“I, along with several of my colleagues, have written to House Speaker Dennis Hastert asking him to make sure that Congress does not overlook the needs of small businesses in this time of economic uncertainty.   I am currently a co-sponsor of two measures, the Small Business Emergency Relief Act and the Terrorist Disaster Relief for Small Businesses Act, which are designed to reach out to companies hurt economically by the attacks and give them immediate assistance through the Small Business Administration's Economic Disaster Loan Program.  I am optimistic that Congress will soon consider a legislative package that includes the needs of small businesses.

“The recent economic downturn, combined with the effects of the terrorist attacks, have caused many small businesses to suffer serious financial losses, particularly in travel- and tourist-related industries, and have caused job losses for small businesses to skyrocket.  The proposals I’ve supported would provide a necessary bridge between bankruptcy and survival for many small businesses struggling to manage this uncertain economic climate and help to stem the loss of jobs these companies provide to our local communities.”