WASHINGTON – The United States Senate today voted to end debate on the Small Business Job Creation package after months of partisan wrangling that stalled support to America’s more than 27 million small businesses.  Senators George Voinovich, R-Ohio, and George LeMieux, R-Fla.,  joined Senate Democrats in the 61-37 vote to end the debate. United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship made the following comment on the vote to end debate:

“Today, we are one step closer to strengthening the small businesses in America, restoring the economy, and opening the door to job creation for millions of American’s still out of work.  Two Republicans Senators decided to put party politics aside because this bill is the right thing to do.  I commend Senators Voinovich and LeMieux for staying the course despite opposition from their party.  Together, we took a stand for small businesses in America this morning, and we are on course to finish this legislation soon and get support into the hands of small businesses immediately.”

Over the past two years, small firms have accounted for between 80 percent of net job losses.  The Small Business Job Creation Package would create 500,000 new jobs at a time when America’s 27 million small businesses are starving for adequate access to capital and desperately seeking to hire workers and expand their businesses.   This fully paid-for bill would increase access to capital, encourage investment, promote entrepreneurship, and promote small business fairness. 

Today, Senator Landrieu joined Democratic Senators Barbara Boxer, Maria Cantwell and Jeff Merkley in a press conference to discuss the widespread support for this package.  To view the video from the press conference, please click here.

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