January 17, 2002

Washington, D.C. - Despite a country at war with international terrorism in response to the deadly attacks that hit U.S. shores in September, President Bush has maintained a remarkable focus on getting this country back to robust economic health, according to the Small Business Survival Committee (SBSC).  The small business advocacy group today cheered the President's announcement that the Administration is prepared to explore the possibility of negotiating a U.S.-Central America Free Trade Agreement, which would enhance current U.S. investment in the region and ensure that America's small business sector is not at a competitive disadvantage in exporting to the region.

"While the Senate Democratic leadership builds roadblocks to economic recovery, President Bush continues to advance positive initiatives that will help restore robust economic growth at home and democracy and economic opportunity abroad," stated SBSC Chairman Karen Kerrigan in response to today's White House announcement.

Upon the return of Congress, SBSC will aggressively push the passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) for President Bush; tax relief and incentives for small businesses; measures that make health insurance more affordable and flexible for small firms and their workforce; and, a sound energy package to encourage U.S. self-reliance on supply while keeping energy affordable.  Most of these items have been held up in the U.S. Senate.

On TPA, SBSC has played a key role in educating the Congress about the mammoth role that small businesses and entrepreneurs play in trade.  Two-thirds of the firms participating in the export economy have less than 20 employees.  Between 1987 and 1997, the number of U.S. small business exporters tripled from 65,900 to 202,185.

"President Bush has cheerfully advocated and proposed a range of innovative and useful ideas that will restore and grow our economy, and ones that will lead to a more secure world through peaceful commerce. Meanwhile, the Democratic leadership wallows in the tired Washington blame-game.  No wonder national surveys continue to demonstrate that the American public overwhelmingly prefers President Bush's ideas and approach to the Democrat's," added Kerrigan.      

SBSC is a national small business advocacy organization with 70,000 members nationwide.  For more information, please visit www.sbsc.org, or call (202)-785-0238.