U.S. pandemic aid program saved 51.1 million jobs, but wealthy and connected also benefited
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Some 51.1 million jobs were protected by a high-profile pandemic aid program, the Trump administration said on Monday as it revealed how a firehose of $521.4 billion in taxpayer cash washed across the landscape of America's small businesses.
But the data underlined that in addition to mom-and-pop shops, the funds went to well-heeled and politically connected companies, some of which were approved for between $5 million and $10 million.
Those include several firms that lobby on public policy, such as Wiley Rein LLP and APCO Worldwide. There were, too, influential law firms like Kasowitz Benson Torres LLP, which has represented President Donald Trump, and Boies Schiller Flexner LLP.
Kasowitz Benson Torres said the funding, along with cost-saving measures, helped the law firm preserve hundreds of jobs at full salary at a time when federal courts and its offices were shut down.
Also in the mix: the Americans for Tax Reform Foundation, whose stated mission is to curb government spending, was approved for a loan of between $150,000 and $350,000.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/companies/us-pandemic-aid-program-saved-511-million-jobs-but-wealthy-and-connected-also-benefited/ar-BB16oNLC?li=BBnb7Kz