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NEWS from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship John F. Kerry, Chairman
For Immediate Release: July 11, 2008 Contacts: Laurel Brown (Kerry), 202-224-0216 Kurt Bardella (Snowe), 202-224-1304 $107 Million Budget Increase for SBA, Small Business Programs Passes CommitteeWASHINGTON –The Senate Appropriations Committee passed the Financial Services Appropriations Bill, which provides $107 million in additional funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA) and its small business programs that will benefit America’s entrepreneurs late Thursday. Senators John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, worked with the leaders of the Appropriations Committee to secure the funding increase for the SBA’s core small business programs of approximately 45% over the President’s request for 2009. The bill increases funding for Small Business Development Centers by 24%, Women’s Business Centers by 13%, microloans to $20 million from zero, contracting assistance by 87%, and veterans outreach programs by 62%. “I applaud the Appropriations Committee, and especially Senator Durbin, for securing this funding for the small businesses which create good jobs in our country,” said Senator Kerry. “The sluggish economy is making it very hard for small businesses to access the capital and counseling they need to succeed, and this additional funding will help create jobs and boost our economy.” “I am pleased that the Appropriations Committee, and in particular Financial Services Subcommittee Chairman Durbin and Ranking Member Brownback, had the foresight to provide the additional funding to the SBA that we requested earlier this year,” said Senator Snowe. “During these challenging economic times, it is critical that the SBA is provided the resources necessary to help small businesses create new or improved products and services, which ultimately translates into thousands of jobs.” The Senate’s appropriations bill increases funding over the President’s request for: Capital Programs · Microloans to $2.5 million to leverage more than $21 million in loans (from zero funding), and microloan technical assistance to $20 million (the President’s budget sought to eliminate it). Last year, SBA’s microlenders leveraged a program level of $21 million into more than $31 million in microloans, proportionally helping more women and minorities than other programs. Entrepreneurial Development and Outreach Programs
Contracting Programs and Assistance
Good Afternoon Friends,
This week the Senate started by passing H.R. 6304 the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) and proceeded to pass H.R. 6331 the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act by a 69-30 vote. The final vote for the Medicare bill was extremely important because the President has threatened to veto the bill which was passed by a veto proof margin in the House and now in the Senate.
Before the July 4th recess the Medicare bill failed by one vote. In a surprise appearance Senator Kennedy returned to the Senate on Wednesday to cast the one vote needed to pass the bill. The Medicare bill among other things will improve the Medicare program for the 44.1 million seniors who are enrolled, provide additional help for low-income seniors, ensure proper pay for Medicare providers, and improve the Medicare Drug Benefit program.
The Senators just voted to pass H.R. 3221 the Housing Reform bill passed and are now working on S.2731 the Global/HIV Aids bill. The Housing bill addresses the root causes of the foreclosure crisis by providing foreclosure counseling for families in need, gives tax benefits to homeowners and homebuyers, and creates a new program at the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) that would help at least 400,000 families save their homes from foreclosure.
The Global/HIV Aids bill authorizes $50 billion for HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria and sets goals such as preventing 12 million new HIV infections. The Global/HIV Aids bill also places an increased focus on women and girls and the factors that put them at greater risk for HIV infection in many countries such as gender-based violence. Currently prospective immigrants, foreign students, refugees, and tourists are barred from entering the U.S. if they are infected with HIV. Senate Democrats are fighting to remove the HIV visa ban.
If you have any questions please feel free to contact me.
Have a great weekend.
Kory
For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Jim Manley / Rodell Mollineau, Reid, (202) 224-2939
REID STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF HOUSING BILL
Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today after the U.S. Senate passed a housing bill that reforms regulation of the Government Sponsored Enterprises, modernizes the FHA, helps families avoid foreclosure and establishes an affordable housing trust fund to help low-income families:
“After months of Republican delay, Senate Democrats led passage of a responsible bill to address the worsening foreclosure crisis, which is the root of the broader economic crisis. By helping Americans keep their homes and their home equity, we are restoring stability to the housing market and helping businesses and communities hurt by this crisis not only recover, but also create new jobs. This bill will help prevent another crisis of this magnitude, stop foreclosures before they begin and preserve for future generations the American Dream of home ownership.
“Bush-McCain Republicans have been shamefully slow to act. Each day they stalled, nearly 8,500 new families filing for foreclosure – on top of already accelerating foreclosure filings that were 53 percent higher in June than in the same month the previous year. The time for delay has passed. We look forward to quickly reconciling remaining differences with the House and sending this bill to the President for his signature.”
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For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Jim Manley / Rodell Mollineau, Reid, (202) 224-2939
REID STATEMENT ON VETO-PROOF PASSAGE OF MEDICARE FIX THAT PREVENTS CUTS FOR DOCTORS, IMPROVES CARE FOR PATIENTS
Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today after the U.S. Senate passed the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act by a 69-30 vote:
“With this vote, the Senate has passed a responsible and necessary bill to prevent payment cuts for doctors and to improve care for patients. We are reversing a 10.6-percent cut in payments to physicians who care for millions of American seniors and military families.
“The House strongly passed this bill in bipartisan, veto-proof fashion by nearly 300 votes, and the Senate has now passed it by a veto-proof margin as well. It is now up to the President to sign it into law. I call on him to join Congress in making sure Medicare works better for every American senior and TRICARE works better for our troops.
“Senator Kennedy showed again today why he is so beloved in our Senate family, why he is the model of public service and an American icon. We knew that Senator Kennedy – one of the greatest fighters this body has ever seen – would rise to the challenge and return to work, and what more appropriate time for him to do so than in an effort to protect seniors’ and veterans’ health care.”
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For Immediate Release
CONTACT: Federico A. de Jesús, Reid, (202) 224-2939
REID: TO INCREASE OIL PRODUCTION, ADMINISTRATION SHOULD PRESSURE INDUSTRY TO BEGIN DRILLING ON LAND IT ALREADY LEASES
Washington, DC—Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid made the following statement today in response to President Bush’s remarks today calling for increased domestic oil drilling:
“Senate Democrats agree that increased domestic production is part of the solution to record oil and gas prices, but President Bush conveniently failed to mention that the oil industry is already sitting on 68 million acres on which they refuse to drill. Instead of calling on Congress to hand over even more American land and resources to the oil industry, President Bush should tell his friends to start drilling in the land they already have. He should also release to the market oil being put away in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve. Increased use of existing resources – combined with a sustained investment in energy efficiency and producing clean alternatives to oil – can help provide both short- and long-term solutions to America’s energy crisis.”
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FACT CHECK: President Bush and Drilling
FACT: OIL COMPANIES ARE NOT DRILLING IN AREAS CURRENTLY UNDER LEASE
There Are 68 Million Acres of Leased Federal Lands That Are NOT Producing Oil.
Just 21 Percent of Outer Continental Shelf Leases Are in Production. There are 7,740 active leases in the outer continental shelf and only 1,655 are in production. [Department of Interior]
Just 19 Percent of Outer Continental Shelf Acres Under Lease Are Producing. There are over 41,000,000 acres in the outer continental shelf have been leased for oil drilling, yet only 8,123,000 acres are in production. [Department of Interior]
FACT: MOST RECOVERABLE OFFSHORE OIL AND GAS IS OPEN TO DRILLING
79 Percent of Recoverable Offshore Oil Is Open to Drilling. Currently 79 percent of America’s technically recoverable offshore oil reserves are open for leasing, while just 21 percent are closed to drilling. [Minerals Management Service, 2006]
82 Percent of Recoverable Offshore Natural Gas Is Open to Drilling. Currently 82 percent of America’s technically recoverable offshore natural gas reserves are open for leasing, while just 18 percent are closed to drilling. [Minerals Management Service, 2006]
FACT: EXPANDING DRILLING WOULD HAVE NO IMMEDIATE IMPACT ON GAS PRICES
Senator McCain Said Expanding Domestic Production Would Take Years to Develop. “But I also have to tell you that with those resources, which would take years to develop, it would only postpone or temporarily relieve our dependency on fossil fuels,” McCain said. [Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Joel Connelly Column, 6/20/08]
Senator McCain Said Exploiting Domestic Oil Reserves Would Take Some Years, Could Have a Beneficial “Psychological” Impact. “Even though it may take some years, the fact that we are exploiting those reserves would have psychological impact that I think is beneficial,” said McCain during a town hall meeting. [Associated Press, 6/24/08]
Senator Martinez Said Drilling Is Only Long Term Solutions, Not Immediate Answers. “I don't think that solar and renewables are any more of an answer tomorrow than opening up more areas of exploration would be. All of these are long-term solutions, but we've got to begin down the path at some point.” [Senators Martinez and Cornyn Press Conference, 7/8/08]
FACT: BUSH ADMINISTRATION’S ENERGY EXPERTS AGREE OFFSHORE DRILLING WOULD NOT SIGNIFICANTLY LOWER GAS PRICES
Head of Bush Administration’s Energy Information Administration Said Offshore Drilling Would Have Little Affect on Gas Prices. “In response to record pump prices, Republican presidential candidate Sen. John McCain and President George W. Bush this month called for Congress to end its moratorium on drilling off the East and West coasts and in Florida waters, leaving it up to each affected state to decide where to permit drilling… However, Guy Caruso, who heads the federal Energy Information Administration, said consumers would see little savings at the pump. ‘It would be a relatively small effect, because it would take such a long time to bring those supplies on,’ Caruso said during a briefing at the Center for Strategic and International Studies on the EIA's new long-term international energy forecast. ‘It doesn't affect prices that much.’ Most energy experts say it would take five to 10 years to find oil in the closed areas and bring the crude to market. Caruso said the additional supplies would amount to only a couple of hundred thousand barrels of oil a day. ‘It does take a long time to develop these resources, and therefore the price impact is muted by that,’ he said.” [Reuters, 6/25/08]
Bush Administration’s Own Energy Information Administration Found Outer Continental Shelf Drilling Would Have No Significant Impact on Gas Prices “The projections in the OCS access case indicate that access to the Pacific, Atlantic, and eastern Gulf regions would not have a significant impact on domestic crude oil and natural gas production or prices before 2030… Because oil prices are determined on the international market, however, any impact on average wellhead prices is expected to be insignificant.” [Energy Information Administration, 2007]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 10, 2008 Contacts: Kawika Riley (Veterans’ Affairs): (202) 224-9126 Scott Gerber (Feinstein): (202) 224-9629 Whitney Smith (Kerry): (202) 224-4159 Jesse Broder Van Dyke (Akaka): (202) 224-7045
AKAKA, FEINSTEIN AND KERRY URGE VETERANS AFFAIRS SECRETARY TO END PROHIBITION ON VOTER REGISTRATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), Chairman of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), and Senator John Kerry (D-MA), sent a letter today to Veterans Affairs Secretary James B. Peake, calling on him to end the current prohibition of voter registration at Department of Veterans Affairs facilities.
Under current regulations, which Secretary Peake has the authority to revise, Veterans Affairs broadly prohibits third-party organizations from conducting voter registration drives at VA facilities. Recently, VA has received criticism for this prohibition, and been urged to allow non-partisan voter registration activities.
“Veterans receiving care at VA facilities risked life and limb to defend the freedoms we enjoy, including the right to vote,” said Akaka. “Current VA policy makes it unnecessarily difficult for some veterans to participate in the electoral process. I urge Secretary Peake to reverse the prohibition on non-partisan voter registration activities.”
