Kerry Leads Bipartisan Call to Aid Small Biz Devastated by Drought

[kerrygoddess]

John Kerry Leads Bipartisan Call to Aid All Small Businesses Devastated by Drought
April 4th, 2006 @ 11:55 am

A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators led by John Kerry (D-Mass.), Ranking Democrat on the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, is urging the federal government to implement legislation that provides low-interest loans to agricultural-dependent as well as small firms not dependent on agriculture whose businesses have been impacted by drought. Currently, more than half the states in the country have drought declarations by the Secretary of Agriculture.

The Small Business Administration (SBA) had repeatedly claimed that only agriculture-dependent firms were eligible for assistance. However, in January, legislation sponsored by Kerry and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) was signed into law clarifying the SBA’s authority to issue disaster loans to all small businesses that face economic injury from drought conditions. This legislation has received broad support from governors and small businesses.

“We have made it crystal clear that it’s the Administration’s responsibility to get all small businesses hurt by drought the help they need, but small businesses are still waiting for action,” said Kerry. “No more excuses. No more red tape. Every small business owner whose economic livelihood is hurt by a drought must have the opportunity to keep their doors open, whether it’s fishing guides, bait and tackle shops, or anything else. The SBA needs to stop their foot-dragging and start helping small businesses.”

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