• Jeffords Defection Means Change in Senate Small Business Committee

• NASE Launches New Online Legislative Action Center

Jeffords Defection Means Change in Senate Small Business Committee
“In order to best represent my state of Vermont, my own conscience, and the principles I have stood for my whole life, I will leave the Republican Party and become an Independent. Control of the Senate will soon be changed by my decision.” These fateful words, recently spoken by Senator James Jeffords of Vermont, have caused dramatic changes in the organization and leadership of the U.S. Senate.

With Jeffords’defection from the Republican Party, the Democrats now have control of the Senate. The shift in leadership has forced the Senate to reorganize and shift leadership responsibilities in all the Senate Committees. The Senate Small Business Committee will have a new chairman, which is most likely to be Sen. John Kerry (D-MA), the current Ranking Member. The prospective chairman for the Finance Committee, which marks up tax issues, is Democratic Senator Max Baucus of Montana.

The change in Senate leadership may also have the profound effect of stalling or shifting President Bush’s agenda as well as the direction of Congress. With Senator Thomas Daschle (D-SD) as Majority Leader, education, the Patient’s Bill of Rights, and most likely the minimum wage will become top agenda items in the Senate.

For more information, please contact Kristie L. Darien, NASE Director of Government Affairs, at (202) 466-2100 or kdarien@nase.org.

NASE Launches New Legislative Action Center
On June 1, the National Association for the Self-Employed (NASE) launched its new state-of-the-art Legislative Action Center at advocacy.nase.org

Now you can get up-to-the-minute legislative news about small-business issues and connect with your Members of Congress. 

• Simply type in your zip code to get information about your legislators such as email address, photos, voting records and more.

• With a click of your mouse, send an email to your legislators and make sure your voice is heard.

• Track key legislation by following current bills that are important to the self-employed

• Sign up for the Washington Watch email newsletter and be the first to know about breaking legislative news

Get Involved! Become An NASE Small Business Crusader
The NASE Small Business Crusader Program is a grassroots advocacy program designed to mobilze self-employed professionals. By becoming a Small Business Crusader, you join other self-employed individuals and small-business owners who actively support the NASE's legislative objectives. This is your chance to speak out for small business and let your elected officials know where you stand on key issues.