“There is no reason why the Department of Veterans Affairs should not proactively assist veterans in exercising their right to vote. To do otherwise is an insult to the sacrifices these men and women have made for our country,” said Feinstein. “It’s time the Department of Veterans Affairs reverse its directive and allow these non-partisan, third-party organizations into VA facilities to register veterans to vote.”
“No veteran who has defended freedom and democracy overseas should experience democracy denied here at home. We must support voter registration for veterans in every way possible, including allowing assistance from nonpartisan registration organizations. Impeding voter registration in any way insults the ideals our veterans fought for in uniform, and that’s something the Department of Veterans Affairs cannot stand for,” said Kerry.
The joint letter is copied below.
The Honorable James B. Peake, MD Secretary of Veterans Affairs 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20420
Dear Secretary Peake,
We are writing to urge you to revise the current directive – VHA Directive 2008-025 – relating to voting assistance for Department of Veterans Affairs’ patients. We believe that the Directive’s broad prohibition against third-party organizations conducting voter registration drives at VA facilities is both unnecessary and arbitrary and fails to recognize that veterans may need assistance in registering in order to exercise their Constitutional right to vote. We believe that VA should be a proactive facilitator of voter registration by nonpartisan groups, rather than an agency that hinders veterans from participating in the electoral process.
The VHA Directive references “Hatch Act requirements” as one basis for the prohibition on voter registration activities. We do not understand this reference. The Hatch Act, among other things, prohibits federal employees from engaging in political activity on official time or on federal property. This has been interpreted to mean that federal employees are forbidden from participating in a partisan voter registration drive on official time or on federal property. However, the Office of Special Counsel has issued policy statements that federal employees may assist in non-partisan voter registration drives on federal property and on official time without violating the Hatch Act. In addition, the Hatch Act does not prohibit outside groups, partisan or otherwise, from registering voters at a VA facility if federal employees do not participate.
Right before the Fourth of July, Connecticut’s Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz attempted to provide voter information and register residents at a West Haven Veterans Affairs facility. Secretary Bysiewicz was denied entry to the VA facility under the VA’s Directive. Instead she sought to register veterans leaving the facility. One such veteran who was registered to vote by the Secretary was Martin Onieal, 92, a World War II veteran. Mr. Onieal told her “There was nobody here to do this last year.” That is simply unacceptable.
We recognize and respect the need for VA to guard against any activities that might interfere with carrying out the Department’s mission to furnish quality health care services to veterans. However, we are confident that voter registration activity can be permitted that would not impinge on fulfilling that responsibility.
We strongly urge you to revise VHA Directive 2008-025, so as to allow voter registration activity at VA facilities, with appropriate limitations as to time and place for such activities.
Thank you for your consideration of this important request. We look forward to working with you on this and others matters of concern to our Nation’s veterans.
Sincerely,
Daniel
K. Akaka U.S.
Senator
-END- Senate Business E-News: A Bi-weekly Update from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship John F. Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman
June 29, 2007
In this Edition:
Recent Actions 1. Markup: Committee Passes Bipartisan Bills to Expand Venture Capital, Entrepreneurial Development 4. Markup: Kerry, Snowe Bill Expands Loan Program for Small Businesses 5. Department of Defense Commits to Service Disabled Veteran Contracting Goal 6. Markup: Bipartisan Bill to Overhaul Disaster Loan Program Clears Committee 7. Budget Amendment: Kerry-Snowe Add $97 Million to Small Business Budget
Oversight Hearings: 2. Kerry Holds Hearing on Rising Gas Prices 3. Kerry Focuses on Expanding Minority Entrepreneurship 4. Committee Holds Roundtable on Access to Capital 6. Kerry Promotes Small Business Tools to Combat Climate Change 7. Kerry Says Small Business Budget Inadequate, Calls for Increased Funding 8. Committee Examines Solutions to Ease Health Care Costs for Small Businesses
Current Legislation: For information about pending small business legislation, please click here.
Recent Oversight Letters: To view oversight letters that Senator Kerry has exchanged with federal agencies on behalf of small businesses, please click here.
Recent Actions
1. Committee Passes Bipartisan Bills to Expand Venture Capital, Entrepreneurial Development
On Tuesday, June 26, 2007, the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship passed two important pieces of legislation for small business owners across the country, with a focus on strengthening business ownership opportunities for minorities and women, and making the Small Business Administration’s venture capital programs more attractive to investors so that there’s more capacity in the country, in more areas, to finance growing small businesses. The legislation, S.1662 and S.1671, reauthorizes and improves the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) and New Market Venture Capital (NMVC) programs through 2010, and boosts key small business counseling and assistance programs. The bills, sponsored by Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Committee, will ensure more small businesses have access to these key programs.
To learn more about the venture capital bill, please click here, and to learn more about the entrepreneurial development bill, please click here. You can also watch the markup here.
2. Kerry, Snowe Secure Small Business Energy Efficiency Provisions in Energy Bill
Last week, Senators Kerry and Snowe secured two amendments to the CLEAN Energy Act that help America’s small businesses. Following a hearing the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship held earlier this year that focused on what the government can do to assist small businesses in becoming more energy efficient, these provisions create loans for small firms to invest in renewable sources of energy, create incentives for greener business operations, and hold the Bush Administration accountable for implementing energy efficiency programs that Congress established in 2005.
To learn more about the Kerry-Snowe provisions, click here.
3. Bush Signs Bill with Kerry, Landrieu Provisions for Katrina Relief and Women’s Business Centers
On May 25, 2007, President Bush signed into law provisions championed by Senators Kerry and Landrieu to provide $25 million in relief to small businesses devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. In addition, this legislation contained an amendment sponsored by Senators Kerry, Snowe and Sununu (R-N.H.), which provides permanent funding for successful Women’s Business Centers across the country. The provisions were included in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Bill.
To read more about the provisions, please click here.
4. Kerry, Snowe Bill Expands Loan Program for Small Businesses
On May 16, 2007, the Committee unanimously passed legislation sponsored by Senators Kerry and Snowe that expands and improves the government’s top entrepreneurial lending programs. Kerry hosted a roundtable on this issue with small businesses, lenders, advocates, and SBA representatives on May 2nd. The Small Business Lending Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2007 (S. 1256) authorizes the government to back nearly $100 billion in loans over the next three years and reduces loan fees for borrowers and lenders in order to provide enough stability to avoid shut-downs or delays in funding.
One provision, championed by Senator Carl Levin (D-Mich), establishes an Intermediary Lending Pilot Program in order to reach businesses that are not eligible for 7(a) and 504 loans but need capital to help finance their growth, and another provision from Senator Mary Landrieu (D-La) increases loan assistance for businesses looking to export their goods overseas.
To read more about this legislation, please click here.
5. Department of Defense Commits to Service Disabled Veteran Contracting Goal
On May 15, 2007, Kerry sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Robert Gates concerning the Department’s failure in meeting the three percent goal for contracting with service-disabled veteran owned businesses (SDVOBs). In the letter, Kerry strongly urged Secretary Gates to do everything possible to meet the three percent goal. In response, Secretary Gates committed the Department achieving the goal and outlined a number of initiatives to provide more opportunities for service-disabled veterans to do business with the federal government. In addition, the Department’s Office of Small Business Programs is performing an in-depth analysis of the SDVOB supplier base. Kerry believes this analysis, when completed, will focus the Department’s procurement policies and ensure that they best meet the needs of both the SDVOB community and the Department of Defense.
To read the text of the letter Kerry sent to Secretary Gates, please click here. To read his response, click here.
6. Bipartisan Bill to Overhaul Disaster Loan Program Clears Committee
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship passed comprehensive bipartisan legislation to improve the Disaster Loan Program on March 29, 2007. The program was mismanaged and ineffective in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, and the Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act (S. 163) would ensure that disaster victims receive timely assistance by giving the Administration additional tools to swiftly and effectively respond in the aftermath of a major disaster. The bill is expected to be considered by the full Senate in the coming weeks.
To read more about this legislation, please click here.
7. Kerry-Snowe Add $97 Million to Small Business Budget
On March 23 2007, Senators Kerry and Snowe successfully secured an amendment to the Congressional Budget Resolution to increase Small Business Administration funding by $97 million. The amendment unanimously passed the Senate with Senators Joe Lieberman (I-D-Conn.), Michael B. Enzi (R-Wyo.), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), and Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) cosponsoring, and was ultimately adopted as part of the final Budget Resolution passed by Congress.
Marking a 21 percent increase over the President’s $464 million 2008 budget request, the amendment laid out a budget spending blueprint to add vital funding for microloans, Small Business Development Centers, veteran and reservist outreach programs, and Women’s Business Centers, among other programs.
To read more about the Kerry-Snowe amendment, please click here.
Oversight Hearings
Senator Kerry hosted a roundtable on June 21, 2007, to assess the state of venture capital programs designed to spur private investments in small businesses and determine what more the Small Business Administration can do to improve the Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) and New Market Venture Capital (NMVC) programs. The roundtable focused on legislation to improve these programs with venture capital experts, business groups, venture capital firms, and successful small businesses that have received capital through government-backed private equity funds. The legislation passed out of Committee on June 26th.
For more on the legislation, please click here, or for more information on the roundtable itself, including Senator Kerry’s opening remarks, please click here.
2. Kerry Holds Hearing on Rising Gas Prices
On June 14, 2007, Senator Kerry held a hearing to assess the impact of rising gas prices on small businesses. Small business owners outlined the harmful effects of high gas prices, both in terms of fuel costs for delivery and the financial burden it places on their employees and customers. Frederick W. Smith, President and CEO of Federal Express, also testified advocating a strong bipartisan energy security legislation that would improve corporate average fuel efficiency (CAFE) standards.
Following the hearing, Kerry introduced legislation, cosponsored by Senators Cantwell and Tester, to institute a fuel emergency assistance program for small companies and farms that are struggling to remain competitive as they face escalating gas prices.
To watch the hearing, please click here.
To read more about the Kerry-Cantwell-Tester legislation, please click here, or to view the bill itself, please click here.
3. Kerry Focuses on Expanding Minority Entrepreneurship
On May 22, 2007, Senator Kerry called a hearing to examine the effectiveness of government programs in supporting the minority community to establish and expand their businesses. Witnesses testified that there are still barriers for small minority firms in accessing capital and contracting with the federal government. Testimony at the hearing showed that disparity between minorities and non-minorities will continue to exist without goals in place to address those gaps. In addition, witnesses testified about contract bundling and many other small business challenges that put minority business enterprises at a disadvantage.
To address the inequity in small business ownership in the minority community, Kerry introduced the Minority Entrepreneurship Development Act earlier this year. The bill, cosponsored by Senators Landrieu, Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), promotes entrepreneurship as a career option for students in science, engineering, and other skilled fields at minority serving institutions. These provisions were included in the entrepreneurial development bill the Committee passed on June 26th.
To read more about these provisions, please click here.
To read Senator Kerry’s opening statement from the hearing, please click here.
