Another minority vote from Idaho's First District Congressman Bill Sali. This time the vote was against a bill that would improve access to small business loans. Two of the bill's seven co-sponsors were Republicans Rob Bishop of Utah and Steve Chabot of Ohio.
HR 1332 Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007 — To improve the access to capital programs of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.
Votes Database
Congressman Sali — No
Congressman Simpson — Yes
Republican Position — Yes
Democratic Position — Yes
Result — Passed 380-45
Among other things the bill would:
- Direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to carry out a rural lending outreach program and a community express program for loans of $250,000 or less.
- Direct the Administrator to carry out a Medical Professionals in Designated Shortage Areas program and an Increased Veteran Participation program.
- Revise eligibility requirements for development company designation as a certified development company (CDC).
- Require certain CDCs to contract for the foreclosure and liquidation of defaulted small business loans.
- Authorize SBA loans for projects which reduce energy consumption by at least ten percent.
The reason for the no vote is currently a mystery; Congressman Sali made no floor speech regarding the bill and his website also contains no information.
Hmm, it's a mystery just like the Club for Growth mysteriously spent hundreds of thousands of dollars supporting this candidate in the primary and general elections...
Posted by: Sara | April 28, 2007 at 07:03 PM
Yeah, he votes against the minimum wage bill because it will supposedly put a burden on small business but then he also "mysteriously" votes against this bill that would help small businesses secure financing. I'm interested in hearing his attempt to reason this vote.
Posted by: MountainGoat | April 29, 2007 at 08:23 AM
GOP Congressman Chabot of Ohio had this to say in a press release on his website:
“Our economy is dependent upon the ability of small business owners and entrepreneurs to access the capital they need to start or expand their businesses,” said Congressman Chabot, the Committee’s Ranking Member and a sponsor of the legislation. “This bipartisan legislation will continue to enable the SBA’s primary lending program to operate without subsidy – and that’s important. Should tax dollars be appropriated, the bill requires the funds be used to reduce borrower fees.”
Read the whole release:
http://www.house.gov/apps/list/press/oh01_chabot/lendingImprov.html
Posted by: MountainGoat | April 29, 2007 at 05:02 PM