The Hill News

As our nation continues to climb out of this long recession â€" there are still pockets of the United States that feel like we haven’t made enough progress.  In speaking to small business owners in my state, I know they are still weathering the storm, looking to invest in a down economy and are eager to begin hiring again.  That is why I am both glad that we are once again debating a small business bill and that I have the chance to reintroduce the bipartisan Small Business Lending Enhancement Act as an amendment. 

In some ways though, I feel like this is Groundhog Day â€" all over again.  Back in October of last year a report by the New York Federal Reserve said that three-quarters of small businesses looking for credit last summer were turned down or received only some of the financing that they requested.  They stated “Reports from small-business owners of a credit gap have been both vocal and frequent.”  So we here in Congress decided to act on and t! ry to extend additional credit to small businesses â€" because more credit means additional growth and increased job creation. 

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