2022: Fitzpatrick Voted To Authorize The Small Business Administration
To Declare A Disaster In Rural Areas For The Purpose Of Providing
Disaster Assistance Loans. In December 2022, according to
Congressional Quarterly, Fitzpatrick voted for the Disaster Assistance
for Rural Communities Act, which would "allow the Small Business
Administration to declare a disaster, for the purpose of providing
disaster assistance loans, in rural areas in which the president has
declared a major disaster but has not authorized direct financial
assistance, if the SBA determines, upon request by a state or tribe,
that 'significant damage' has occurred. It would define 'significant
damage' as losses of at least 40 percent of either the fair replacement
value or pre-disaster fair market value of the damaged property,
whichever is less. The bill would also require the SBA to report
annually to Congress on economic injuries resulting from major disasters
in rural areas and the agency's response to requests for assistance
under the bill's provisions. It would also require the Government
Accountability Office to report to Congress on unique challenges in
providing rural disaster assistance and legislative recommendations to
improve such assistance." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 406-8, thus the bill was sent to President Biden and
it ultimately became law. [House Vote 517,
12/8/22; Congressional
Quarterly, 12/8/22;
Congressional Actions, S.
1617]