Economic Opportunity
Members of the fiscally conservative, Democratic Blue Dog Coalition sent a letter to President Obama on June 13, 2013 to express their strong support for the construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline . The letter highlighted the positive economic and national security effects of constructing the pipeline, most notably increased job creation and decreased American dependence on foreign sources of oil.
“Construction of the Keystone XL pipeline will provide a positive impact to a broad spectrum of the American economy,” the Blue Dogs wrote. “An estimated 13,000 direct jobs will be created, with an additional 7,000 direct jobs needed to keep it operational. If the recent jobs report shows us anything, it’s that Americans are still in need of the highly-skilled, good-paying jobs that are created by a project of this magnitude.
“The security risks we will avoid by construction of this pipeline are notable… Construction of this pipeline gives us the opportunity to displace a significant portion of the oil we import from these less-than-friendly nations, whose instability causes severe fluctuations in our gas prices here at home.
“The Blue Dog Coalition agrees with the broad alliance of business, labor, and community leaders that the time for this pipeline has come. The economic impact and national security benefits indicate that this project is clearly in the national interest. We urge the Administration to move swiftly to approve the construction of this pipeline for the benefit of the entire country.”
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The SBAExpress program gives small business borrowers an accelerated turnaround time for SBA's review. Small businesses receive a response to their application within 36 hours. In addition, lower interest rates are often available to borrowers when they apply through an Express program.Unlike traditional 7(a) loans, SBA Express loans carry a 50 percent guarantee and can be used as revolving lines of credit – to help restock inventories and support larger revenue sales – which are particularly critical for small businesses as they emerge out of the recession.Maximum loan amount is $350,000. The Small Business Jobs Act temporarily increased the maximum to $1 million so more small businesses could take advantage of the streamlined approval process for working lines of credit and other capital they need. That increase ends on 9/26/2011PROPOSAL: Extend the $1 million max until Dec 31, 2012.
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Market research shows that a large percentage of commercial mortgages outstanding are set to mature within the next few years, particularly those held by community banks. As real estate values have declined, however, even small businesses that are performing well and making their payments on time can have a hard time refinancing these loans and may need to restructure their debt.Under the Small Business Jobs Act, the SBA authorized a temporary program—until Sept. 27, 2012—allowing small businesses to refinance eligible fixed assets in its 504 program without requirement of an expansion, as is the case with typical 504 loans. This program provides small businesses the opportunity to lock in long-term, stable financing, as well as protect jobs.PROPOSAL: Extend program for 1 year.
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It is the policy of the United States, as stated in the Small Business Act, that all small businesses have the maximum practicable opportunity to participate in providing goods and services to the government.To ensure that small businesses get their fair share, the SBA negotiates annual procurement preference goals with each federal agency and reviews each agency's results. The SBA is responsible for ensuring that the statutory government wide goals are met:< >23 percent of prime contracts for small businesses; (actual was 20.3% in 2010)5 percent of prime and subcontracts for small disadvantaged businesses; (actual was 7% in 2010)5 percent of prime and subcontracts for women-owned small businesses; (actual was 4.4% in 2010)3 percent of prime and subcontracts for HUBZone businesses; (actual was 2.4% in 2010)3 percent of prime and subcontracts for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses (actual was 2.2% in 2010)There are no punitive consequences for not meeting the procurement goals. However, the SBA’s Small Business Goaling Report is distributed widely & receives media attention.PROPOSAL: Amend Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 644) to increase the small business procurement goals by 1% each.
Blue Dogs Back Bipartisan Measures to Protect Jobs Amid the Economic Crisis
WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition announced its endorsement of a set of bipartisan legislation that aims to keep American workers on payroll and to protect their jobs. Specifically, the Blue Dogs backed H.R. 7481, Reviving the Economy Sustainably Towards a Recovery in Twenty-twenty (RESTART) Act, and H.R. 6776, Jumpstarting Our Businesses’ Success Credit (JOBS Credit) Act of 2020.
Blue Dog Leadership on COVID-19 Negotiations: Failure is Not an Option
WASHINGTON—Today, Rep. Anthony Brindisi (NY-22), the Blue Dog Coalition’s Co-Chair for Whip and Co-Chair of the Blue Dog Task Force on Economic Growth, issued the following statement on the current state of pandemic response negotiations:
Blue Dog Leadership Issues Statement on House Passage of Additional Coronavirus Emergency Funding
WASHINGTON—Today, the Blue Dog Coalition’s Co-Chair for Administration, Rep. Stephanie Murphy (FL-07), issued the following statement on House passage of the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act:
Blue Dogs Call on Trump Administration to Prioritize Community-Based Financial Institutions
Blue Dogs Laud House Democrats’ Infrastructure Framework as Strong First Step in Negotiation Process
WASHINGTON—Today, the co-chairs of the Blue Dog Task Force on Infrastructure and Job Creation—Reps. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)—issued the following statement on the House Democratic Caucus’ $760 billion infrastructure framework.
The Hill: Blue Dogs look to move forward on infrastructure project
Top members of the centrist Democrat Blue Dog Coalition are holding out hope for bipartisan accomplishments on pressing infrastructure projects.
Rep. Tom O'Halleran (D-Ariz.) the group’s co-chairman for policy, and Reps. Joe Cunningham (D-S.C.) and Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.), the co-chairs on its task force on infrastructure and job creation, in a letter on Monday requested input from think tanks, labor, environmental groups, small business groups and the business community on regulatory reform and policy solutions.
Blue Dog Leadership Responds to White House Meeting on Infrastructure
WASHINGTON—Today, Blue Dog Co-Chair for Communications, Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46), issued the following statement on the White House meeting between Democratic Leadership and President Trump on infrastructure:
Blue Dogs Call for Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to Expand High-Speed Broadband Internet Access
WASHINGTON—Today, the co-chairs of the Blue Dog Task Force on Infrastructure and Job Creation—Reps. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)—and the co-chairs of the Blue Dog Task Force on Rural Opportunity—Reps.
Blue Dog Task Force on Infrastructure & Job Creation Responds to White House Meeting on Infrastructure
WASHINGTON—Today, the co-chairs of the Blue Dog Task Force on Infrastructure and Job Creation—Reps. Joe Cunningham (SC-01) and Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)—issued the following statement in reaction to President Trump’s meeting on infrastructure with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and other members of House and Senate Democratic leadership.