Key Exporting Bills Introduced in Senate

An important export bill
strongly supported by the Small Business Exporters Association–the
international trade arm of NSBA–is advancing this week to a markup in
the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The bill
would increase funding and strengthen the U.S. Small Business
Administration’s (SBA) support for exports. A separate bill to appoint
an Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Small Business has now been
referred to the Senate Finance Committee.

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine),
Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and
Entrepreneurship, introduced the two bills on Dec. 9. Sen. Mary
Landrieu (D-La.), Chair of the Committee, is a cosponsor.

The Small Business Export Enhancement and International Trade Act of 2009 (S. 2862) would support small business exporters by:

• Expanding SBA international
  trade finance programs through ssgnificant increases in International
  Trade and Export Working Capital Loans, and establishment of an Export
  Express program to help small businesses develop or expand their export
  business
• Increasing promotion of exports within SBA through the establishment an SBA
  Associate Administrator for International Trade to carry out the
  Agency’s international trade programs and formulate its trade and
  export policy
• Providing additional SBA
  export finance specialists at U.S. Export Assistance Centers who have
  developed a phenomenal track record of boosting small-business exports

The Small Business Trade Representation Act of 2009 (S. 2861)
would establish an Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Small
Business to ensure that small businesses are represented in trade
negotiations and in U.S. trade policy.

These bills address many of
the SBEA’s priority issues and will greatly enhance the ability of
small businesses to increase exports and American jobs.