Issues-Small Business

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Being a member on the House Small Business Committee I have the unique opportunity to learn of the many challenges business owners face daily. I have co-sponsored the following legislation to help businesses:

• H.R. 1012 – The Small Business Growth Act of 2007 would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to provide for establishment and governance of association health plans (AHPs), which are group health plans that meet certain ERISA certification requirements and whose sponsors are trade, industry, professional, chamber of commerce, or similar business associations.
  
• H.R. 1873 – The Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act would clarify the definition of contract bundling to ensure that additional contracts are reviewed for their impact on small companies. The definition will be modified to include construction and other new work that includes small businesses.
  
• H.R. 2366 – The Small Business Administration Veterans’ Programs Act of 2007 would help veterans, through grants, information services, and personal assistance, to evaluate business opportunities and become entrepreneurs in their own right. It would put emphasis on providing them with the market research, financial options and technology training important to becoming successful. In addition to increasing the number of Veteran Outreach Centers across the country, it would ensure that women veterans would be made aware of opportunities in their local communities, a sub section of veteran assistance heretofore neglected.