Deadlock Over Small Business Bill a Huge Disappointment to Small Business
Statement by John Arensmeyer, CEO, Small Business Majority:
Today some members of the Senate put politics over good public policy and blocked the long-term reauthorization of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. This cynical move is the latest in a series of political games that deny small businesses the tools they need to encourage innovation, economic growth and job creation. We call on these obstructionists who claim to support small businesses to match their words with deeds and end the blockage of this vital legislation.
The SBIR program makes critical investments in America's small businesses, and taxpayers get a great return on those investments through job growth and economic expansion. Studies show the program has been responsible for 25 percent of all innovations in the last decade, and it has ushered in more than 50,000 patents, an average of seven a day, since its creation. Small businesses are often the catalysts of innovation and create 70 percent of the new jobs in this country, and the SBIR program is an invaluable asset to the small business community and our nation's economic needs.
Reauthorizing the SBIR is one of the best things lawmakers can do to create stability and confidence in the program. Today's legislative gimmick will do nothing to create jobs in our communities or help America's small businesses remain world leaders in developing the new innovations and technologies of tomorrow. It's time to end the political theater and reauthorize this program without delay.
Small Business Majority is a national nonprofit organization focused on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses. We conduct extensive opinion and economic research and work with small business owners, policy experts and elected officials nationwide to bring nonpartisan small business voices to the public policy table.