Washington, DC – Today, a bill sponsored by Congressman William J. Jefferson (D-La.) aimed at helping struggling small businesses in devastated Gulf Coast communities passed in the U.S. House of Representatives.  Members voted via voice vote and a recorded vote was not requested.         

The “Disadvantaged Business Disaster Eligibility Act” (HR 1468) would give small businesses in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama an additional 18 months eligibility to participate in the 8(A) Disadvantaged Business Development Program.  The 8(A) program is a nine year program for African-American, Hispanic, Asian and non-minority women owned firms.  Since Hurricane Katrina forced many small businesses to shut down for the past 18 months, these businesses were not able to continue participating in the 8(A) program.  The bill passed today in the House would allow these businesses essentially to pick up where they left off, which is only fair for small business owners- some of whom are still struggling to get back in the black.
 
Congressman Jefferson said, “When Hurricane Katrina ripped through New Orleans in August 2005, more than 77,000 small businesses were damaged or destroyed.  Many of these businesses were participating in the 8(A) program.  The legislation that passed the House today makes up lost time for these business owners, who have an uphill fight for recovery in New Orleans- simply because the local traffic is half of what it used to be.  This bill is about equity and fairness.”