Over the last 15 years, small businesses have created more than 60% of new jobs, and helping small businesses thrive in our community will create jobs here.

I have written amendments and bills to increase opportunities for small businesses.  One amendment, which passed the House, would take a closer look to see if the Department of Defense is providing enough work to small businesses.

I have also introduced legislation to ensure that qualified, small, minority-owned businesses have a fair shot at new high-speed rail work in Wisconsin and throughout the country. 

Statistics show that small businesses owned by women, African-Americans, and other minorities face difficulties in accessing Federal contracts.  These efforts in the U.S. House would help give qualified small businesses a fair shot to compete for work.

And the financial crisis brought on by bad choices on Wall Street has hurt community banks and small businesses in Milwaukee.  To help address this, I have worked with my colleagues on legislation to help community banks restore the flow of needed credit to small businesses.  Small businesses ready to expand, ready to grow and ready to hire have been held  back because banks have been hesitant to lend. 

These efforts are among many moving in Congress to help small businesses succeed and help our overall economic recovery.