Jeanne Shaheen: “Today, hopefully, we will finally extend unemployment insurance to those who can't find a job in this difficult economic…”

“Today, hopefully, we will finally extend unemployment insurance to those who can't find a job in this difficult economic climate. Our next task is to help small employers and entrepreneurs grow their businesses and hire new workers. That is the only way we will fully emerge from this recession. Over the past 15 years, small businesses have created almost two-thirds of the new jobs in America. Small businesses are the cornerstone of New Hampshire's economy. Over 96 percent of businesses in the Granite State are small businesses with fewer than 500 employees. That is why we need, once we have passed the extension of unemployment insurance, to pass the Small Business Jobs Act as soon as possible. This is legislation that will dramatically increase lending to small businesses, it will enhance the ability of small companies to export, and it will provide tax relief to small firms. I am proud that as a member of the Small Business Committee I helped craft this bill under the leadership of the chair of that committee, Senator Mary Landrieu, and ranking member Senator Olympia Snowe.”