Chamber Urges Congress to Boost Small Firm Aid as Funds Run Low

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is urging Congress to give a small-business aid program an infusion of funds before it runs out, as Democrats and Republicans remain deadlocked over extending assistance to local governments and hospitals.

Suzanne Clark, who is president of the U.S. largest business group, said in a letter that congressional leaders need to take “urgent action” to shore up both disaster aid and a pool of $349 billion in forgivable loans.

The latter program, known as the Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, was already overburdened by demand and delays last week, when it was opened to ...