Issue Position: Business and Commerce

Issue Position

Small Business Issues

On May 10, 2007 the House of Representatives passed Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act (H.R. 1873). This legislation amends the Small Business Act to increase participation by small businesses in federal procurement and service contracts and includes overseas contracts in their participation goal. It also directs the SBA to maintain a database to assist small businesses in marketing to large corporations that have not achieved their small business goals and to contact registered small businesses regarding the likelihood of federal contracting opportunities. Representative Blackburn supported this piece of legislation.

On April 25, 2007 the House of Representatives passed The Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007 (H.R. 1332) by a vote of 380-45. Representative Blackburn voted for this piece of legislation. H.R. 1332 expands the two largest business finance programs conducted by the Small Business Administration (SBA), the 7(a) and 504 loan programs. The 7(a) program provides loan guarantees to approved banks and other lenders, and the CDC/504 loan program provides long-term, fixed-rate financing for major fixed assets for the purpose of encouraging economic development with a community. National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) supported this piece of legislation.

The Small Business Survival Committee named Blackburn a "small business advocate" in 2003 and received the 2004 "spirit of enterprise" award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Blackburn also serves as Co-Chairman of the Congressional Songwriters Caucus she founded in 2003 to give Tennessee's community of songwriters a voice on Capitol Hill.

Source