Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a Senior Member of the House Committees on Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Budget, issued this statement urging Texas small businesses to apply for small business grants made possible through my introduction of H.R. 3990, the Small Business Hurricane Harvey Recovery Grants Bill:

“Hurricane Harvey ravaged Houston and at the end of this weather event, it was the nation’s largest housing disaster. All told, almost 350,000 households were impacted or affected. Right after the storm, when the harsh light of day revealed the full scope of damage wrought, I introduced H.R. 3686, the Hurricane Harvey Supplemental Appropriations Act, which would have provided $174 billion to help those impacted by the storm and their communities to recover, in a recovery plan which was modeled after the recovery plan designed to rehabilitate New York City after the September 11, 2001 attacks. My legislation ensured funding for the Housing and Community Development Fund; the FEMA Disaster Relief Fund; the construction fund for the Army Corps of Engineers, Small Business Disaster Loans, Employment and Training Services and the Legal Services Corporation. Recognizing that it would be difficult for small businesses to repay major loans, I also introduced H.R. 3990, the Small Business Hurricane Harvey Recovery Grants Bill, which aimed to assist small businesses in their recovery following the storm to make sure that neighborhood businesses are able to recover alongside the communities their serve. These small businesses are now eligible for grants, ranging in amounts from $50,000 to $250,000, and are funded through my efforts in the Congress, and are authorized through the Texas General Land Office. Applicants are encouraged to visit texasbackinbusiness.com for the opportunity apply online. I urge all eligible parties to take advantage of this program so all can realize a recovery worthy of the calamity that wrought Houston over two years ago. Together, we will all emerge stronger.”