Missouri Senator Josh Hawley wants to make sure Churches can seek relief under the 2 trillion aid package

(Washington, D. C.)–Missouri U.S. Senator Josh Hawley has sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Small Business Administration Administrator Jovita Carranza asking they immediately issue follow-up guidelines that make clear that religious organizations can seek relief under the Paycheck Protection Relief program along with other small businesses and non-profits.
Unlike their earlier guidelines, the law is clear. Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, non-profit entities with under 500 employees that are structured as 501 C-3 organizations, including churches and other religious non-profits, are eligible for assistance.
Senator Hawley says, “Religious organizations may continue to suffer economic hardship in this crisis, and it is unacceptable that your agencies’ guidance would leave uncertain their ability to gain the relief to which they are entitled by the law Congress passed. Moreover, the Constitution demands that the government may not discriminate against these religious nonprofits on account of their religious status–whether they engage in sectarian activities or not–in providing this public benefit.”
The letter also cites Secretary Mnuchin’s response Thursday when asked if new SBA relief measures include churches and faith groups. Secretary Mnuchin  said, “It does include faith organizations. This is under the PPP, yes, the new SBA program, they are covered.”
Senator Hawley sent a separate letter to SBA Administrator Carranza Thursday, asking for SBA leadership to correct local and regional offices who were communicating to churches and religious non-profits that they are not eligible to participate in the Paycheck Protection Program.