Complete COVID Collections Act

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Bill ID: 119/s/68
Last Updated: February 1, 2026

Sponsored by

Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

ID: E000295

Follow the money

The bill

Complete COVID Collections Act

S. 68, 119th Congress — read as touching For-Profit Education & Student Loans.

The sponsor

Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$383,500 raised

23 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 8.

February 9, 2025

Introduced

📍 Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

🏛️

Committee Review

🗳️

Floor Action

Passed Senate

🏛️

House Review

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another brilliant example of congressional incompetence, wrapped in a bow of self-serving grandstanding. The Complete COVID Collections Act (S 68) is a masterclass in legislative doublespeak, designed to sound good while doing nothing meaningful.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The bill's stated purpose is to "prohibit the suspension of collections on loans made to small businesses related to COVID-19." Sounds noble, right? In reality, this is just a thinly veiled attempt to shield politicians from accountability for their own ineptitude. The real objective is to create a smokescreen around the mismanagement of COVID-19 relief funds and protect the interests of big donors.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill extends the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery (SIGPR) until September 30, 2030, supposedly to "ensure accountability" in COVID-19 relief programs. Don't be fooled – this is just a token gesture to placate critics. The SIGPR's powers are still limited, and its findings will likely be ignored or watered down.

The bill also introduces a "Fraud Enforcement Harmonization" provision, which sounds impressive but actually does nothing to address the root causes of fraud in COVID-19 relief programs. It merely extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting these crimes from 5 years to 10 years – a meaningless change that won't deter anyone with real power.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Small businesses and individuals who received COVID-19 relief loans will be affected, but not in any meaningful way. The bill's provisions are designed to maintain the status quo, ensuring that those who benefited from the initial relief packages will continue to reap rewards without facing consequences for their actions.

The real stakeholders here are politicians, lobbyists, and big donors who stand to gain from this legislation. They'll use it as a talking point to claim they're "helping small businesses" while actually perpetuating crony capitalism.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill will have zero impact on the underlying issues plaguing COVID-19 relief programs. It won't address the waste, corruption, or inefficiencies that have plagued these initiatives from the start. Instead, it will create a false sense of security among voters and provide politicians with a convenient soundbite to deflect criticism.

In reality, this bill is just another symptom of a deeper disease: the corrupting influence of money in politics and the willingness of lawmakers to prioritize their own interests over those of their constituents. It's a cynical exercise in legislative theater, designed to maintain the illusion of accountability while perpetuating business as usual in Washington.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$383,500
22 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$7,700
Committees
$0
Individuals
$375,800

No PAC contributions found

1
SAC & FOX TRIBE OF MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA
2 transactions
$6,700
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
ABEL, ANDREA MS.
1 transaction
$50,000
2
MCINERNEY, THOMAS E. MR.
1 transaction
$50,000
3
NICOLLS, BOB MR.
1 transaction
$25,000
4
GRAY, C. BOYDEN
1 transaction
$25,000
5
CATSIMATIDIS, JOHN A. MR.
1 transaction
$25,000
6
KOTICK, ROBERT MR.
1 transaction
$16,600
7
VINCZE, CHRISTOPHER
1 transaction
$15,800
8
FRANCE, BRIAN Z. MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
9
BAKER, BERNARD J. MR. III
1 transaction
$15,000
10
HEGYI, ALBERT P. MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
11
DAVISON, JAMES E. MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
12
BROIN, JEFF MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
13
SHERRILL, STEPHEN C. MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
14
GLEESON, JOHN W. MR.
1 transaction
$12,500
15
RAY-GLEESON, KAREN S. MRS.
1 transaction
$12,500
16
POPOLO, JOE
1 transaction
$11,800
17
PFAUTCH, ROY MR.
1 transaction
$11,600
18
GOLDMAN, MARC STANLEY
1 transaction
$10,000
19
SCHLOEMER, JAMES H. MR.
1 transaction
$10,000
20
SABIN, ANDREW MR.
1 transaction
$10,000

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 6 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]

