Lentz Calls on Senate Republicans to Support Job Growth by Ending Filibuster of Bill that Aids Small Businesses

Press Release

Representative Bryan Lentz, the Democratic nominee for Congress in Pennsylvania's 7th Congressional District, called on Republicans in the U.S. Senate to end their filibuster of legislation that would help small businesses generate more jobs by providing them with easier access to loans and tax breaks.

Yesterday Senate Republicans unanimously blocked a vote on the Small Business Lending Fund Act of 2010. The bill, which originated in the House of Representatives, would create a $30-billion loan fund for small community banks to tap into that would come with strong incentives to use the money for lending to small businesses. The legislation would also provide small businesses with tax breaks totaling about $12 billion.

"Small businesses are the largest generators of job growth in our economy," Lentz said. "And it's been well documented that since the recession started small businesses have had difficulties getting access to loans from local banks. Any legislation that makes it easier for these entrepreneurs to run their business is something that all of our nation's elected officials should be able to agree upon, regardless of their political affiliation."

Lentz has made saving and creating jobs the cornerstone of his campaign for Congress. He is the only candidate in the District with a published plan to get our economy moving again and the only candidate who supports Wall Street reform and the creation of a consumer financial protection agency to ensure another collapse does not happen. Lentz has also pledged to end tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas while his opponent Pat Meehan has signed a pledge to continue rewarding companies that outsource American jobs.

Earlier this week, Lentz launched a 10-week, 25-stop regional economic listening tour, which will run through August and September and include tours of local businesses in some of the region's important industries, like health care, education and manufacturing, as well as town hall forums, and meetings with workers at company shift changes.

Lentz has already introduced a five-point proposal for generating job growth, including giving companies incentives to invest and expand, and providing educational opportunities to train employees in fields where demand was growing, like math and engineering. He said he launched the tour of businesses in Delaware, Chester and Montgomery counties to gain additional input from local businesses and working families.

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