In the face of unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, many small business owners like myself, and my husband, have faced financial ruin. Businesses that we painstakingly built from the ground up were shuttered despite our tireless efforts to keep them afloat. Our story is not unique; it echoes the experiences of countless other hardworking American small-business owners who have lost their livelihoods and now face the daunting prospect of repaying federal disaster loans.

The COVID-19 pandemic struck with little warning, causing widespread economic disruption that impacted every corner of America. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 400,000 small businesses permanently closed during the early stages of the pandemic. The pandemic's toll was especially significant for small businesses, which form the backbone of our economy, accounting for nearly 44% of the economic activity and generating two-thirds of new jobs.

Despite the resilience and determination shown by small business owners, the sudden and dramatic decrease in consumer demand and the logistical challenges of operating amidst lockdowns led to catastrophic losses. Many of us turned to the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program as a lifeline, borrowing funds to cover operating costs in the hope that business conditions would improve. Tragically, for many, that hoped-for recovery never materialized.

Today, thousands of entrepreneurs are grappling with the reality of repaying these loans, a burden that feels especially egregious given the circumstances. These loans, initially assumed under duress, now threaten to stifle any chance of financial recovery or reinvestment. What's more, continuing to enforce these repayments only serves to penalize those who acted in good faith and were victims of unimaginable circumstances.

We call on Congress, and particularly the House and Senate Small Business Committees, to recognize the extraordinary and uncontrollable situation that has led to these severe losses. By providing EIDL loan forgiveness for those businesses that have failed despite meeting their obligations, we can help enable these entrepreneurs to recover, reinvest, and perhaps one day rebuild.

Forgiving these loans would not only reflect an understanding of the unprecedented hardships faced by small business owners during the pandemic but would also be a significant step toward economic justice and rebuilding the entrepreneurial landscape of our nation. It would provide hope and opportunity for those who have lost so much.

We urge you to act swiftly and compassionately. Let us reignite the spirit of American entrepreneurship and ensure that those who have lost everything due to no fault of their own are given a fair chance to start anew.

Please sign this petition to show your support for EIDL loan forgiveness for small businesses that have failed due to the pandemic's impact. Your signature is a step towards securing a more equitable future for all small business owners who continue to bear the brunt of this unprecedented crisis.