4. Committee Holds Roundtable on Access to Capital
With access to capital regularly cited as a top concern among small business owners, Senator Kerry hosted a roundtable on May 2, 2007, to seek input from small firms and leaders in the lending community on SBA loan programs and his legislation to expand and improve the government's top lending programs for entrepreneurs. In an effort to expand lending to minority entrepreneurs, Kerry’s bill creates an Office of Minority Small Business Development to provide leadership at the SBA. The bill is cosponsored by Senators Levin and Barack Obama (D-Ill.).
To read Senator Kerry’s opening statement, please click here.
For more information on the legislation, please click here.
On April 18, 2007, Senator Kerry chaired a hearing to examine the difficulty many small businesses face in complying with Sarbanes-Oxley regulations. While the law has helped restore public trust in corporations, small businesses face higher costs to comply with fewer resources. Kerry called on the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to give small companies additional time to comply with recently established regulations for implementing Sarbanes-Oxley internal auditing controls. Kerry and Snowe have also written to SEC Chairman Christopher Cox and Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) Chairman Mark Olson several times seeking an extension for small businesses and calling on the panels to take additional steps to aid small businesses.
To view the hearing, please click here.
To read the letters Kerry and Snowe sent to the SEC and PCAOB, please click here, here and here.
6. Kerry Promotes Small Business Tools to Combat Climate Change
On March 8, 2007, Senator Kerry held a hearing to examine the role small businesses can play in curbing global warming. Given that small businesses account for half the U.S. economy and roughly 50 percent of all commercial and industrial energy consumption nationwide, Kerry emphasized the need to ensure small firms receive the resources and tools they need to continue developing cutting-edge and energy efficient technologies. Kerry urged federal agencies to work together to provide small businesses information and incentives to adopt earth-friendly practices and to assist them with the costs of implementing them.
To watch the hearing and read Kerry’s statement or watch the hearing, please click here.
7. Kerry Says Small Business Budget Inadequate, Calls for Increased Funding
On February 28, 2007, Senator Kerry held a hearing on the 2008 budget for the Small Business Administration (SBA) featuring testimony from Administrator Steven C. Preston. Kerry called the Administration’s proposed budget of $464 million – 30 percent less than the agency received in 2001 – inadequate for addressing the needs of America’s 26 million small business owners and urged Preston to work to restore funding to core programs and services such as Women’s Business Centers, Small Business Development Centers, and the Microloan program, among others cuts.
To view the hearing on “The President’s FY 2008 Budget Request for the SBA,” please click here.
To read Kerry’s opening statement, please click here.
8. Committee Examines Solutions to Ease Health Care Costs for Small Businesses
Senator Kerry held a hearing on February 13, 2007, to seek comprehensive solutions for easing the burden of skyrocketing health care costs on small businesses. Kerry moved the debate beyond Association Health Plans and focused on all workable options for helping small businesses. While some states like Massachusetts are promoting innovative solutions, Kerry stressed the need for the federal government to step up to the plate to reduce health care costs for all Americans by creating a larger insurance pool while ensuring that individuals get quality coverage without regard to health status. Kerry has called for universal health coverage and continues to advocate for short-term solutions like a refundable tax credit for small firms that provide coverage for low and moderate income employees.
To watch the hearing, please click here.
To read the “Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Act” (S. 99), please click here. For more information on Kerry’s Healthy Businesses, Healthy Workers Reinsurance Act, please click here.
NEWS from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship John F. Kerry, Chairman
NEWS from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship John F. Kerry, Chairman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 16, 2007 Contact: Kathryn Seck, 202-224-9431
Small Business Lending Bill Clears Committee
WASHINGTON – Today the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship unanimously passed legislation to expand and improve small business loan programs. The Small Business Lending Reauthorization and Improvements Act (S. 1256) provides working capital to small businesses, loans for fixed assets and equipment through economic development corporations with a local focus, and strengthens micro-credit programs.
“These programs will leverage $87 billion in loans to America’s small businesses, filling a critical gap regular markets do not meet – especially in underserved communities,” said Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, who called on the Bush Administration not to obstruct passage of the bill. “These very programs helped create or retain 22,000 jobs in Massachusetts last year, so this legislation is needed to help our small businesses continue to innovate, create jobs, and contribute to our economy.”
On Wednesday, May 2nd, Sen. Kerry hosted a roundtable with small businesses, lenders, advocates and Small Business Administration representatives to receive input on this legislation. The National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, National Black Chamber of Commerce, Association for Enterprise Opportunity, National Association of Development Companies, American Bankers Association, and Independent Community Bankers of America have endorsed S. 1256. A hearing was also held in the Committee in the 109th Congress.
Most of the provisions in the lending bill unanimously passed the Committee with bipartisan support in previous Congresses and were included in last year’s Small Business Administration reauthorization package which was blocked by the Bush Administration for consideration by the full Senate.
The Small Business Lending Reauthorization and Improvements Act:
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NEWS from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship John F. Kerry, Chairman
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 8, 2006 Contact: Kathryn Seck, 202-224-9431
Kerry Urges Bush to Support Microloans for America’s Entrepreneurs as U.S. Funds Microloans Overseas
WASHINGTON – As Congress reviews and debates the President’s proposed budget for next year, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) urged the Bush Administration to fully support the Microloan Program for America’s small business owners. The last three budgets the President sent to Congress sought to eliminate the program, which lends $35,000 or less to help entrepreneurs with their start-ups and provides business counseling. The Fiscal Year 2008 budget proposal does not eliminate the program, but it provides no funding for it, shifts the costs of the program to non-profits who make the loans, and pushes the counseling onto other SBA business without providing funding. As the President has cut funding for microloans to businesses in this country, he has expanded U.S. funded microloans overseas, including Iraq.
In October 2006 Muhammad Yunus received the Nobel Peace Prize for creating the concept of microcredit to lend money to the poor in 1976, having lent about $5.7 billion to some seven million people. In 2005, the United States spent over $200 million on microloan programs in other countries. Over $54 million in microloans have been disbursed in Iraq, according to U.S. Ambassador Khalilzad and earlier this year the Bush Administration announced plans to continue to pursue a microloan program in Iraq.
“If we can fund microloans in Baghdad, we should fund microloans in Boston and every other city in America,” said Kerry, Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “Unfortunately the President’s budget is a tripple whammy for our micro-entrepreneurs right here at home – it raises interest rates, fails to fund the program, and cuts the important counseling assistance component that truly helps them succeed.”
The Administration’s Support for Microloans in Iraq:
“The efforts of the US government in its assistance to Iraq have been broad
based…. For example, over $54 million in micro-loans have been disbursed,
resulting in 26,700 loans in twelve cities, and the program is set to expand to
even more areas. Also, a Loan Guarantee Corporation is currently being
established to encourage private banks to make loans to small businesses.”
–Ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad, U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, May 9, 2006 (http://iraq.usembassy.gov/iraq
“We will help local leaders improve their capacity to govern and deliver
public services. Our economic efforts will be more targeted on specific local
needs with proven records of success, like micro-credit programs. And we will
engage with leading private sector enterprises and other local businesses,
including the more promising state-owned firms, to break the obstacles to
growth.” –Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Foreign Relations Committee
hearing on the Administration’s Plan for Iraq, January 11, 2007 (http://foreign.senate.gov
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Kathryn Seck, Press Secretary U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship John F. Kerry, Chairman 428A Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Office: (202) 224-9431 Mobile: (202) 380-6508 Fax: (202) 224-5619
Sen. John Kerry Takes Over as Chairman, Announces Organizational Meeting
In his first act as Chair of the Committee, Senator John Kerry will hold the first business meeting of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for the 110th Congress next Thursday, January 18, 2007. The meeting will be held in 428A Russell Senate Office Building and will be broadcast on http://sbc.senate.gov/.
The purpose of the meeting is to pass the Committee’s rules and adopt the Committee’s budget. With 21 years of experience on the Committee, Kerry looks forward to working with his colleagues to assist small businesses and foster the entrepreneurial spirit across the United States. By working to increase access to capital and federal contracts and by helping to enact common-sense tax proposals and small-business-friendly regulations, Kerry has proven himself a tireless advocate for small businesses. The other members of the Committee are:
Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Ranking Member Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) Sen. Kit Bond (R-Mo.) Sen. Joe Lieberman (I/D-Conn.) Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.) Sen. David Vitter (R-La.) Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) Sen. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.) Sen. Evan Bayh (D-Ind.) Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) Sen. John Tester (D-Mont.) Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.)
Kerry’s Small Business Priorities for the 110th Congress
Last week, Senator Kerry outlined some of his small business priorities for the new Congress by introducing four bills that will assist small businesses. These bills will improve the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Disaster Loan Program, reduce health care costs for small businesses, reform the Alternative Minimum Tax, and expand opportunities for minority entrepreneurs.
Reducing Health Care Costs for America’s Small Businesses Kerry’s Small Business Health Care Tax Credit Act of 2007, would provide small firms with a refundable tax credit and would significantly improve small firms’ ability to offer health coverage for their employees.
“One of my top priorities is to reduce the skyrocketing cost of health care in this country,” said Kerry. “When it comes to small business, owners should focus on what they do best – creating jobs and contributing to the economy – instead of worrying about whether they can afford to provide health benefits. This legislation to help small businesses is a good interim step towards helping all Americans by lowering health care costs.”
The bill provides small firms with less than 50 employees a refundable tax credit to help with the cost of health insurance for employees earning $5,000 -- $50,000 a year. In order to receive the credit, the employer must pay at least 50 percent of the health care insurance premium.
Overhauling the Disaster Loan Program and Improving Disaster Response Improving the SBA Disaster Loan Program is a top priority for Senator Kerry as Chair of the Small Business Committee this year. On the first day of the 110th Congress, Kerry reintroduced bipartisan legislation with Ranking Member Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) and Committee members Mary Landrieu (D-La.) and David Vitter (R-La.) to help small businesses and homeowners better recover from disasters.
The Small Business Disaster Response and Loan Improvements Act of 2007 establishes a Private Disaster Loan (PDL) program to allow banks to make loans directly to disaster victims, requires the SBA to draft rules creating a new “expedited disaster assistance business loan program,” to provide small businesses with access to capital immediately following a disaster, creates a new presidential declaration of catastrophic national disaster to allow businesses across the country to access low interest loans in the event of a large scale disaster, and authorizes the SBA to make low interest loans to fuel dependent small businesses under extraordinary fuel price increases.
Enacting Common-Sense Tax Proposals for Small Businesses With more and more businesses being affected by the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT), Sen. Kerry believes reforming the tax is critical to keeping small businesses competitive and successful. Kerry’s proposal, which is the same as legislation he introduced last year, expands and extends the individual AMT exemption amount for 2007 and allows nonrefundable credits against the AMT for 2007. It is revenue neutral and is offset by repealing the lower rates on capital gains and dividends for 2009 and 2010.
Expanding Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Minority Communities To create more opportunities for small business ownership in minority communities, Kerry introduced last week the Minority Entrepreneurship Development Act. This legislation establishes an Office of Minority Small Business Development at the SBA to help advocate minority small business issues within the agency, creates a competitive grant program to encourage high-achieving students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions and Tribal Colleges to pursue business as a career path, and increases access to online distance learning programs for minorities.
