Pelosi to House: Let's Destroy More Jobs

House Health Bill Will Drive Unemployment Higher Says Small Business Group

WASHINGTON, Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With the unemployment rate now
shockingly high, and perhaps moving higher, a national small business leader
warned the U.S. House that advancing the Pelosi health-care bill will lead to
further job loss and a deterioration of the small business sector if enacted.
According to Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) President
& CEO Karen Kerrigan, the economic rebound that Americans are desperately
looking for will not happen with job-killing tax hikes and mandates like those
included in H.R. 3962. The House is scheduled to vote on the bill on November
7, 2009.

"The Pelosi health bill drains capital from the enterprises that need it most,
and imposes taxes and mandates on businesses and individuals that can least
afford these new cost burdens. Small firms will be forced to cut jobs, and
encouraged to stay below the penalty threshold of the 'play-or-pay' scheme.
That means fewer jobs created. To top it off, the legislation will not lower
health coverage costs for small business owners. In fact, it will raise health
costs. H.R. 3962 is an irrational piece of legislation and we expect every
member of the House who claims an allegiance to small business owners to vote
against it," said Kerrigan.

It was reported today that the unemployment rate has reached 10.2 percent.
Small business owners continue to be gripped by uncertainty because of
unstable economic conditions and the fear of policies being debated in
Washington that will impose new costs and requirements on their firms.

"The key issues of concern in Tuesday's elections were jobs and the economy.
Indeed this 'local issue' is a national one and all U.S. House members must
pay attention to their constituents needs. Real people's jobs are on the line
with this legislation, as is the survival of countless small businesses,"
added Kerrigan.

SBE Council is a national small business advocacy organization dedicated to
protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. For more
information, please visit: www.sbecouncil.org.

CONTACT: Karen Kerrigan
kkerrigan@att.net
or, Mabel Vaught, mvaught@sbecouncil.org
(703)242-5840

SOURCE Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council

Karen Kerrigan, kkerrigan@att.net, or, Mabel Vaught, mvaught@sbecouncil.org,
both of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, +1-703-242-5840