By Carol M cCracken  (Post # 1,285)

US Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and Scott Tipton  (R-CO) announced today the formation of a bipartisan caucus committed to open dialogue on the issues that most impact small businesses.  Members of the Congressional Small Business Caucus are dedicated to advancing efforts to foster the economic certainty needed for small businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed and create jobs, according to a press release issued by Congresswoman Pingree’s office today.

In addition to Pingree and Tipton, there are 17 members of Congress who have joined the Small Business Caucus to date including:  Reps. Gory Gardner (R-CO, Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Mike  Honda (D-CA), Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH), Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), Richard Hanna  (R-NY), Ron Barber (D-AZ), Mark Takano (D-CA), Steve Chabot (R-OH), Mike Pompeo (R-KS), Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Chris Collins (R-NY),  Steve King (R-IA), Denny Heck (D-WA),  Dana Titus (D-NY) and Blaine Leutkemeyer (R-MO).

The primary goals of the Caucus include: raising awareness of issues, providing a forum for candid conversations advancing and promoting small business initittives and providing information and education to help Members of Congress arrange job fairs, business roundtables, trade expos and other events in their districts that promote small business growth and enourage job creation.

“Small businesses are the engine of our economy and essential part of the economic recovery.  Congressman Tipton and I have experienced first-hand the challenges that millions of small business owners across the country face – meeting payroll, paying rising health care costs for employees and looking for financing to start or grow a business.  We are starting the bipartisan Small Business Caucus to put that experience to work and find ways to help small businesses thrive,” Pingree said.

Both Pingree and Tipton are small business owners.