House Vote to Repeal Healthcare Law a Poor Use of Time, Stalling Small Business Growth

The House of Representatives' vote today to dismantle the Affordable Care Act does nothing to help small businesses struggling with high healthcare costs. It is also an example of lawmakers' inability to put policy before politics and concentrate efforts on finding solutions to the numerous issues plaguing small business and the economy.

Under today's poor economic conditions, entrepreneurs are struggling to keep their doors open. But they continue outpacing their big business counterparts when it comes to job creation. If we expect this to continue, small business-friendly policies must be put in place to help enhance their capacity to hire. We recommend:

• Continuing to implement the Affordable Care Act with small business owners' needs in mind so that we can finally get them much-needed relief from skyrocketing coverage premiums.
• Passing the Small Business Jobs and Tax Relief Act approved by the Senate yesterday, which would promote small business job creation by providing an income tax credit for increased payroll in 2012 while also extending the 100 percent expense deduction for new equipment.
• Focusing on robust clean energy legislation, as 7 in 10 small business owners believe government investments in clean energy play an important role in boosting the economy and creating jobs now.
• Working to ensure small business owners have greater access to capital so they can grow their businesses and hire. Our opinion polling found 9 in 10 small business owners view credit availability as a problem for entrepreneurs.

Our entrepreneurs don't need or want legislators' valuable time spent trying to annihilate a healthcare reform law that's already working. Legislators should focus on policies that can create jobs and grow the economy. Small business owners are asking for it.