Timothy L. O'Brien, Columnist

‘McCongressman’ Gets a Large Order of PPP

Representative Kevin Hern pushed to make it easier for franchises to get federal loans. A company he controls did just that. So did businesses that operate in buildings owned or controlled by the Trump family.

July 7, 2020 at 9:30 AM UTC

By Timothy L. O'Brien

Timothy L. O'Brien is senior executive editor of Bloomberg Opinion. A former editor and reporter for the New York Times, he is author of “TrumpNation: The Art of Being the Donald.”

“McCongressman” Kevin Hern of Oklahoma.
Photographer: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call/Getty Images

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It’s almost always an advantage to have a seat at the table.

In March, as Congress wrestled with the ravages of the Covid-19 pandemic and debated the contours of what would soon become the largest economic bailout in U.S. history, four legislators pushed hard to make sure that franchise operators received special treatment.