Paulsen Amendment to Help Veteran-Owned Businesses Passed by House
Amendment will examine effectives of federal programs for veterans who own businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 20, 2009

 
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives today passed an amendment authored by Congressman Erik Paulsen (MN-03) aimed at strengthening veteran-owned businesses.  The amendment, which was approved by voice vote and added to the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act (H.R. 2352) passed today, requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study the effect of the Act in growing and assisting veteran-owned business. Paulsen’s amendment also requires the GAO offer suggestions to Congress as to how we can better assist veteran-owned business.  

“Our military veterans who own businesses face unique challenges, and the government must ensure the policies in place to assist them are achieving their goals,” Paulsen said.  “During a recent event in Minnesota, I was told that programs currently available to veteran-owned businesses are not effectively meeting their needs.  My amendment aims to address that concern by studying the effectiveness of this new legislation in growing and assisting veteran-owned businesses.” 

The overall bill passed the House on a strong bipartisan vote of 406-15.  Along with Paulsen’s amendment, the legislation includes a variety of measures aimed at helping small businesses, including specific provisions for veterans, women, and a new grant program for Small Business Development Centers to develop programs which help local small firms in securing capital and repairing damaged credit.

Paulsen added, “I also supported the underlying legislation and believe it will go a long way in assisting and growing small businesses at a time when our nation’s economy needs a boost.  I am extremely pleased we are moving in a direction of helping small business do what they do best: create jobs.”                                        

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