One of the many burdens that face a small business is a complicated tax code. Most small businesses file their taxes as S Corporations or Sole Proprietorships, both of which are taxed on individual rates. When the 108th Congress lowered the individual tax brackets by 3% under the Jobs and Growth Tax Relief Reconciliation Act of 2003, millions of small businesses saw their tax bills reduced. With access to more capital, small business owners have the means to increase the size of their enterprises, creating more jobs in their communities.

In addition to allowing American entrepreneurs access to more of their income, we also dealt with a major problem faced by small business owners and workers, the cost of health care insurance. Of the approximately 40 million Americans without health insurance, a staggering 60% are employed by small businesses.

To address the serious problem of hard working Americans unable to have access to affordable health care, the House of Representatives passed the Small Business Health Fairness Act of 2005, which seeks to establish Association Health Plans (AHP). AHPs allow small businesses to band together within established trade organizations and associations to obtain increased bargaining power when purchasing health insurance. The House passed bill would have established federal guidelines and ensured that AHPs offer the same or increased coverage to more employees. AHPs are required to follow health accessibility laws so no one with an illness will be left out of the bargaining. The bill is now before the Senate for consideration. I will continue to do all I can so that this important legislation is passed by the 109th Congress and signed into law.

Small business owners and workers are the heart of the American economy. We should never forget the vital role that small business plays in both our economy and our society at large. I will continue to fight in Congress for the interests of small business owners and workers.

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