FreedomWorks Statement on Passage of Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the passage of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act, H.R. 266, also known as the Phase 3.5 bill, Jason Pye, FreedomWorks’ Vice President of Legislative Affairs, commented:

"The line has long been crossed. No more spending. Period. At this point, we should be focused on reopening the economy and getting Americans back to work. Even before passage of this phase, there has been a lot of discussion about yet another phase, that could include bailouts for states and local governments and infrastructure spending. We will oppose any further packages that include these and other provisions.

"Americans are hurting. Our activist community has been hit hard. Businesses, small and large alike, are laying off workers because of the disruptions caused by COVID-19. We recognize the challenges that face the Trump administration and Congress while America struggles to cope with this pandemic. These challenges have actually been made worse by Congress, though, whose rushed legislation to this point has created too many perverse incentives to count.

"Beyond issues of policy, we are incredibly concerned about the exploding budget deficit, which was projected to exceed $1 trillion before this crisis. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget projects that the deficit could reach $3.8 trillion this year alone. Had Congress ended the cycle of spending cap-busting budgets in 2018 and allowed necessary spending cuts to take place, Congress would have been in a far better position to manage this pandemic. Unfortunately, we are now paying the price."