Kerry Introduces Wireless Innovation Act
On January 9, 2007, Senator Kerry and Senator Smith of Oregon introduced the Wireless Innovation Act of 2007. This bill is designed to help make affordable and competitive high-speed Internet access available to unconnected communities throughout the country. The bill mirrors legislation that Kerry authored in the 109th Congress, which passed Committee but was not considered by the Full Senate. The legislation is particularly important for small firms in rural and underserved communities that require broadband access in order to conduct business and remain competitive. The bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to permit use of the unassigned broadcast spectrum, also referred to as “white spaces,” for new wireless broadband applications. Since more than 60 percent of the country remains unconnected to broadband services -- primarily because they are unavailable or unaffordable – Kerry’s measure will take one concrete step in offering an additional and affordable broadband option.
NEWS from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship John F. Kerry, Ranking Member
For Immediate Release: July 17, 2006 Contacts: Chris Chichester (Snowe), 202-228-5843 Kathryn Seck (Kerry), 202-224-9431
Snowe, Kerry Introduce Bill To Expand Women Business Ownership
WASHINGTON – Senator Olympia J. Snowe and Senator John F. Kerry, Chair and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, have introduced bipartisan legislation, The Women’s Small Business Ownership Programs Act of 2006 (S. 3659), which will help increase the number of women-owned small businesses and strengthen the successful Women’s Business Center (WBC) Program.
“As Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, my goal is to ensure that every woman who owns a small business in America - or any woman who dreams of owning one – has access to the resources and support they need to embark on that next, great entrepreneurial adventure. This legislation will help them achieve that goal,” said Senator Snowe. “The Women’s Business Center program provides the essential tools and opportunities necessary for women-owned small business to create jobs and compete in the global economy. In my home state of Maine more than 63,000 women-owned firms generated an astounding $9 billion in sales, according to the Center for Women’s Business Research.”
“Women entrepreneurs are driving innovation in our country, and Women’s Business Centers are a tool that helps them keep America competitive. These centers help turn business plans into business success. We can keep this momentum going, and help women entrepreneurs succeed if we make a real commitment to small businesses in Washington,” said Kerry.
The Women’s Small Business Ownership Programs Act of 2006 allows new Women’s Business Centers to receive an initial four-year grant, with only the proven, successful centers able to receive additional three-year renewal grants. Thus, experienced centers will not be forced to shut down due to a lack of funding and women will continue receiving assistance from both new and existing WBCs. This concept of sustaining centers beyond their initial grant cycle was introduced by Senator Kerry in 1999 in his Women's Business Center Sustainability Pilot Program. Senator Snowe was a cosponsor of that legislation.
The proposal also improves the independent National Women’s Business Council, which advises the President and Congress on issues affecting female entrepreneurs, by ensuring the Administration makes bipartisan appointments and by allowing the Council to take a more active role in business research and promotion. To increase the involvement of the women’s business community, the legislation calls for more consultation with the Association of Women’s Business Centers, the National Women’s Business Council and the Interagency Committee on Women’s Business Enterprise.
According to the Small Business Administration (SBA) which runs the WBC program, there are more than 9 million women-owned businesses employing 27.5 million people and contributing $3.6 trillion to the economy.
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NEWS from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship John F. Kerry, Ranking Member
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2006 Contact: Kathryn Seck, 202-224-9431
Government Dismantles Veterans Small Business Contracting Office, Terminates Veterans’ Advisory Committee
WASHINGTON – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today voiced his concerns about two severe actions taken by the Bush Administration, turning its back on the veteran’s community during a time of war. Without consultation or notification, the Bush Administration has closed its office at the Small Business Administration (SBA) solely dedicated to helping veteran-owned small businesses gain access to federal contracts. The Administration has also informed the Veterans Advisory Committee, another group dedicated to helping veteran small business owners, that their charter will not be extended and instead will expire this September. These unprecedented moves hurt America’s veteran entrepreneurs and raise serious questions about the Administration’s commitment to comply with federal law.
“The Administration finally informed us three weeks late that thieves walked off with the Social Security Numbers and personal information of over 26 million veterans, but the Bush administration has failed to come forward publicly to announce they recently decided to close the SBA’s Veterans Office and disband the Veterans Advisory Committee. This complete lack of commitment to our veterans is really appalling, especially just before Memorial Day,” said Kerry, Ranking Democrat on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
In closing the contracting assistance office, the Small Business Administration (SBA) has eliminated the one office solely dedicated to implementing a law that requires three percent of all federal contracting dollars to be awarded to service-disabled veteran owned firms. The government has failed to meet this goal and has also failed to develop and support the Veteran’s Advisory Committee, as required by law passed in 1999. Last year, the federal government awarded just .38 percent of contract dollars to companies owned by service-disabled veterans, costing them nearly $9 billion in lost contracts.
“It is shameful that in a time of war, the Administration saw fit to abandon our commitment to those who have honorably served our country – and the brave men and women serving today who will be the proud veterans of tomorrow. Now, it should be our turn to serve them, by protecting their personal information and by providing them with opportunities to start a business, or rekindle businesses that are struggling from recent deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Kerry.
Joe Wynn, President of the VETs Group and executive member of the Task Force for Veterans Entrepreneurship, said, “Despite the best efforts of the Task Force and other veteran's groups to work with the SBA to help make the Veterans Procurement Program under PL 108-183 become a success for the government and for the service disabled veteran business owners that it was designed to serve, the SBA continues to demonstrate a seemingly disregard for carrying out the President's Executive Order, 13-360, which instructed the SBA to provide information, federal procurement training, and assistance to increase participation in federal contracting for service disabled veteran business owners.”
Bob Hesser, also a member of the Task Force for Veterans Entrepreneurship, and President of Vetrepreneur, LLC a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned small business said, “During the short time the SBA's Veteran's office existed there were meaningful actions that gave us a belief that someone cared. I am just not sure of that today!”
The SBA has also failed to respond to a letter sent on February 27, 2006 from Senator Kerry and Senator Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii), Ranking Member of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, regarding their role in implementing the Veteran’s Benefits Act of 2003.
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NEWS from the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship John F. Kerry, Ranking Member FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 16, 2006 CONTACT: Kathryn Seck, (202) 224-9431
Kerry Calls on Government to Expand Opportunities for Women, Minorities in Venture Capital program
Today Senator John Kerry (D-Mass), Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, called on the federal government to expand participation of women and minorities in the Small Business Administration’s venture capital program. During President Bush’s tenure, the percentage of venture capital investments through the SBA’s Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program in firms owned by women and minorities has remained unacceptably low. “Small businesses cannot rely solely upon loans to build their businesses. They need venture capital to help grow their businesses, create jobs and contribute to the economy,” said Kerry. “There is a growing gap between the amount of venture capital available to small businesses owned by women and minorities compared with other small businesses, and we have to fix that.” According to a study conducted by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, less than 1 percent of the $250 billion in venture capital dollars invested annually nationwide is made available to meet the needs of the country’s 4.4 million minority business owners. Although women own approximately 40 percent of all businesses in the United States, they receive less than 5 percent of all venture capital investment. “One way to solve this problem is by getting minority- and women-owned venture capital firms involved in the process,” said Kerry. “The SBA needs to change its tune and start welcoming these companies.” Six years ago, minority-owned firms received just over 20 percent of all SBIC program deals and four percent of the dollars, and women-owned businesses accounted for less than six percent of deals and less than two percent of the money. The most recent data from two years ago shows minority-owned firms’ share of the SBIC deals declined to about 10 percent, though dollars they received grew slightly to just over five percent. Women-owned businesses declined to only three percent of deals and saw a slight increase to 2.2 percent of the money. This lack of growth in helping women and minority small business owners is compounded by the Administration’s refusal to support and fund the New Markets Venture Capital program that was designed specifically to target areas with low levels of employment and capital investment and ensure equity financing.
Following is the text of a letter
Kerry sent to SBA Administrator Hector Barreto requesting immediate attention to
this issue: February 16, 2006 The Honorable Hector V. Barreto Administrator U.S. Small Business Administration 409 3rd Street S.W. Washington, D.C. 20416 Dear Administrator Barreto: There has been a consistent and significant decline in the number of Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) financings to minority and woman-owned firms, according to statistics compiled by the Small Business Administration’s Investment Division. In April 2004, I contacted your office raising concerns about the continued decline of minority participation in the SBIC programs, and I am disappointed that the Agency has not made progress in addressing this trend. This is a serious problem, compounded by the lack of support and funding for the New Markets Venture Capital program under your leadership. The need for SBA’s small business venture capital programs is clear. According to a study conducted by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, less than 1 percent of the $250 billion in venture capital dollars nationwide is made available to meet the needs of the country’s 4.4 million minority business owners. Women-owned businesses are also severely under-represented in access to venture capital dollars. Although women own approximately 40 percent of all businesses in the U.S., they receive less than 5 percent of all venture capital investment. It is because of this gap, and a general gap of equity investment in small business, that the SBA’s venture capital programs exist. Unfortunately, the SBA does not seem to be investing in the firms most in need of venture capital dollars, minority and women-owned businesses. Evidence shows that financing of minority-owned venture capital firms reached a high point of 25.6 percent in 1998 and a steady decline in utilization during the tenure of the Bush Administration. · In FY 2000, minority-owned firms received 20.4 percent of all SBIC program financings but only 4.1 percent of financing dollars. Women-owned businesses accounted for 5.9 percent of financings and only 1.9 percent of financing dollars. · In FY 2001, minority-owned firms saw a significant reduction in their portion of SBIC financings to 11.9 percent and 3.3 percent of financing dollars. Women-owned businesses also saw a reduction to 4 percent of all financings and 1.4 percent of financing dollars. · In FY 2002, minority-owned firms’ share of the SBIC financings were further reduced to 10.2 percent and only received a dismal 4.3 percent of financing dollars. Women-owned businesses accounted for 2.6 percent of financings and only .8 percent of financing dollars. · In FY 2003, minority-owned firms’ share of the SBIC financings increased slightly to 13.9 percent and 5.9 percent of financing dollars. Women-owned businesses accounted for 3.1 percent of financings and 1.8 percent of financing dollars. · In FY 2004, minority-owned firms share of the SBIC financings again declined to 10.6 percent and 5.2 percent of financing dollars. Women-owned businesses accounted for 3 percent of financings and saw an increase to 2.2 percent of financing dollars. As the Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, pursuant to section 10 of the Small Business Act, 15 U.S.C. 639, I request the following information be submitted to the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship by Wednesday, March 1, 2006: 1) How does the SBA plan to increase SBIC financings in women-owned and minority-owned firms? 2) The study released by the Kauffman Foundation also found that investment firms owned or managed by minorities or women are more likely to invest in businesses owned by minorities and women. How does the SBA plan to expand the participation of SBICs owned or managed by women or minorities? 3) Please provide the breakdown of licenses to women and minorities from 1998 to the present. 4) Please provide a similar demographic breakdown for licensees and financings in the New Markets Venture Capital program since its inception. If you have any questions regarding this request, please contact me or have a member of your staff contact my Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee staff at (202) 224-8496. Thank you for your prompt assistance on this important issue.
