Strengthening Small Business: Creating Jobs

Press Release

This week, I introduced H.R. 2921, "the Expanding Opportunities for Small Business Act of 2011," in the House of Representatives. This bill would provide more opportunities for women, minority and veteran owned small businesses. It extends the length of time businesses would have to be eligible for the Section 8(a) Business Development Program. This legislation also contains a provision that increases the target of socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses who access federal contracts by 3 percent.

As our national unemployment rate sits 9.1 percent and a 16.7 percent unemployment rate for African Americans and 11.3 percent for Hispanics, it is important that the government fights to get people back to work. I believe this bill will help small businesses, especially those in minority communities, expand and hire more employees. Know that I, along with my Democratic colleagues, will continue to work tirelessly to combat the stagnant unemployment rate.

Source