Congresswoman proposes small business agenda for economic recovery

Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-N.Y.), ranking Democrat of the House Small Business Committee, last night called on President Bush to follow through on his pledge to help the economy by taking up the agenda of small business – the country’s most powerful engine for recovery.


“I am glad to see the President has returned to pressing domestic concerns. I commend him for his goals of economic recovery and creating new jobs. It is important that we do everything we can to pull out of recession and help Americans rebuild after September 11.


“But in all that he proposed in a speech that lasted an hour, the President failed to address the most important factor in our economic recovery – this nation’s small businesses. Their economic power cannot be underestimated. American entrepreneurs and small firms make up half of our economy, and create three-fourths of new jobs. They hauled us out of our recession in the early 1990s into the greatest boom time in our history. They did it before, and they can do it again.


“But to help us, we must help them. Small businesses need the tools to recover, grow and thrive, and help the rest of the country. We helped the airlines and insurance industry, and now it’s time to help small businesses.”