U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship (SBC), issued the following statement in advance of the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) and Propeller event, “Women Powering Social Change” on Thursday, October 15, 2015, in New Orleans, La. during which the NWBC will be presented with the Senate Resolution Vitter had passed last week declaring October to be National Women’s Small Business Month.

“As one of the fastest growing contributors to our economy, the nearly 10 million women-owned small businesses and the 1.5 million jobs they have created are vital components of our recovering economy and valued members of our communities,” said Vitter. “As a father of three daughters, I am committed to ensuring that women entrepreneurs have equal opportunity and access to resources to start and maintain successful small business ventures. This resolution not only acknowledges the success of women small business owners to this date, but also celebrates the continued potential of women entrepreneurs and demonstrates Congress’ commitment to ensuring their continued success.”

Last week, Vitter and SBC Ranking Member Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) passed a bipartisan Senate resolution recognizing National Women’s Small Business Month. This also marks the 27th anniversary of the signing into law of the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 1988 which established the NWBC and Women’s Business Center (WBC) Program under the Small Business Administration. This month, Vitter passed the bipartisan bill, S. 2126, the Women’s Business Ownership Act of 2015, with unanimous support out of Committee, reauthorizing the WBC Program. Earlier this year, he also passed through Committee with unanimous support S. 1866, the Veterans Small Business Ownership Improvements Act of 2015, which authorized another entrepreneurial development program, the Women Veterans Business Training Program. Both programs work to ensure women entrepreneurs and small business owners receive the highest quality entrepreneurial development training and counseling available.

As SBC Chairman, Vitter has tirelessly advocated for women entrepreneurs passing multiple pieces of legislation towards this end through Committee and leading two resolutions recognizing the work of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the NWBC. In March, Vitter hosted another roundtable discussion in New Orleans, La. with Louisiana women small business owners from across the state and the NWBC to discuss the struggles businesses face, such as gaining access to capital, navigating federal regulations, and competing in government contracts, as well as recognizing the successful women-owned business climate in Louisiana.

Since taking Chairmanship in January of this year, Vitter has passed 21 bipartisan bills and two bipartisan Committee resolutions out of the Committee.

SBC staff will formally present the Senate Resolution during the NWBC and Propeller event.

-30-