus Christi Channel Improvement project.
- Expedites completion of the Lake Whitney Reallocation Study for the reallocation of water supply storage.
- Expedites completion of the Aquilla Lake Reallocation Study for the reallocation of water supply storage.
- Expedites the completion of the Lower Rio Grande River feasibility study for flood risk management, ecosystem restoration, and water supply.
- Authorizes the USACE to participate in the repair and restoration of the eroding embankment at Lake Waco.
- Directs the USACE to assist El Paso County with a proposal to modify the authorized funding level for a water related infrastructure project.
- Assists Harris County Flood Control District in streamlining benefit-cost analyses for projects.
- Directs the USACE to identify specific engineering and maintenance deficiencies for levees across Texas and the nation, and to describe recommended remedies to correct each deficiency to ensure that critical levee performance is being achieved.
- Reauthorizes of the Rio Grande Environmental Management Program in Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado through 2029.
Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.
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JOHN CORNYN
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CONTACT: Drew Brandewie, (202) 224-0704
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United States Senator – Texas
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Natalie Yezbick, (202) 224-0704
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For Immediate Release
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Monday, December 21, 2020
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Cornyn Priorities, COVID Relief Pass in Government Funding Bill
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) supported the passage of the targeted coronavirus relief package and FY21 Omnibus Appropriations bill, which funds the federal government through September 30, 2021 and includes many priorities important to Texas:
Relief for Texans During the Pandemic:
- Provides direct financial assistance to Texans:
- Provides individuals making up to $75,000 with a $600 check and an additional $600 for each eligible child. A family of four making up to $150,000 will receive $2,400
- Extends the eviction moratorium until January 31, 2021 and provides $25 billion in temporary and targeted rental assistance for those who lost their source of income during the pandemic
- Expands unemployment insurance (UI) for Texas workers:
- Provides an extra $300 weekly federal UI benefit on top of the state maximum temporarily
- Assists the health care industry’s response:
- Provides $19.695 billion for the purchase, development, and production of vaccines and $8.75 billion for vaccine distribution, administration, and monitoring
- Provides $22.4 billion to assist states with testing and containment
- Reauthorizes the Community Health Centers program for three years and provides $1.68 billion in appropriated funds.
- Provides $3.25 billion for the Strategic National Stockpile of PPE and other critical supplies
- Provides $3 billion for the Provider Relief Fund
- Provides $4.25 billion for substance abuse and mental health treatment and prevention
- Supports Texans in rural areas:
- Includes $300 million to build out rural broadband
- Provides an additional $250 million for telehealth
- Provides $11.2 billion in funding for agricultural assistance to support farmers, ranchers, logging and timber, textile mills, and producers.
- Provides $1 billion in repurposed funding for agricultural losses due to previous natural disasters.
- Provides for Texas education, childcare, and nutrition:
- Provides $10 billion for childcare centers
- Allocates $82 billion in funding to support students, teachers, schools, and families, including:
- $54.3 billion to help elementary and secondary schools safely re-open or remain open;
- $22.7 billion to support students and institutions of higher education;
- And $4.1 billion as part of the Governors Fund to give states flexible funding to address students’ needs from early childhood through college
- Continues and provides additional waivers and flexibility for School Nutrition Programs, of which two-thirds of Texas school children participate in
- Provides $400 million in funding for the Emergency Food Assistance Program and $1.5 billion for the purchase of food and commodities to help Texas food banks meet unprecedented demand
- Includes a six-month increase in supplemental food benefits for low-income Texans
Supporting Texas Workers & Job Creators:
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP): Provides more than $250 billion to replenish the program, which provides loans to allow small businesses to maintain their payroll, hire back laid-off employees, and cover interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities
- Save Our Stages Act: Provides Small Business Administration grants totaling $15 billion for entertainment venue operators affected by COVID-19 stay-at-home orders in order to keep venues afloat, pay employees, and preserve a critical economic sector
- Small Business Expense Protection Act: Clarifies the Small Business Administration’s Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) so small businesses can deduct expenses paid with a forgiven PPP loan from their taxes
- Extension of the Donation Acceptance Program: Provides a one-year extension of this program promoting public-private partnerships to boost staffing and make infrastructure improvements at U.S. ports of entry without adding to the national deficit
Protecting Texas Children:
- Preventing Online Sales of E-Cigarettes to Children Act: Blocks online sales of electronic cigarettes to children
Strengthening Texas’ Energy Sector:
- Launching Energy Advancement and Development through Innovations for Natural Gas (LEADING) Act: Incentivizes research and development of carbon capture technology for natural gas to ensure a reliable, affordable, and environmentally sound energy supply
Preserving Texans’ History:
- National Museum of the American Latino Act: Authorizes the Smithsonian Institution to create a museum honoring American Latinos
Senator John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, is a member of the Senate Finance, Intelligence, and Judiciary Committees.
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