General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHere's how Susan Collins altered the COVID-19 stimulus bill to benefit her former longtime aide
August 6, 2020
By Pro Publica
In March, as lawmakers raced to put together a massive stimulus package to cope with the pandemic-related shutdowns sweeping the country, a New York company that invests in hotels deployed a Washington lobbyist for the first time. The lobbyists mission was to secure an exception in the emerging relief program for small businesses so that hotel chains would become eligible.
The company, EOS Investors, had more than 500 employees, putting it above the limit in the original proposal by Sens. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Marco Rubio, R-Fla. But if the cap for hotels were set for each location instead of companywide, then EOS could benefit at several of its properties, like the collection of resorts that EOS had recently acquired in Kennebunkport, Maine.
The lobbyist whom EOS called on for help was Michael Bopp, a former longtime aide to Collins, according to a congressional disclosure form. Bopp was Collins legislative director and general counsel from 1999 to 2003 and chief counsel to the Senate homeland security committee from 2003 to 2006, while Collins was chair. He has also served as outside counsel to Collins campaign.
snip
Recent disclosures from the U.S. Small Business Administration, dislodged after ProPublica and other news organizations sued, reveal the scope of the change to accommodate hotel chains. At least 59 large hotel companies were approved for more than 600 forgivable government loans totaling up to $1 billion despite having more than 500 employees overall, according to the data.
snip
https://www.rawstory.com/2020/08/heres-how-susan-collins-altered-the-19-stimulus-bill-to-benefit-her-former-longtime-aide/
PCIntern
(25,344 posts)(You have to be old to remember that game and the jingle)
Or the Hale-Bopp comet?
Bop around the clock?
Bop in the nose?
I like fucking with Rethug names. It diminishes them. Petty crooks and liars.
Hmm... that wouldnt be a bad title for a website....