January 2006
109th
Congress Closes with Little Action on Small Business Initiatives
Citing Lack of Adequate Response to Hurricane Disaster, Velázquez Calls for Resignation of SBA Administrator
Amid widespread reports that the Small Business Administration
(SBA) has failed to provide
Gulf Coast
entrepreneurs with the disaster assistance they need in the wake of Hurricanes
Katrina, Rita and Wilma - Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Democrat on
the House Small Business Committee, has called for the resignation of SBA
Administrator Hector Barreto. On top of these issues, small business owners have faced many difficulties in accessing capital, particularly through SBA's flagship 7(a) lending program. Responsible for 30 percent of all long term lending, the 7(a) program was temporarily shut down after the agency failed to notify Congress that the program needed additional funding to operate. The program continues to struggle, with the most recent loan statistics showing that small businesses have received a half a billion dollars less for the first quarter of FY 2006 when compared to the previous quarter - illustrating that less loans are being made to entrepreneurs.
Committee Democrats Release Report on State of Minority Businesses in America
Legislation Introduced to Address Pressing Needs of Minority Business Owners
December 16, 2005 Subject: Minority Business Summit Report Released by U.S. House Small Business Committee Democrats
On behalf of the Democratic Members of the House Small Business Committee, I want to share the report that resulted from the discussions that took place during the annual Minority Business Summit in September. My colleagues and I would like to thank those of you who participated in this event, which yielded helpful insight into how we can best aid America's small businesses.
As a key member of the small business community, I hope you will find this report useful and will continue to stay in contact with us over the coming year while Congress works toward improving the economic climate for this nation's 23 million small firms. If you have any questions about this report, please do not hesitate to contact a member of the committee staff at (202) 225-4038.
Sincerely,
Nydia M. Velázquez Ranking Democratic Member House Small Business Committee
December 9, 2005 The Republican Leadership has announced that the Border Security Act will be considered in Congress next week as well as the Budget Reconciliation Conference Report. These two pieces of legislation are critical and will impact your communities tremendously.
BORDER SECURITY
On December 7th, the Judiciary Committee passed one of the most anti-immigrant border enforcement proposals we have seen in Congress. This bill will not only impact businesses and employers through a dramatic verification system that will disrupt the economy and destabilize U.S. workers, but aims to treat immigrants as criminals and proposes to eliminate citizenship opportunities that are currently available. Below please see remarks from Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi on border security during her weekly news conference in her office in the Capitol on December 8.
There is a markup today on a border security bill that looks like it won't include guest worker or other immigration provisions. What will your strategy be when that legislation comes to the floor? How many votes do you think there would be in your Caucus for the alternative that is being proposed by Congressmen Kolbe, Gutierrez, and Flake?
Ms. Pelosi. First of all, when it comes to immigration, we have to have a comprehensive immigration bill. And in the bill by Mr. Gutierrez and Mr. Kolbe, the bipartisan bill, it begins with border security. It begins with border security and then it goes to the other issues that would have a comprehensive approach to our immigration policy.
There are some other nasty bills floating around, one of them in the Judiciary Committee today that Mr. Sensenbrenner is putting forth, and that bill is one that should be roundly and soundly rejected by the committee and certainly by the Congress.
But I call upon the President to take the leadership, bring Congress together to do a comprehensive immigration bill. It is about our country. This shouldn't even be partisan, and that is why I'm glad the Kolbe-Gutierrez bill is not.
BUDGET
The House-Senate conference report contains damaging spending cuts to health care, student aid, Medicaid, and rural/agriculture programs. It will increase the national debt and provides tax cuts to the wealthy. Click here to read a document by the House Budget Committee Democratic staff that provides a comprehensive analysis on the budget conference report.
TENTATIVE FLOOR SCHEDULE--WEEK OF DECEMBER 12, 2005
Wednesday, December 14, 2005 and the balance of the week .
· H.R. 4437 – Border Security Act of 2005 (Rep.Sensenbrenner - Judiciary)
· H.R. 3199 – USA PATRIOT Conference Report (Sensenbrenner - Judiciary)
· H.R. 3010 –Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Conference Report (Regula – Appropriations)
· H.R. 2863 – Defense Appropriations Conference Report (Young {FL} – Appropriations)
· H.R. 1815 – Defense Authorization Conference Report (Hunter – Armed Services)
· POSSIBLE LEGISLATION:
H.R. 4297 - Tax Reconciliation Act Conference Report (Rep. Thomas – Ways & Means)
H.R. 4241 - Reconciliation Spending Cuts Act Conference Report (Rep. Nussle – Budget)
December 9, 2005 Pelosi Brings Up Privileged Resolution to Denounce Republican Culture of Corruption Yesterday, Leader Pelosi introduced a privileged resolution denouncing the culture of corruption that pervades the Republican leadership. Across the country, seniors are trying to navigate the complicated and confusing Republican Medicare Drug Plan. Republicans had an opportunity to join Democrats to create real, defined, and guaranteed prescription drug benefits. Instead, on November 22, 2003, the Republican leadership held the vote open on the Prescription Drug bill for nearly three hours, the longest period of time in the history of electronic voting in the US House of Representatives, so they could pass a bill that meets the needs of the drug companies and private insurers, not the needs of America’s seniors. This special-interest bill was enacted under an ethical cloud: the GOP leadership attempted to bribe former Rep. Nick Smith on the House Floor; the Administration hid the true cost estimates of the bill from Members of Congress; and while negotiating this special-interest drug bill, a GOP committee chairman was concurrently negotiating a job with PhRMA, the drug industry’s lobby. The actions taken to pass this prescription drug bill cast a dark ethical cloud over the laws that the Republicans enact and the agendas that they pursue. Pelosi's resolution calls on the House to denounce the Republicans' culture of corruption, reject the practice of improperly holding votes open beyond a reasonable period of time for the sole purpose of circumventing the will of the House, and direct the Speaker to take such steps as necessary to prevent any further abuse.
This week House Republicans forced through a fiscally irresponsible tax bill to pay for more tax breaks for the nation’s millionaires. This tax bill, along with $50 billion in cuts to vital programs for students, seniors, children, and rural families that passed a few weeks ago, is part of the immoral Republican budget. So embarrassed were they by their own budget that they had to have a three week delay between passing tax cuts and the spending cuts that will be used to pay for more tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. Republicans were trying to hide their misguided priorities from the American people as their budget bill is poor in its values, poor in its priorities, and increases our deficit. The Administration’s economic policies have already been harming middle-class families. Working families are struggling with high fuel costs, high health care costs and high education costs. Meanwhile, real wages are falling. The tax cuts would only serve to increase deficits, plunging future generations into debt and threatening the economic stability of our nation for generations to come. House Democrats want an America that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. Leader Pelosi’s remarks on the tax bill. Watch Leader Pelosi and other House Democrats speaking out against the tax bill.
President Bush Gives Lip Service to Security and Economy in Iraq This week, as President Bush delivered an anecdotal speech about economic progress in Iraq, he neglected to address the persistent problems with Iraq's reconstruction from the lack of oil production and electricity generation to the estimated 40 percent unemployment rate. While giving lip service to security and the economy in Iraq, President Bush ignores those unmet needs here at home. The failing grades on the 9/11 Commission’s final report card this week so clearly point out that the Bush Administration has ignored America's security needs. The Bush Administration talks about helping the Persian Gulf while ignoring the destroyed lives on the Gulf Coast. Democrats believe a stronger America begins at home. We must make America safer, make our military stronger, and make Iraq more stable. Our troops deserve nothing less and the American people expect nothing less. Let Leader Pelosi know what you think about the Murtha Plan.
9/11 Commission Issues Final Report Card, Gives President Bush and Congress Failing Grades This week, the 9/11 Commission issued its final report card, giving the Bush Administration and the Republican led Congress unsatisfactory grades on implementing the security recommendations in the 9/11 Commission Report. With 17 Ds and Fs awarded, the Commission’s final report card made it clear that the Bush Administration and Republican Congress have failed to meet the security needs of our nation. Despite long identified security gaps at our ports, our nuclear power plants and chemical production facilities, and on our commercial aircrafts, President Bush and Republican Congressional leaders have done little to close these gaps and make Americans safer. Four years have passed since the terrorist attacks of 9/11, yet the Administration and Republican Congress have not made the safety of the American people an urgent priority. Democrats continue to support addressing all of the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, and will continue to fight for bipartisan solutions that will keep Americans safer. Read Leader Pelosi's statement.
Home Heating Costs Skyrocket, Democrats Fight for Energy Assistance On Wednesday, House Democrats announced new legislation to help hard-working American families pay their skyrocketing energy bills. During these cold winter months, American families are struggling to pay their home heating bills, yet the Republicans in Congress continue to offer tax cuts to oil companies making record profits rather than addressing the needs of the American people. The Democratic plan repeals billions in tax breaks and subsidies for oil and gas companies and helps Americans by funding the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and relief efforts for small businesses. Together, America can do better than leaving millions of families, farmers, and small businesses out in the cold. Get the facts on the Energy Consumer Relief Act of 2005.
Bush Administration Lets Oil Company Cronies Craft Energy Policy This week, delegates from 189 countries met at a United Nations summit in Montreal to discuss climate change. But instead of working toward real measures to cap greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment, U.S. delegate Harlan Watson refused to even talk about emissions targets or what to do when the first phase of the Kyoto Protocol climate treaty ends in 2012. It is as if he were representing the interests of the oil industry, not the American public. In fact, a memo shows oil industry executives worked with the Bush Administration and Republican House Speaker Dennis Hastert to handpick Watson for his current position. The State Department refuses to comment, while oil industry officials refuse to identify the author of the memo. The Republican culture of cronyism has allowed giant corporations to write the nation’s energy laws and craft its public policy. House Democrats want to put the American people first, not corporate profits. Americans want balanced energy, not favors for oil companies. Learn more about Bush Cronyism.
December 8, 2005 Today, the House will take up H.R. 4297, Tax Reconciliation Bill. In addition to extending a variety of tax cuts, the bill extends the capital gains and dividends tax breaks for two years and increases the deficit by $81 billion. House Democrats will be introducing an alternative that strikes the extension of the capital gains and dividend tax cuts, and pays for the measure through reducing the size of the President’s tax cuts for those with incomes over $1 million for joint returns. Key Points: · The tax bill that will increase the deficit by $81 billion. · Republicans are fighting to give another round of tax breaks to the wealthy few, at the expense of the middle class. · The Republican bill will raise taxes on more than 17 million middle-class families by as much as $3,640, while millionaires would get tax cuts as much as $32,000. · These tax breaks for the wealthy few will be paid for through spending cuts that harm those who need help the most, including college students, seniors, children, and rural families. · Democrats are seeking to move our country in a new direction -- to make an America that works for everyone, not just for the few. We are offering fiscally responsible tax cuts to spur economic growth, while protecting the middle class and our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. · Together America can do better than more tax breaks for the wealthy few, financed through spending cuts that harm those who need help the most and saddling our children and grandchildren with even more debt.
Budget
·
Western Governors to Criticize House
Mining/Land Giveaway
· Budget Bill Pressures may Hurt Patent Reform Chances Mineweb - Dec 08 12:13 AM SPOKANE, WASHINGTON--(Mineweb.com) Senator Larry Craig, R-Idaho, Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands and Forests, expressed concern Wednesday that a House attempt to change the 1872 Mining Law may not survive the budget reconciliation process next week.
· Dramatic church call for defeat of anti-poor US budget Ekklesia - Dec 07 5:17 PM In a dramatic confrontation with the Bush administration Presiding Bishop Frank Griswold of the Episcopal (Anglican) Church USA, together with the leaders of four other mainline denominations, has called on the United States Congress to defeat the 2006 Federal Budget “once and for all”, because it betrays the poor.
