NEWS ARTICLES | December 22, 2008

Landrieu Makes History

By Gerard Shields  |  2theadvocate.com  |  Link to article

From Washington Watch

U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu, D-La., took part in making congressional history last week when she was appointed chairwoman of the Senate Small Business Committee.

Landrieu and ranking Republican Olympia Snowe, of Maine, become the first two female lawmakers to lead a full committee in Congress.

Landrieu wasted little time in contacting Obama about her concerns for the 25.8 million small businesses in the nation. Landrieu, who also is a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, noted the incoming administration will inherit an SBA that has been drastically cut in terms of funding and staffing between 2001 and 2008.

The agency was slashed by $499.5 million, or 26 percent, according to outgoing Small Business Committee Chairman John Kerry of Massachusetts, who will now lead the Foreign Relations Committee.

“For this agency to truly realize its mission — particularly in supporting our small businesses through the current economic crisis — SBA needs funding increases to carry out its lending, technical assistance and entrepreneurship programs,” Landrieu said in a statement.