ID: Y000064

Top Contributors

10

1
HESS, DANIEL L.
CORNERSTONE INDUSTRIES CORP.PRESIDENT/ OWNER
IndividualZIONSVILLE, IN
$10,000
Jul 1, 2024
2
SHUBLAK, MARK I.
ICE MILLER LLPATTORNEY
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$6,600
Oct 20, 2023
3
MCLEAN, SUZZY
SAGESUREINSURANCE
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$6,600
Oct 23, 2024
4
MCLEAN, TERRENCE
SAGESUREINSURANCE
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$6,600
Oct 23, 2024
5
BESSENT, SCOTT K.
KEY SQUARE GROUPINVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
IndividualCHARLESTON, SC
$6,600
Mar 28, 2024
6
PATRICELLI, ROBERT E.
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualSIMSBURY, CT
$6,600
Mar 1, 2024
7
ANDREESSEN, MARC L.
ANDREESSEN HOROWITZCO-FOUNDER
IndividualLOS ALTOS, CA
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024
8
BRALY, DOUGLAS A. MR.
SELF EMPLOYEDACCOUNTANT
IndividualINDIANAPOLIS, IN
$6,600
Sep 4, 2024
9
DIXON, CHRISTOPHER
ANDREESSEN HOROWITZGENERAL PARTNER
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024
10
HESS, LEANNA
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualZIONSVILLE, IN
$6,600
Aug 19, 2024

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

ID: B001243

Top Contributors

10

1
FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY PAC
PACVIRGINIA BEACH, VA
$5,000
Apr 12, 2023
2
THE COGGIN GROUP
OrganizationMURFREESBORO, TN
$2,900
Mar 9, 2023
3
THE COGGIN GROUP
OrganizationMURFREESBORO, TN
$2,500
Mar 9, 2023
4
DOSS BROTHERS FARM
OrganizationLAWRENCEBURG, TN
$1,000
Apr 17, 2024
5
DOSS BROTHERS FARM
OrganizationLAWRENCEBURG, TN
$1,000
Mar 18, 2024
6
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
OrganizationARLINGTON, VA
$500
Mar 17, 2023
7
KING, RODNEY W.
SELF-EMPLOYEDATTORNEY
IndividualGERMANTOWN, TN
$13,200
Apr 4, 2024
8
BEAN, BILL G.
HANNING & BEAN ENTERPRISES INC.REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
IndividualCOLUMBIA CITY, IN
$10,000
May 1, 2024
9
SMITH, THOMAS
PRESCOTT INVESTORS INC.INVESTOR
IndividualBOCA RATON, FL
$10,000
May 13, 2024
10
GAMBLE, KATHRYN
UNAKA COBUSINESS EXECUTIVE
IndividualDALLAS, TX
$9,900
Jul 15, 2024

Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]

ID: L000575

Top Contributors

10

1
MUSCOGEE CREEK NATION
OrganizationOKMULGEE, OK
$1,000
Oct 29, 2024
2
HUNTON ANDREWS KURTH LLP
OrganizationRICHMOND, VA
$1,000
Aug 4, 2023
3
SAMPLES, RYAN
SAMPLES GROUPMANAGEMENT
IndividualOKLAHOMA CITY, OK
$6,600
Aug 30, 2023
4
KAY, ALISON
KIDS CAPITALHEDGE FUND MANAGER
IndividualBEVERLY HILLS, CA
$6,600
Jun 20, 2023
5
KANADY, CHRISTIAN
ECHO INVESTMENT CAPITAL, LLCCEO
IndividualNICHOLS HILLS, OK
$6,600
Jun 10, 2024
6
MANDELBLATT, DANIELLE
RETIRED
IndividualASPEN, CO
$6,600
Jul 31, 2024
7
MANDELBLATT, ERIC
SOROBAN CAPITAL PARTNERS LPMANAGING PARTNER
IndividualASPEN, CO
$6,600
Jul 31, 2024
8
ROWAN, CAROLYN
CAROLYN ROWAN COLLECTIONOWNER
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024
9
ROWAN, MARC J.
APOLLO GLOBAL MANAGEMENTCEO
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$6,600
Sep 30, 2024
10
ARMSTRONG, SINCLAIR WALKER JR.
ARMSTRONG BANKCHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
IndividualVIAN, OK
$6,600
Aug 30, 2023

Sen. Curtis, John R. [R-UT]

ID: C001114

Top Contributors

10

1
KELLER INVESTMENTS PROPERTIES
OrganizationCENTERVILLE, UT
$29,800
Dec 31, 2023
2
SUQUAMISH INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationSUQUAMISH, WA
$1,000
Aug 14, 2024
3
TENNIS & SUN LC
OrganizationSALT LAKE CITY, UT
$1,000
Jun 10, 2024
4
BGR GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, LLC
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Mar 25, 2024
5
FUGAL COMMERCIAL SERVICES INC
OrganizationSALT LAKE CITY, UT
$1,000
Sep 13, 2023
6
STEEL, SHAWN
STEEL & EISNER, LLPATTORNEY
IndividualSURFSIDE, CA
$10,000
Mar 25, 2024
7
STEEL, SHAWN
STEEL & EISNER, LLPATTORNEY
IndividualSURFSIDE, CA
$10,000
Mar 25, 2024
8
BAKER, PAUL
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualTUCSON, AZ
$6,600
Jun 5, 2024
9
BAKER, PAUL
RETIREDRETIRED
IndividualTUCSON, AZ
$6,600
Jun 5, 2024
10
BERKLEY, WILLIAM
WRBCCHAIRMAN
IndividualKEY LARGO, FL
$6,600
Jun 7, 2024

Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]

ID: S001227

Top Contributors

10

1
ELEVATE MISSOURI
OrganizationKANSAS CITY, MO
$5,000
Jun 30, 2024
2
TURTLE MOUNTAIN BAND OF CHIPPEWA TRIBE
OrganizationBELCOURT, ND
$2,900
Jun 24, 2021
3
PETER J SPALITTO DDS PC
OrganizationDES PERES, MO
$2,900
Aug 1, 2024
4
ELEVATE MISSOURI
OrganizationKANSAS CITY, MO
$1,700
Jun 30, 2024
5
KIRKWOOD PLUMBING INC
OrganizationKIRKWOOD, MO
$500
Aug 1, 2024
6
WALTON, TROY
SELF EMPLOYEDATTORNEY
IndividualGLEN CARBON, IL
$11,600
Jun 3, 2021
7
PFAUTCH, ROY
CIVIL SERVICE INCCONSULTANT
IndividualST. LOUIS, MO
$11,600
Dec 31, 2023
8
ROSS, DONALD
ENTERPRISE HOLDINGS INCVICE CHAIRMAN
IndividualSAINT LOUIS, MO
$10,000
Mar 3, 2022
9
TAYLOR, ANDREW
ENTERPRISE RENT-A-CARCEO
IndividualST LOUIS, MO
$6,600
Oct 15, 2024
10
TAYLOR, BARBARA
HOMEMAKERHOMEMAKER
IndividualST LOUIS, MO
$6,600
Oct 15, 2024

Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]

ID: H001089

Top Contributors

10

1
R&W TOWING & RECOVERY
OrganizationST JOSEPH, MO
$3,300
Sep 18, 2024
2
SOUTHERN MISSOURI REAL ESTATE LLC
OrganizationAURORA, MO
$1,000
Jun 28, 2023
3
ST LOUIS CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP PAC
OrganizationCHESTERFIELD, MO
$914
Oct 31, 2024
4
MARK FAUGHN CONSTRUCTION LLC
OrganizationPOPLAR BLUFF, MO
$250
May 22, 2023
5
SCHELL, MARK CHRISTOPHER
DIAMOND PET FOODMANAGER
IndividualLOHMAN, MO
$13,200
Apr 13, 2023
6
CARR, GEORGE T.
THE DURHAM COMANAGEMENT
IndividualSPRINGFIELD, MO
$12,200
Apr 21, 2023
7
RUSSELL, DOUG MR.
DURHAM COMPANYPRESIDENT
IndividualLEBANON, MO
$7,400
Apr 21, 2023
8
SHELTON, GREGORY P. MR.
SHELTON WHOLESALEOWNER
IndividualEAGLEVILLE, MO
$6,600
Mar 11, 2024
9
WALDEN, MICHAEL
SHOOK HARDY BACONATTORNEY
IndividualMISSION HILLS, KS
$6,600
Mar 31, 2023
10
WILLARD, BRADLEY
WILLARD ASPHALT PAVINGPRESIDENT
IndividualLEBANON, MO
$6,600
Mar 31, 2023

Donor Network - Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 62 nodes and 38 connections (39 secondary connections hidden)

Total contributions: $468,300

Top Donors - Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Showing top 22 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs20 Individuals

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 3 harmed.

  • Section 5(a) requires the SBA Administrator to refer claims for collection on covered loans under $100,000 to the Department of the Treasury, which could include defaulted SBA loans such as those from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) or Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) that for-profit education providers may have received, thereby increasing collection efforts and potential financial burden on those entities.

  • Section 5(a) mandates referral of claims for collection on covered loans under $100,000 to the Treasury, which includes Restaurant Revitalization Grants (covered under Section 2(4)(D) and Section 4(c)), meaning recipients who may have misused funds could face enforced collection, imposing a cost on the industry.

  • Section 5(a) requires referral of claims for collection on covered loans under $100,000 to the Treasury, which includes grants for shuttered venue operators (covered under Section 2(4)(E) and Section 4(b)), affecting businesses in the entertainment and live events sector that received such grants and may now face collection efforts.

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