December 7, 2005 Tax Relief for Middle Income Families
Today, the House is considering H.R. 4096, the Stealth Tax Relief Act—a bill which includes a one-year fix of the Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) to prevent tax increases on more than 17 million middle-class families next year. The alternative minimum tax was created to prevent wealthy families from using so many credits, deductions and shelters that they paid no tax. But it now threatens to raise taxes on an increasing number of middle-class taxpayers each year, because it is not indexed to inflation. While Democrats support this bill, it does not do enough to help middle-class families from tax increases.
· Just Playing Politics with Taxes on Middle-Class Families. If House Republicans were serious about fixing the AMT, they would have included it in the Tax Reconciliation bill, which they are dead set on making sure it becomes law, like the Senate has. Instead, they have put it in a separate bill that is likely to go nowhere. Republicans have repeatedly shortchanged the middle-income tax provisions, making them temporary, in order to pay for their tax cuts for the wealthy – rate cuts for millionaires and corporate dividends and capital gains.
· House Republicans have Chosen Tax Cuts for the Wealthy Few at the Expense of Middle-Class Families in the Tax Reconciliation Bill. The Republican reconciliation tax bill, which will be considered tomorrow, raises taxes on more than 17 million middle-class families by as much as $3,640, while reserving 45 percent of the tax breaks in the bill for millionaires -- providing an average tax break of $32,000 to these wealthy few. When faced with a choice, Republicans decided to raise taxes on that backs of 17 million middle-class families next year, in order to pay for tax cuts for millionaires in 2009 and 2010. News: ·
NAACP STRONGLY OPPOSES THE 2006 BUDGET RECONCILIATION BILL, WEEK
... ·
Federal budget doesn't reflect nation's values, obligations
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Federal budget cuts could cost student loan programs
· Opposition increases to mining provision Montrose Daily Press-- A controversial provision in a congressional budget reconciliation bill that critics say would open up large tracts of the public domain could be headed for its demise. Congress Daily AM House-Senate negotiators are nearing agreement on a $45 billion five-year savings target through an array of program cuts, pension premium increases and broadcast spectrum sales. The measure would move as a stand-alone "reconciliation" bill, which is not subject to filibuster in the Senate. House Budget Chairman Nussle and other top lawmakers and staff expressed optimism the package could be completed this year. But major hurdles remain on how to reach $45 billion in savings, with drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge and cuts to Medicare, Medicaid, food stamps and other programs still unresolved and casting doubt on the timetable set by GOP leaders. Senate Budget Chairman Gregg conceded that completing the deficit-cutting bill by Christmas was "problematic" but that progress might speed up once the Senate reconvenes next week. By Peter Cohn
Nancy Pelosi-House Democratic Leader November 18, 2005 Rep. Murtha: It is Time to Bring the Troops Home "The
war in Iraq is not going as advertised. Rep. John Murtha (D-PA), a decorated Vietnam
combat veteran and retired Marine colonel with 37 years of military service,
introduced a resolution yesterday to bring our troops home. Instead of engaging
in a legitimate discussion and debate about our presence in
Iraq, Republicans today engaged in an act of deception that undermines any
shred of integrity that is left in this Republican Congress. Rep. Duncan Hunter
(R-CA) introduced a disingenuous resolution calling for the immediate withdrawal
of troops from Iraq, turning a serious
proposal offered by Rep. Murtha into a political stunt. Republican Senator
Robert Taft of Ohio had this to say about our duty in a time of war: 'Criticism
in a time of war is essential to the maintenance of any kind of democratic
government.' He was a Republican, it was during World War II, and what he said
was right. Let us all join Rep. Murtha in saluting our troops for their courage,
patriotism, and the sacrifice they are willing to make for our country - and
thank Mr. Murtha for his loyalty to them.
House Democrats Launch Innovation Agenda The talent, intellect and entrepreneurial spirit of the American people have made this nation the world leader in business, technology and academics. But America is being seriously challenged. Other countries are investing in their industries, strengthening their economies and trying to catch up with us. That is why House Democrats have put together our Innovation Agenda - a bold new plan that will ensure that our children and grandchildren continue the American tradition of leading the world in economic growth, top-of-the-line education and cutting edge technology. With the Innovation Agenda, responsible budget policies and priorities that work for all Americans, America can do better. Watch Leader Pelosi's speech introducing the Innovation Agenda. Learn more about the Innovation Agenda. Real words on the Innovation Agenda.
As Medicare's 42 million beneficiaries sort through countless prescription drug plans to determine which covers the needed drugs for the best price at the right pharmacy, many seniors are frustrated and confused by the new drug plans. More than 60 percent of seniors don't understand the new drug program, yet Republicans have refused to listen to the concerns of seniors and people with disabilities. In fact, the Administration sent incorrect information to beneficiaries, and now Health and Human Services tells seniors to use the web to get the correct information, even though 75 percent of seniors don't use the internet. Beneficiaries need more time and assistance to navigate through the confusing Medicare drug plans that are now available to them. Democrats are proposing a bill to extend the enrollment period by six months to give beneficiaries more time to choose a drug plan, and allow them to change plans once during the year if they make an initial mistake. In addition to giving seniors more time to make the best choice, Democrats are also fighting for real measures that would reduce drug prices - including giving Medicare the authority to negotiate with drug companies for lower drug prices and allowing the reimportation of safe prescription drugs from other countries.
House Democrats successfully defeated the Republican Labor-HHS-Education Appropriations bill on Thursday. Despite Republicans holding the vote open beyond the 15-minute time limit, they were unable to force through this miserable legislation. The bill would have invested $1.5 billion less in critical education, health care and job assistance than last year. Funding for No Child Left Behind would have been cut and student financial aid initiatives would have been frozen. The bill would have also frozen funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, which makes heating homes more affordable, at a time when Americans are facing skyrocketing energy prices. This legislation would have completely eliminated the Healthy Communities Access Program, leaving 70 communities around the country without the health care they need. America can do better than paying for additional tax cuts for millionaires by cutting vital services for working families. House Democrats support students. House Democrats fight to expand health care.
This week, Leader Pelosi joined other Democratic leaders in calling on Speaker Hastert to allow Congressman Murtha to offer a motion that would demonstrate the House's strong opposition to the torture of detainees by adopting the McCain Amendment that passed overwhelmingly in the Senate. Torture is wrong and is anathema to the values Americans have held dear for generations. It is also ineffective, because it induces prisoners to say what their interrogators want to hear, rather than providing reliable information. U.S. soldiers need to have one, clear standard for interrogating prisoners that is effective, lawful and humane - with no ambiguity. Enacting the McCain anti-torture provisions will send a message to the world that there will be no more Abu Ghraibs and help restore our reputation and standing in the world community. Working together, we can protect our troops, our country and our values. Read Leader Pelosi's statement.
Democrats Fight to Eliminate the Military Families Tax This week, Democrats, led by Rep. Chet Edwards (D-TX), launched a discharge petition to force a vote to end the Military Families Tax. This tax unfairly penalizes the more than 50,000 widows of those who died as a result of their service-connected injuries - forcing widows to lose their survivor benefits. For the past three years, Democrats have been fighting to end this unfair and unjust provision that hurts the families of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom and democracy. The Senate voted overwhelmingly to end this injustice on a bipartisan basis last week, while House Republicans in Washington have blocked even considering such a proposal. Together, America can do better than an unfair tax on military families who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: April Boyd, 202-224-4159 November 17, 2005
Kerry Amendment to Hold TSA Accountable Passes Senate Commerce Committee
WASHINGTON - Today, the Senate Commerce Committee adopted an amendment offered by Senator John Kerry (D - Mass.) that will increase transparency and accountability at the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) -- working to put an end to excess profits from no-bid contracts.
TSA is the largest contractor within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and has a record of mismanagement and lack of transparency in its acquisitions.TSA issued a “cost-plus-a-percentage” contract to Boeing that resulted in Boeing being paid $49 million in excess profit. TSA has also been unable to provide paperwork that would explain a $600 million increase over 9 months paid to Pearson Government Solutions.
Kerry's amendment will repeal TSA’s exemption from the federal procurement laws that nearly every other agency, including the Department of Defense, must abide by.
The DHS Inspector General and GAO have investigated several TSA-issued contracts that were mismanaged and lacked transparency. In May 2004 the GAO conducted an investigation into TSA’s acquisition office which was so disorganized staff had to rummage through boxes of files to piece together the details of 21 contracts it was reviewing.
Kerry said, “At a time when homeland security should be our utmost priority, TSA has the important job of monitoring the safety and security of our ports, airports, highways and bridges. It’s essential that we hold TSA to higher standards. Americans' hard-earned tax dollars - and more importantly, our safety and security - are in TSA’s hands.”
Kerry added, “As the Ranking Member of the Small Business Committee, I have been particularly concerned that TSA has been exempt from requirements that they work with small businesses. My amendment will open doors for small businesses to compete for TSA contracts from which they have been excluded in the past.”
Under Kerry’s amendment, TSA would be subject to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), just like every other federal agency:
· FAR covers every major procurement law, including the Competition in Contracting Act and the Small Business Act, and requires every agency and its contractors to submit contract information to the federal government, to provide open competition in contracting, and to provide opportunities for small businesses to compete for contracts.
·Since 9/11, the TSA has been exempt from every major procurement law. TSA had broad authority to sidestep normal competitive bidding practices and use a “single source” if it decides that there is a rational basis for doing so. ###
For Immediate Release Contact: Jay Staunton: 202.225.3327 November 16, 2005 jay.staunton@mail.house.gov
Bill Preserves Japanese American Interment Camps Reps. Honda, Matsui Original Co-Sponsors
Washington, DC - US Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), today joined other CAPAC members and Republican leadership to hail passage of legislation that provides for the preservation of the historic internment camps where Japanese Americans were detained during World War II.
House Ways and Means Chairman Bill Thomas (R-CA) and CAPAC member Doris Matsui (D-CA) joined Honda as original co-sponsors of HR 1492, which creates a grant program to fund public-private partnerships that will purchase and restore "historic confinement sites" so future generations can learn the lessons of the Japanese American internment.
"By preserving these sites, we show all Americans and the world that we are a nation that can deal honestly with past wrongs and show that we can learn from our mistakes," Congressman Honda said. "This preservation program demonstrates our commitment to equal justice under the law."
"These camps are the physical - tangible - representation of our government's failure to protect the Constitutional right of every American. However, they are also a symbol of this nation's ability to recognize and acknowledge our mistakes," stated Congresswoman Doris O. Matsui. "For both of these reasons it is essential that the internment camps be preserved and maintained. Through preservation of the camps, new generations of Americans will learn the lessons of this tragic period - and significantly, the lesson will not fade from our national memory. In protecting them, we are reaffirming our belief in the Constitution and the rights and protections it guarantees for each and every American."
"The internment was one of the darkest chapters in our country's history. More than 100,000 American were unjustly accused of disloyalty and incarcerated without trial solely because of their ancestry," Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-HI) said. "The loyalty and sacrifices of Japanese Americans in World War II provided convincing refutation of the slander, doubts and hysteria which occasioned the internment. No action can cleanse the stain of internment completely or erase the suffering of those who endured it, but the 1988 apology and restitution bill authored by Senator Spark Matsunaga was a big stride in that direction."
