Small Business Groups Grade Congress Members on Issues A coalition of small business organizations released a voting scorecard evaluating members of the House of Representatives on their support for small firms. The coalition, led by the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce, listed nine “lost opportunities:” legislative initiatives that they said would have helped small businesses but were not enacted by Congress: *”Failed to restore funding to support family farms, micro-entrepreneurs and businesses in low-income areas.” An amendment to fund SBA’s LowDoc and Community Express programs passed the House, but Congress adjourned without giving final approval to the appropriations bill for SBA. *Failed to assure that small business owners in the Gulf Coast hurricane region received quick and efficient support. The House defeated an amendment to extend the deadline for federal disaster loan applications. *”Failed to protect small business owners during future disasters.” The House refused to block an increase in interest rates on SBA disaster loans. *”Failed to invigorate the growth of minority hi-tech companies.” The House rejected a pilot program that would have allowed NASA to work with minority-serving institutions to develop more minority high-tech businesses. *”Failed to ensure small business participation in the federal marketplace.” A House-Senate conference committee rejected a House-passed provision that would have opened up more federal contracts for small travel agencies. *”Failed to remove obstacles to small business competitiveness in federal contracting.” The House refused to repeal the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program, which restricts the use of set-aside contracts in some industries. *”Failed to lower the cost of SBA lending programs.” The House passed an amendment that would reduce fees on SBA’s flagship 7(a) loan program, but Congress adjourned without completing action on the bill. *Passed a “watered-down” version of the Small Business Bill of Rights. The House defeated provisions that would put Congress on record supporting a comprehensive agenda for small businesses to break down barriers to federal contracting and provide these firms with access to capital. *”Failed to support entrepreneurship as a viable alternative for laid-off employees.” The House rejected an amendment that would have allowed unemployed workers to use their Personal Reemployment Account funds to help get an SBA loan to start a business. The scorecard grades each House member on his or her votes on each of those issues. In general, more Democrats than Republicans favored the legislation backed by the small business groups. Other groups endorsing the scorecard were the American Small Business League, Latin American Management Association, National Procurement Council, Small Business Majority and Business Professional Women/USA. The scorecard is available at www.uswcc.org.