Small Businesses Support Senate̢??‰?s Approval of Filibuster Rule Change

The Senate̢??‰?s vote today to change the rule requiring a super majority of 60 votes to confirm most presidential nominees to a simple majority is welcome news to small employers. When Congress holds up the confirmation process for heads of government agencies, it hinders its ability to function properly and do critical work that benefits small businesses, consumers and the economy.

A scientific opinion poll Small Business Majority released recently found a strong majority of small business owners believe Congress has been doing a poor job confirming presidential nominees. The poll also revealed small employers believe the president̢??‰?s nominations deserve a timely up or down vote and don̢??‰?t approve of the Senate regularly holding up votes to confirm nominations to key government positions like judgeships and government agencies.

Small businesses understand that to survive in this tough economy they need government agencies running smoothly and forming policies that encourage them to innovate. That̢??‰?s why they support timely votes on the president̢??‰?s nominees, so the government can continue to promote policies that will help small employers grow and create jobs.

If lawmakers want to do what̢??‰?s best for small businesses, they should spend their time working to strengthen our economy and advancing smart policies that encourage job creation̢??‰۝not holding up confirmation processes for presidential nominees or hindering government agencies from doing their jobs. We hope this rule change will speed up the process for nominees and prevent some lawmakers from using filibusters to delay or even prevent confirmations based entirely on partisan politics. It̢??‰?s the right thing to do for small businesses and our country.