"It is right and appropriate that we provide for permanent memorials of this difficult time, when good people did bad things out of fear and ignorance," Congressman Ed Case (D-HI) said.
"With the passage of this bill today, we acknowledge the magnitude of the injustices committed against Japanese-Americans during World War II," Congressman David Wu (D-OR) said. "By preserving sites where Japanese-Americans were detained, we ensure that this sad episode in our history will never be forgotten, and therefore never repeated. Let us learn from the mistakes of our past and demonstrate our commitment to protecting the rights and freedom of all Americans, regardless of heritage."
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SNOWE AMENDMENTS EXPAND CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Olympia J. Snowe (R-Maine), Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, lauded Senate passage of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 Defense Authorization Act, which included six of her amendments that expand contracting opportunities for small businesses. “The primary issue for small business contracting is ensuring access to the federal marketplace and expanding opportunities to compete. My amendments address a number of longstanding concerns small business owners have identified as hindering their ability to win contracts and will help small businesses continue to create 75 percent of all new jobs,” said Senator Snowe. “Small businesses are renowned for their role in making important contributions to our nation’s industrial base by delivering cutting-edge, cost-effective solutions to our civilian and defense agencies,” added Senator Snowe. “My amendments will help build upon that well-deserved reputation and help small businesses remain competitive globally.” Senator Snowe filed six small business amendments, including: * S.A. 2529 - Small Business Contracting in Overseas Procurements This amendment closes the loophole in the way the Federal Government counts its small business prime contracting achievements by requiring that contracts awarded for performance overseas be included in the counting. This amendment implements the GAO’s 2001 report, “Small Business: More Transparency Needed in Prime Contract Goal Program,” which criticized the SBA for excluding billions in Federal contracts from procurement accounting. * S.A. 2530 - Fair Access to Multiple Award Contracts This amendment directs the Federal government to increase access to multiple-award contracts, including Federal Supply Schedule contracts and multi-agency contracts though small business set-asides and accountability to Congress. * S.A. 2528 - Size Standards for Battlefield Contractors This amendment directs the SBA Administrator to study whether small businesses who support the US military as battlefield contractors should be able to exempt extraordinary security-related expenses from being counted against their size standards. Security expenses are generally counted as revenues when reimbursed by the government, but such revenues do not grow the business of small contractors. * S. A. 2574 - Contracting Incentive for Small Power Plants on Former Military Bases This amendment authorizes the Federal Government to contract up to 20 years for purchase of electricity services from small power plants on former military bases. Currently, efforts are under way to revitalize the former Loring Air Force Base by installing and operating a 55 mW renewable power plant. Revenue stream from a 20-year contract could help repay project funding from the Loring Development Authority.
* S.A. 1538 - Competitiveness Demonstration Program Termination This amendment reinstates the Small Business Act and statutory contracting set-asides for the benefit of small businesses involved in construction and specialty trade contracting, refuse systems and related services, landscaping, pest control, non-nuclear ship repair, and architectural and engineering services (including surveying and mapping). The CompDemo unfairly excluded these industries from the Small Business Act and penalized many small entrepreneurs by requiring them to compete for government contracts against large multinational corporations. * S.A. 2531 - Small Business Research and Development This amendment improves our Nation’s premier small business research programs, the Small Business Innovation Research Program and the Small Business Technology Transfer Program. It requires full implementation of the President’s Executive Order 13329 on Encouraging Innovation in Manufacturing, expands insertion of SBIR and STTR inventions into major technical and weapons systems, creates an SBIR Commercialization Pilot Program at the Department of Defense, and strengthens the science focus of these Programs. ###
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Catherine Scott
Congress Rejects Bush Small Business Cuts But Overall SBA Funding Still $123 Million Less Than Last Year
WASHINGTON -- The Senate today voted to support Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), the top Democrat on the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, in his effort to boost the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) budget above President Bush’s request for FY 2006.
Included in the appropriations conference report that passed the Senate today by a vote of 94-5 were several provisions requested by Kerry and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Chair of the Committee, to increase the SBA’s budget beyond Bush’s recommendation of $453 million.
“The favorite target for President Bush’s budget axe is small business. Since taking office, he’s tried to cut the SBA’s funding in half. The result is that over the last five years, the SBA has been cut more than any other agency. The President does not understand the importance of small business to our economy, but small businesses that will boost job growth and expand our economy,” Kerry said.
Kerry and Snowe fought for months to increase the SBA’s budget. In March, the Senate passed their bipartisan amendment to restore funding for critical programs that Bush had proposed drastically cutting or eliminating all together. The conference report included their request for:
§ $12 million to Microloan Technical Assistance (terminated by President Bush’s budget); § $1.3 million to the Microloan Program for $12.7 million in loans (terminated by Bush), which allows entrepreneurs -- especially women, minorities, and rural-based -- to obtain very small loans; § $2 million to the Program for Investment in Micro-entrepreneurs (PRIME) (terminated by Bush), which provides in-depth business counseling to low-income entrepreneurs; § $1 million to the Small Business Development Centers (increases funding to $89 million), which offer management assistance and training to entrepreneurs; § $2 million line-item for the HUBZone program (Bush eliminated the line-item), which gives federal contracting preferences for businesses within the designated areas; § $500,000 to the Women’s Business Centers Program (increases funding to $12.5 million), which helped 106,000 business owners last year; § $1.5 million line-item for the Export Assistance Centers (Bush eliminated the line-item), which assist businesses interested in selling their products in other countries; § $1.5 million line-item for the 7(j) contracting assistance program (Bush eliminated the line-item), which helps to train small disadvantaged businesses; and § $1.2 million for Native American outreach (increases funding to $2 million).
###
Budget Reconciliation Vote Today!
REPUBLICAN BUDGET INCREASES DEFICIT BY $20 BILLION
GIVES MORE TAX CUTS TO THE WEALTHY
HURTS THOSE WHO NEED HELP THE MOST WITH STUDENT LOANS, HEALTH CARE, CHILDREN AND RURAL PROGRAMS
CONTAINS LARGE AND DAMAGING FOOD STAMP CUTS
TENS OF THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN WILL LOSE FREE SCHOOL MEALS
WILL SHIFT COSTS TO STATES,
ADD TO ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLEXITY AND CLIENT CONFUSION
TOGETHER, AMERICA CAN DO BETTER TO HELP ALL AMERICANS
Over 1000 Groups Oppose Budget Reconciliation Cuts
·
Veteran’s Groups Opposing Budget Reconciliation:
http://www.democraticleader
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750 Coalition of Human Needs Nationwide Groups:
http://www.democraticleader
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Faith Leaders Opposed to Budget Cuts:
http://www.democraticleader
·
Students and Colleges against Budget Reconciliation:
http://www.democraticleader
·
Native American Groups:
http://www.democraticleader
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Latino Groups:
http://www.democraticleader
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Agriculture, Food and Conservation Groups:
http://www.democraticleader
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American Nurses Association:
http://www.democraticleader
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Environmental Groups:
http://www.democraticleader
Democrats in
Action
The
Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), the Congressional Asian Pacific America
Caucus (CAPAC) and the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), joined community
members to rally against the Republican proposed budget that will hurt millions
of hard-working people across the nation. The proposed budget will substantially
cut funding for programs that assist low and middle income individuals by
providing basic services in healthcare, student aid and nutrition assistance,
and minorities will be disproportionately affected if this budget passes as many
are in the low and middle income bracket. Members of the TriCaucus are urging
Congress to stand up for all Americans and vote against the Republican budget.
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Catherine Scott
Kerry: Administration Showing Little Progress in Helping Gulf Coast Small Businesses
WASHINGTON – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today pressed Administration officials to explain what steps they were taking to address the needs of small businesses affected by the Hurricanes along the Gulf Coast.
“The Gulf Coast can't recover and rebuild if Washington ignores the urgency of the challenge. Hurricane Katrina hit two months ago, but small businesses are still clamoring for assistance. The SBA is moving at a snail’s pace. The lumbering bureaucracy has approved less than 3 percent of the loan applications they’ve received. It’s painfully obvious that more needs to be done to help the small businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama and the thousands of people they employ,” said Kerry, top Democrat on the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
Kerry’s comments came in response to testimony from witnesses at a Committee hearing on the Administration’s efforts to help small businesses devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Unlike the Committee’s hearing in September when Senators heard from several entrepreneurs located along the Gulf Coast explain the obstacles they were facing, today’s hearing featured several government officials: Representative Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security; Hector Barreto, head of the Small Business Administration (SBA); Major General Ronald Johnson, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Gregory Rothwell, Chief Procurement Officer at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security; David Cooper, Director of Acquisition and Sourcing Management at the General Accounting Office (GAO); and Walter Isaacson, Vice Chairman of the Louisiana Recovery Authority.
At the hearing, Kerry again expressed his disappointment and frustration with the SBA’s management of the disaster loan approval process and contracting oversight. Since September, Kerry has been working to enact legislative solutions to help small businesses along the Gulf Coast. Joined by Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), chair of the Committee, Kerry introduced the Small Business Hurricane Relief and Reconstruction Act of 2005, S. 1807. Senate Republicans continue to block the passage of S. 1807, which is also co-sponsored by Senators Mary Landrieu (D-La.), David Vitter (R-La.), Jim Talent (R-Mo.), Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), Evan Bayh (D-Ind.), and John Cornyn (R-Texas).
11/08/2005 MEDIA
ALERT: For
Immediate Release Contact: Jay Staunton: 202.225.3327 CAPAC
Joins CHC to Rally Against GOP Budget
Who: In addition CAPAC Chair Honda and CHC Chair Grace Napolitano (D-CA), representatives of various community organizations affected by the budget cuts will be on hand. When:
Tuesday, November 8, 2005 Where: West Front Steps, U.S. Capitol building Background: The proposed budget recently offered by the Republican Party will substantially cut funding for programs that assist low and middle income individuals. These programs provide basic services in healthcare, student aid and nutrition assistance. Minorities will be disproportionately affected if this budget passes, as many are in the low and middle income bracket. Members of the Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) and Hispanic communities face particular challenges from these proposed cuts. ------------------------------Victoria Tung Congressional Asian Pacific American Washington, D.C.ç 1713 Longworth HOB çCongressman Michael M. Honda ç (w) 202-225-2631/ (f) 202-225-2699 ç20515 http://www.house.gov/honda
NEWS From: US Rep. Mike Honda15th District (CA) - Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
For Immediate Release Contact: Jay Staunton: 202.225.3327 October 20, 2005
Honda, Senate Dems Call for Immigrant Assistance Katrina Response Shows Lack of Equal Treatment
Washington, DC - Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), today met with Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and other Senate leaders to identify challenges faced by immigrant communities in the Gulf Coast after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Honda traveled to the Gulf Coast two weeks ago to assess the situation first-hand and meet with members of the Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) community who are struggling to access disaster relief services. Among the challenges facing the APIA and other immigrant communities are language access and cultural competency.
Congressman Honda and Senator Reid, joined by Democratic U.S. Senators Edward Kennedy (MA), Dick Durbin (IL), and Barbra Boxer (CA), is teaming up with immigrant advocates to address the needs of those who were affected by Katrina. This effort includes applying for relief services without fear of deportation and receiving appropriate language and cultural assistance in accessing necessary resources.
