News From Congresswoman
Nydia M. Velázquez
Representing New York's 12th Congressional District - Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens
Ranking Democratic Member, House Small Business Committee

For Immediate Release
December 8, 2003

CONTACT: Wendy Belzer, Kate Davis, 202-225-4038

House Small Business Committee Democrats Release End of Session Report on 108th Congress
Report examines legislative record of 108th Congress on small business issues

WASHINGTON - Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, joined her Democratic colleagues today to release their annual end of year report on the legislative record of the 108th Congress relating to small business issues.

"As the first session of the 108th Congress comes to a close, there is a lot of discussion about what did and didn't get done," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "But there is no dispute about how nothing got done for small business. It is exactly in these times - when our economy is fragile, when unemployment is high and wages are flat - that small businesses can save the day. Small businesses are the job creators, the innovators, and the leaders of economic growth. It is unfortunate the Republicans don't see it that way. They might say they do, but their actions prove they don't."

The new unemployment statistics for November show that the economy added 57,000 new jobs, but this still lags behind the forecasted 150,000 the economy needed for a strong showing this month. Even though small businesses are key to sustained economic growth coupled with strong job creation, the Bush administration and Congress made a number of choices in 2003 to support corporate America over Main Street. From the tax cut passed earlier this year, to the recently passed Medicare bill, the needs of small businesses were left unaddressed.

"There are an array of small business initiatives that went nowhere," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "These include legislation to help small businesses provide health care, pensions and training for their employees, or give them greater access to the federal marketplace. But these proposals were hardly even noticed. Just like this nation's small businesses."

Among the dozens of pieces of small business legislation that saw no action, a critical item was H.R. 2802, the reauthorization of the Small Business Administration (SBA). The bipartisan bill was passed out of the House Small Business Committee unanimously, but was stalled by the Bush administration and the Republican leadership, and now won't see action until 2004.

"We hope this report sends a very strong message to the Republicans - if you want the economy to rebound - if you want economic opportunities in our communities - if you want our country to prosper - you have to stop talking about small business and start doing something to help them. Small businesses have led us out of tough economic times in the past - they just need the right tools. And Republicans need to give them those tools in 2004. They let them down this year. I urge them not to let them down again."

For an electronic copy of the report, please contact Kate Davis at kate.davis@mail.house.gov or
(202) 225-4038.

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