Press Releases

Caucus will raise awareness of issues that impact small businesses, such as access to capital, regulation and taxation, and access to technology

Reps. Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Scott Tipton (R-CO) announced today the formation of a bipartisan caucus committed to open dialogue on the issues that most impact small businesses. Members of the Congressional Small Business Caucus are dedicated to advancing efforts to foster the economic certainty needed for small businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed and create jobs.

In addition to Tipton and Pingree, 17 Members of Congress have joined the Small Business Caucus to date including: Reps. Cory Gardner (R-CO), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Mike Honda (D-CA), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Richard Hanna (R-NY), Ron Barber (D-AZ), Mark Takano (D-CA), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Mike Pompeo (R-KS), Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Chris Collins (R-NY), Steve King (R-IA), Denny Heck (D-WA), Dina Titus (D-NV) and Blaine Leutkemeyer (R-MO).

The primary goals of the Caucus include:

· Raising awareness of issues that most impact small businesses including access to capital, access to technology, regulation and taxation, and exploring legislative solutions toencourage entrepreneurship and small business growth;

· Providing a forum for candid conversation with small business owners to gather recommendations onwhat issues and priorities Congress should focus on to assist small businesses;

· Advancing and promoting small business initiatives that support local commerce and strengthen communities,

· Providing information and education to help Members of Congress arrange job fairs, business roundtables, trade expos and other events in their districts that promote small business growth and encourage job creation;

"Small businesses are the engine of our economy and essential part of the economic recovery. Congressman Tipton and I have experienced first-hand the challenges that millions of small business owners across the country face—meeting payroll, paying rising health care costs for employees and looking for financing to start or grow a business. We are starting the bipartisan Small Business Caucus to put that experience to work and find ways to help small business thrive," Pingree said.

"This bipartisan partnership will provide small businesses and entrepreneurs with a new platform for their voices to be heard in Washington. As a lifelong small business owner, I've experienced many of the challenges that go along with operating a small business and signing the front of a paycheck. I intend to use this experience as a guide for our work on the Small Business Caucus. I look forward to partnering with my co-chair, Rep. Chellie Pingree, and the other members of this caucus in this effort to help small businesses succeed and generate economic growth in this nation," Tipton said.

Pingree has owned a number of small businesses, including North Island Designs, which she started in her home on the island of North Haven, Maine. The businesses grew to sell yarn and knitting kits to over 500 retail stores nationwide. Currently Pingreeowns Nebo Lodge, an Inn and Restaurant on North Haven, and Turner Farm, which produces and sells organic meat and produce.

Tipton co-founded Mesa Verde IndianPottery in Cortez with his brother after graduating from college. With morethan 30 years in business, Mesa Verde Indian Pottery continues to partner with Native Americans to produce and sell world-class pottery, and is known worldwide for quality and artistry.