The Congressional Democrats met with representatives of the Gulf Coast immigrant community in an hour-long session followed by a press conference. The members discussed challenges with activists, evacuees, and representatives of both the APIA and Hispanic communities who traveled to the capital for this meeting.
"The federal government must ensure appropriate assistance for specific constituencies, particularly those facing linguistic and cultural barriers," Honda said "I will be introducing legislation to provide cultural and linguistic training and assistance to our disaster relief community, and will continue working with my colleagues to improve immigrant communities' access to services."
"I am absolutely outraged about some of the things I have heard," said Senator Reid. "Reports that local police and the U.S. Marshals have raided Red Cross shelters and asked for immigration documents from anybody who looked Latino and accounts that the Bush administration has placed individuals seeking emergency aid in deportation proceedings. This is another reason we need comprehensive immigration reform, so that no one will have to suffer such questioning in the case of an emergency."
"Government social service agencies across the board must work with community-based, linguistically competent organizations to build the trans-cultural bridge to meet the long-term needs of the Vietnamese and other minority evacuees," said Tram Nguyen, Katrina Relief Manager for Boat People SOS. "The ad- hoc coalition of service providers in Houston has worked tirelessly to meet their immediate needs. We must extend this spirit of collaboration to Washington and in local and state government to address the social injustices the Vietnamese community has faced. Only by sharing our resources can we ensure these evacuees a dignified recovery and rebuilding."
"The Asian Pacific Islander and Hispanic immigrant communities have been an integral and growing part of the larger Gulf coast community for some time," Honda said. "Like individuals up and down the Gulf Coast, these communities have experienced tremendous loss in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and Rita, and require adequate help from the federal government."
# # #
The Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) is comprised of 113 members of Congress who have strong interests in promoting Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) issues and advocating the concerns of AAPIs. For more information, please call 202-225-2631 or visit our website: http://www.house.gov/honda/capachome. Kerry, Landrieu Press Republican Leadership to Help Hurricane-Ravaged Small Businesses
“Up to now, Congress and the White House have said to small business owners: ‘You’re on your own,’” Kerry said. “It’s outrageous to think that after providing $62 billion, Congress has yet to designate a penny for small business relief. We all know that small businesses are at the heart of the Gulf Coast's economy, crucial to the rebuilding effort, and important for getting people back to work, but will small businesses in the Gulf Coast have to wait five months, like they did after 9-11, before they get help?”
“Small businesses are the engine of our economic growth. This was true before Katrina, and it remains true as our small businesses move our economy forward as we rebuild from the greatest natural disaster in U.S. history,” said Sen. Landrieu. “Since Hurricane Katrina first hit our shores, 53,900 businesses have asked for Washington’s help, but so far only 58 of theses businesses have received any assistance. Washington has promised real help for the people of the Gulf Coast -- it is time to stop making promises and to start fulfilling them.”
So far, the Small Business Administration has received 135,000 applications, yet only 2,050 have been approved. Of those, only 105 have been for small businesses. In addition, the Louisiana Department of Economic Development estimates that its program to help businesses on the ground in Louisiana will run out of funding today. Along with the SBA failures, this further jeopardizes Louisiana businesses.
Kerry (D-Mass.) is the Ranking Member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. He introduced the Small Business Hurricane Relief and Reconstruction Act, S.1807, with Landrieu (D-La.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), and David Vitter (R-La.).
This isn’t the first time the Republican-controlled Senate and White House have stalled emergency assistance for small business owners in need. Kerry authored a similar assistance package to small businesses recovering in the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, which was also blocked by Republicans for five months. In addition to the gas and heating fuel assistance, the package provides:
· A one-year deferral on the interest and payments for SBA disaster and 504 loans
· Access to 30 percent of all federal contracts and 40 percent of subcontracting dollars used in the recovery and relief effort
· Increased opportunities and protections for disaster-related prime contracts and subcontracts
· Expanded Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) status, which gives small businesses in the area a preference when bidding on federal contracts
· Increased counseling and business assistance provided through the SBA’s entrepreneurial development centers, including Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Microloan Technical Assistance, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers
· Greater opportunities for small construction companies to receive SBA bonding assistance, which is a type of financial loss insurance on the contract
· The ability to refinance existing disaster loans and existing business debt with low-interest disaster loans
Also cosponsoring the bill are: Sens. Jim Talent (R-Mo.), Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), and Evan Bayh (D-Ind.).
Agencies miss small-business goals
http://www.fcw.com/article91175
Disaster Loans Backlog Probed Hispanic Business http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/news/newsbyid.asp?id=26161&cat=Politics+News&more=/politics/
SBA loan
denials probe sought http://www.2theadvocate.com/stories/101905/bus_biz001.shtml
News from theCommittee on Small BusinessNydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Democratic Member
Federal Agencies Fail to Reach Small Business Contracting Goals – Gulf Region Firms Feel Impact Democrats’ report highlights decline in small business contracting opportunities
WASHINGTON – With small businesses nationwide – and particularly in the Gulf Coast region – continuing to get less opportunity in the federal marketplace, Democrats on the House Small Business Committee released their sixth annual Scorecard Report. The report, which measures 22 federal agencies on their ability to meet small business contracting goals, found that while the federal marketplace grew by 3 percent to nearly $295 billion, contracts to small businesses declined by 31 percent.
“It makes absolutely no sense that small business opportunity is declining while this nation’s federal marketplace is simply flourishing,” Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Democrat, said. “What is a nationwide crisis for entrepreneurs is currently plaguing small businesses in the Gulf Coast region as they struggle to break into the rebuilding contracts taking place right in their own communities.”
The failure of the federal government to reach their small business contracting goal cost small firms $1.6 billion in contracting opportunities for FY 2004, a record loss for entrepreneurs. While 10 agencies received failing grades, it was also determined five agencies have received a D or F grade for all six of the past reports, raising concern that little, if any, improvement has been made in the federal government’s effort to include small businesses. Given the fact that the federal government has failed to reach their goal for the past five years, it is clear current policies are not conducive to opening up the marketplace to small firms.
Also addressed was the impact the failure to reach these goals is currently having on small firms in the Gulf region. Four of the six agencies, which will be the most heavily involved in the rebuilding effort, have received some of the lowest scores in past Scorecard evaluations. Business owners from the Gulf Coast region spoke of the multiple databases they were told to register in, the timely registration process, and the fact that they did not hear a word back from any of the large contractors or agencies nearly two months later, while large out of state contractors were getting the work.
Cathy Denison-Wicke, Ph.D, of Lake Charles, LA owns CDW & Assoc. that provides logistic coordination and workforce training, all services in great need throughout the Gulf region today. She expressed dissatisfaction in the lack of response from federal agencies, “the most frustrating part for me was that I was applying to do work I could have been doing all along. However, it has been nearly 8 weeks since the first hurricane hit – and I have not heard one word back from a federal agency regarding work on these contracts.”
To address these immediate needs, Congresswoman Velázquez and Democrats on the committee introduced the Requiring and Ensuring (Small) Businesses in Leading Development (REBUILD) Act, which would give small businesses in the Gulf Region the ability to participate in the rebuilding efforts. It will ensure that once businesses register, agencies are required to respond within a certain time period. It will also provide technical assistance to match these local businesses with contracts. The initiative requires federal agencies to do 30 percent of their contracting with local small businesses, and creates small business set asides. The legislation also assesses monetary penalties for those large contractors who don’t live up to their commitment to local small businesses.
Attached is a copy of the Scorecard VI report.
John Kerry Urges Administration to
“Talk about poor planning. Closing a disaster loan center days before a major hurricane hits the region is absurd,” said Kerry, top Democrat on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. “It doesn't make any sense for the SBA to close a Miami office until it was sure people and small businesses in the area wouldn't need the extra help. Sadly, this is another example of the administration being completely out-of-touch with the small business owners they are supposed to be helping.”
On October 19, 2005, the SBA closed one of the two temporary loan assistance centers in Miami. At the same time, Hurricane Wilma was measured as the most powerful storm ever recorded in the Atlantic and the weather forecasts were indicating Florida was a likely target.
In his letter to the SBA, Kerry repeated his frustration with the SBA’s disaster loan process in the wake of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. As of last Friday, the SBA had received over 160,000 disaster loan applications and had approved just 2,865. Of those approved loans, only 203 were for small businesses.
“Given the history of hurricanes in the state, the forecasts, and the chronic problems of the SBA in meeting the disaster loan needs of Katrina and Rita victims, it is unclear why the SBA would give up this location and its staff until it was sure the area would not need the backup support for those small businesses and homes damaged in the area and any evacuees who end up stranded there,” Kerry wrote.
After a disaster, the SBA offers loans to repair damaged homes and businesses. Individuals can go to the SBA’s temporary loan assistance centers to meet in person with an SBA loan officer in the affected regions.
###
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Catherine Scott
Kerry Questions Bush Commitment to Gulf Coast Small Businesses Katrina Small Business Relief Package Stripped from Legislation
WASHINGTON – Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) today criticized the Bush Administration for failing to support the inclusion of a critical assistance package for small businesses hurt by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in the final version of the appropriations bill that funds the Small Business Administration (SBA). The Senate previously voted 96-0 to include the package, co-authored by Kerry.
“President Bush didn’t lift a finger to help the estimated 200,000 small businesses get this help they need in the wake of Hurricane Katrina,” said Kerry, top Democrat on the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. “The entrepreneurs in the Gulf Coast need contracts, they need business support, and most urgently they need loans. Yet, sixty-seven days after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast, the SBA has approved just 593 of the 27,293 loan applications they received -- less than 2.5 percent. Unless this aid package is passed into law, it will take years for the SBA to provide this assistance. Small businesses, and the thousands they employ, cannot afford to wait any longer.”
Kerry thanked Senators Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.) and Representative Alan Mollohan (D-W.V.) for their efforts to keep the package in the final report, and vowed to continue his efforts with Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), chair of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and co-author of the amendment, to get this legislation signed into law. One of the most comprehensive pieces of Kerry's relief package would give small businesses across the country access to low-interest disaster loans to cope with the increased costs of heating oil, natural gas and gasoline. This would especially benefit farmers, truck drivers and others whose livelihood relies heavily on the price of gas. In addition, the relief package would have provided small businesses in the Gulf Coast: § Bridge loans through the states to help businesses that are waiting for SBA loan approval begin rebuilding immediately; § A one-year deferral on the payments for SBA disaster loans with no interest accrual; § Access to 30 percent of all federal contracts and 40 percent of subcontracting dollars used in the recovery and relief effort; § Expanded Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) status, which gives small businesses in the area a preference when bidding on federal contracts; § Increased counseling and business assistance provided through the SBA’s entrepreneurial development centers, including Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Microloan Technical Assistance, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers; § Greater opportunities for small construction companies to receive SBA bonding assistance, which is a type of financial loss insurance on the contract; and § The ability to refinance existing disaster loans and existing business debt with low-interest disaster loans. The Senate voted 96-0 to include the package as part of the Senate’s version of the CJS Appropriations bill that passed the Senate in September. Also sponsoring the amendment were Senators Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Mary Landrieu (D-La.), David Vitter (R-La.), Jeff Bingaman (D-N.M.), Jon Corzine (D-N.J.), Barack Obama (D-Ill.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), and Jim Talent (R-Mo.).
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