Press Releases

Luetkemeyer's First Bill Clears House with Bi-Partisan Support; Will Enhance Job Creation

Washington, DC, May 20, 2009
U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer's (MO-9) first piece of legislation, which will make the Small Business Administration's entrepreneurial development programs more effective and responsive to hard-working small business owners, passed overwhelmingly today with bi-partisan support in the House.
U.S. Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer’s (MO-9) first piece of legislation, which will make the Small Business Administration’s entrepreneurial development programs more effective and responsive to hard-working small business owners, passed overwhelmingly today with bi-partisan support in the House.
The Job Creation through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009, introduced by Luetkemeyer and Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler of North Carolina, expands programs like Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Women’s Business Centers and the Service Corps of Retired Executives.  The bill, which passed 406 to 15, also creates new support services for veteran-owned and Native American-owned small businesses. 
“As we continue to address the problems plaguing our economy, I am pleased that my first bill assists our small business owners, who are the number one job creators in the country and who will play a pivotal role in restoring our economy,” Luetkemeyer said. “I am pleased that this bill enjoyed such strong bi-partisan support, and I want to thank Congressman Shuler for his hard work in helping us get this bill through the House.”
The bill also includes new online learning programs to assist entrepreneurs in rural regions and underserved communities and creates a grant program for SBDCs designed to assist small firms in securing capital and credit. Shuler said he was pleased with the final product and praised Luetkemeyer for his work on the legislation.
“Businesses that take advantage of these resources are twice as likely to succeed.  As a small business owner myself, I know these programs provide the counseling and technical resources that can make the difference for an entrepreneur trying to get off of the ground,” said Rep. Heath Shuler, the Chairman of the Subcommitteeon Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade. “I commend Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer’s leadership in the Job Creation through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009.  He understands that entrepreneurial development programs mean more successful small businesses, which translates into more jobs in Missouri, North Carolina, and throughout the United States. ”
The legislation heads next to the Senate for consideration.