[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 142 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Page S11489]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE SMALL BUSINESS, HEALTH, TAX, AND MINIMUM WAGE ACT

  Mr. JOHNSON. Mr. President, I am deeply concerned that important 
efforts to support small businesses are jeopardized by the many 
unrelated amendments that have been added to H.R. 2614 the Small 
Business, Health, Tax, and Minimum Wage Act. I ask my colleagues to 
join me in working to pass important legislation vital to preserve the 
Certified Development Company Program, the Small Business Innovation 
Research Program, and the reauthorization of the Small Businesses 
Administration. As Congress prepares to adjourn, it is irresponsible to 
prevent action on these important issues.
  I am very concerned that innocent provisions that support small 
businesses and job creation are being held hostage in a debate over 
unrelated issues. H.R. 2614 was introduced as a bill to amend the Small 
Business Investment Act to make improvements to the certified 
development company program. This program provides gap financing which 
is vital to foster entrepreneurship and create economic opportunities. 
In recent days, however, this bill has been loaded down with numerous 
provisions that completely overshadow this program and threaten to 
shatter our chance to authorize these programs before Congress 
adjourns.
  I am proud to speak out on behalf of the real intent of H.R. 2614 
which would help small businesses succeed. There is an old proverb used 
in my state of South Dakota which advises; ``Don't put off until 
tomorrow what can be done today.'' Today, we should strip out the 
politically charged amendments that have been tacked onto this bill and 
pass legislation both parties agree is important to our economy, our 
local communities, and many businesses and families across the country.
  It is careless not to reauthorize these important programs because of 
election year politics which bogged down the legislation with unrelated 
issues. Congress should vote on the genuine issues with regard to small 
business programs. We must not let certain partisan differences cause 
us to turn away from our opportunity to promote the entrepreneurial 
spirit of our country.
  There are many issues before this body which evoke strong differences 
of opinion, however, authorizing these important small business 
programs are not among them. I urge my colleagues to join me in 
securing the passage of this important legislation and not allow these 
widely supported initiatives to fall victim to nonrelated amendments 
thrown together in the closing days of Congress.

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