Sen. Stabenow Holds Roundtable in D.C with Small Employers from Around the Country

Washington, DC̢??‰۝Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) met with small business owners from across the country on Thursday to discuss key small business matters, including the debt ceiling and sequestration, and how these issues affect small businesses̢??‰? bottom lines.

According to polling released by Small Business Majority, the majority of small businesses believe it is more important for Congress to focus on a plan to create jobs over reducing the deficit. Additional polling also revealed small employers want a long-term solution to the debt ceiling so the U.S. can pay its bills and the issue doesn̢??‰?t continue coming up for political votes.

̢???The most important job for Congress and this Administration from my perspective is to encourage job creation, not focus on reducing the deficit, taking one vote after another trying to defund the Affordable Care Act or prolonging this debt ceiling debate,̢???? said Mike Brey, owner of Hobby Works in Fairfax, Va. ̢???Threatening to shut down the government and not pay our debts scares my customers, which is about as bad for job creation as you can get. I can̢??‰?t hire more people if I don̢??‰?t have customers. If Congress really wants to help small businesses, they should start working together toward the good of our economy instead of playing politics. It puts my business in jeopardy.̢????

Brey is part of Small Business Majority̢??‰?s Network Council̢??‰۝business owners from various industries across the nation who volunteer their time and entrepreneurial expertise to educate policymakers about the biggest issues facing small businesses today. The group was in Washington this week as part of Small Business Majority̢??‰?s 2nd Annual Network Council Trip.

The members of Small Business Majority̢??‰?s Network Council came from 15 states, including: California, Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Hampshire, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia. Along with their meeting with Sen. Stabenow, they met with top White House officials and sat on a panel co-hosted by Small Business Majority and The Hill newspaper about tax policy and access to capital. Check out all their events here.

To speak to a small business owner who attended the meeting contact Allison Abney, Media Relations Manager with Small Business Majority at (202) 289-0957 or [email protected].