Edwards Highlights Disaster Recovery During SBA Oversight Hearing
July 22, 2026 Contact: Sydney Jones
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11) questioned U.S. Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler during a House Appropriations oversight hearing, pressing for improvements to Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and reforms to make disaster assistance work better for Western North Carolina's small businesses.
To improve disaster recovery, Congressman Edwards has introduced two pieces of legislation: the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act, which would streamline disaster assistance through a single federal application, and the Helene Small Business Recovery Act, which would clarify that SBA disaster loans and federal grants such as CDBG-DR are not duplicative, ensuring that businesses aren't denied disaster grants simply because they already received an SBA loan.
"After Hurricane Helene, small businesses in the mountains of North Carolina found themselves buried in paperwork or caught between conflicting federal programs," said Congressman Edwards. “My legislation cuts unnecessary red tape, improves coordination between federal agencies, and helps ensure disaster assistance gets to the people who need it. I'll continue working to make disaster recovery faster, simpler, and more effective for the communities I represent."
