News From Congresswoman
Nydia M. Velázquez
Representing New York's 12th Congressional District - Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens
Ranking Democratic Member, House Small Business Committee

For Immediate Release
February 10, 2005

CONTACT: Kate Davis, Allyson Ivins, (202) 225-4038

House Small Business Committee Democrats Announce New Members

WASHINGTON - The Democratic Caucus of the House Small Business Committee convened yesterday, chaired by Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Member, to organize Democratic members of the committee and outline the caucus agenda for the 109th Congress.

"We all know how important small businesses are to the U.S. economy. They generated nearly 80 percent of the jobs over the last decade, and employ over half of the private sector," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "In working together during this next Congress, I know we can continue to help this vital sector overcome the challenges they face, in order to allow them to do what they do best - innovation and job creation."

Democrats on the committee will work on a variety of issues, which include ensuring key lending programs are fully funded, and the federal marketplace is open to small business. They will also examine ways to provide relief from burdensome taxes and federal regulations, and ensure health care is affordable and accessible to all small businesses. In addition, the committee will work to ensure that an SBA reauthorization is passed to modernize key SBA programs during the next Congress.

The Members of the Committee are as follows: Juanita Millender-McDonald (Calif.); Tom Udall (N.M.), Daniel Lipinski (Ill.), Eni Faleomavaega (American Samoa), Danny Davis (Ill.), Donna Christian-Christensen (Virgin Islands), Ed Case (Hawaii), Madeleine Bordallo (Guam), Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Michael Michaud (Maine), Linda Sanchéz (Calif.), John Barrow (Ga.), and Melissa Bean (Ill.).

The Committee also selected the Ranking Members of the Subcommittees: Congresswoman Millender-McDonald will serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports, Congressman Lipinski will serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Workforce, Empowerment and Government Programs, Congressman Barrow will serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology, and Congresswoman Bordallo will serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight.

Congresswoman Velázquez announced the following House Small Business Committee Subcommittee assignments:

Subcommittee on Workforce Empowerment, and Government Programs:
Ranking Member: Lipinski
Udall
Davis
Grijalva
Barrow
Bean

Subcommittee on Regulatory Reform and Oversight:
Ranking Member: Bordallo
Faleomavaega
Christian-Christensen
Case

Subcommittee on Rural Enterprises, Agriculture and Technology:
Ranking Member: Barrow
Udall
Case
Michaud

Subcommittee on Tax, Finance and Exports:
Ranking Member: Millender-McDonald
Lipinski
Faleomavaega
Davis
Case
Michaud
Bean

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