• Congressional Update: Both Finished and Unfinished Business
• House Small Business Democrats Claim Stagnancy on Small Business Legislation
• NAWBO to Hold Public Policy Days in February
• Member Poll: Finding Financing – Extended Through December
• Washington Watch to Break for Two Weeks

Congressional Update: Both Finished and Unfinished Business

Following up last week’s Washington Watch Congressional update, the U.S. House and Senate have brokered some deals and left others to be resolved next year. The stand-alone Gulf Coast reconstruction tax incentive bill (HR 4440) was agreed upon and passed by both chambers and will be sent to the President for signature into law. The stand-alone bill to extend the increased alternative minimum tax (AMT) and a bill to extend non-controversial tax breaks that were due to expire has been passed by the House but not yet addressed by the Senate. Senators do not seem concerned with passing these pieces of legislation before the end of the year because they can still be implemented before tax season next year. As of press time, Congress is still mulling over the defense appropriations bill, which includes several provisions for hurricane relief and avian flu preparedness, and the budget savings plan. The battle over the defense appropriations bill (HR 2863) in the Senate stems from a provision that would allow drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), which was added to the bill in the conference period between the House and Senate. Currently, Republicans are scrambling to secure 60 senators to stop a filibuster since the measure has already cleared the House. The budget savings bill (S. 1932) is expected to pass but has not yet been brought to the floor for a vote. The House narrowly adopted the bill and Vice President Cheney may be called in to break a tie in the Senate. The NASE continues to follow the work of Congress and measure the effect on micro-business. Tell your Members of Congress what you think by visiting the online NASE Legislative Action Center at http://advocacy.NASE.org. House Small Business Democrats Claim Stagnancy on Small Business Legislation Nydia Velázquez The House Small Business Democrats issued a report last week that highlighted 11 critical issues for small business growth and 41 pieces of legislation that have not moved in the House this past year. Out of the 41 pieces of legislation reviewed in the report, 18 were sponsored by Democrats, 23 were sponsored by Republicans, and 22 of the initiatives were bipartisan efforts. “What we are seeing today is an economy that is need of revitalization, job creation and confidence, but the federal policies that help small businesses are simply going nowhere in Congress," Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) said. "This severely dampens the business climate for entrepreneurs and until Congress recognizes the need to do more than just talk about helping small businesses, things are not going to change. The last thing we want is another do nothing Congress for small business - but if we keep pace with the record of the 1st session that is exactly what it will be.” Velázquez and others noted the continuously growing struggle to afford reasonable health care and the stunted growth of small business federal contracts as major issues that Congress needs to address next year. The NASE has been fighting for the introduction and passage of many bills that would help micro-businesses. Due to unforeseen events this year, including the length of the war, Supreme Court nominations, and natural disasters, small business has not been at the top of the agenda this past year. Hopefully next year more legislation will move through Congress and into action. The NASE top legislative priority for 2006 is the elimination of self-employment tax on health insurance premiums. The NASE continues to follow the work of Congress and measure the effect on micro-business. Tell your Members of Congress what you think by visiting the online NASE Legislative Action Center at http://advocacy.NASE.org. NAWBO to Hold Public Policy Days in February The National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) invites women business owners from across the country to come to Washington, DC to discuss important policy issues with members of Congress at a public policy conference February 19-21, 2006 for the NAWBO Public Policy Days. The conference gives women a chance to hear from today’s policy makers, and learn how to strengthen local lobbying efforts and connections within a network of peers. It also includes a chance to visit Capitol Hill and make women’s business issues heard to legislators. For more information or to register, visit http://www.nawbo.org/events/calendar_details.php?did=13. Member Poll: Finding Financing – Extended Through December We know this is a busy time of the year for you. That’s why we’re extending the current member poll through December. Take time out to tell the NASE how you have handled the financing of your business in this month’s online poll. Let the NASE know your opinions by visiting the MyNASE Web site at http://my.NASE.org/. Log in to your free MyNASE Web Account. If you have not set up an account, you can do so at http://my.NASE.org/ with your member number. Let your voice be heard in the association by taking this survey during the month of December. Washington Watch to Break for Two Weeks Washington Watch will take a two week hiatus while Congress is in recess. See you in the New Year! Happy Holidays.