WASHINGTON (25 September) – The National Federation of Independent Business, the nation’s leading small business association, today named U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis (FL-9) a Guardian of Small Business for his outstanding voting record on behalf of America’s small business owners in the 110th Congress.

NFIB President and CEO Todd Stottlemyer praised Rep. Bilirakis for “standing for small business.” In presenting the group’s coveted Guardian of Small Business award, Stottlemyer said, “Small business owners pay close attention to how their lawmakers vote on the issues affecting their businesses and employees and stand by those who stand for them.”

“The record shows that Rep. Bilirakis is a true champion of small business, having stood strong on the key small-business votes in the 110th Congress,” said Stottlemyer. “This award reflects our members’ appreciation for supporting the NFIB pro-growth agenda for small business.”

NFIB’s voting record tallies 10 key small business votes in the U.S. House of Representatives taken during the 2007 and 2008 sessions. Issues included tax relief, card-check legislation, protection from lawsuits and regulatory reform.

The NFIB presents the Guardian awards to representatives who voted favorably on key small business issues at least 70 percent of the time during the 110th Congress.