Carson Votes to Support Small Businesses
May 20, 2009
May 20, 2009
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman André Carson released the following statement after joining a bi-partisan majority of his House colleagues in supporting H.R. 2352, the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act, which will expand federal small business development services, especially those targeted for women, veterans and seniors:
"This week, we recognize National Small Business Week, which honors the invaluable role our nation's small businesses play in employing over half of all Americans and accounting for more than 50 percent of our national GDP. Unfortunately, these businesses are often the first to encounter financial difficulties in an economic downturn—a reality that has deterred many prospective entrepreneurs from starting new businesses.
"In this ongoing recession, I believe it is critical for us to support and encourage entrepreneurship to the greatest extent possible. This afternoon, I was proud to join a strong bipartisan effort to pass the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act. This important legislation will extend new tools to entrepreneurs as they work through the difficult first steps of starting and sustaining a successful business venture.
"Though small and rarely in the national spotlight, it is important for us to remember the vital role that small businesses play in Indianapolis and across our country. As this 111th Congress continues working towards long-term fiscal stability, I look forward to supporting future legislation that will provide small businesses with the resources and assistance they need to succeed and fuel our nation's economic recovery."
Information on the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act
- Reauthorizes and modernizes the Small Business Administration's (SBA) entrepreneurial development programs so that small businesses can not only survive the current downturn, but also expand and put people to work.
- Benefits current small business owners, as well as further opens the door for Veterans, Native Americans, and women to take part in small business ownership. It creates within the SBA a new Veterans Business Center Program and an Office of Native American Affairs, and authorizes funds to improve and expand the Women's Business Center Program.
- Makes sure that taxpayers' dollars are spent wisely and efficiently with an overhaul and modernization of the SBA's entrepreneurial development programs, which helped create 73,000 jobs in 2008 alone.
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