Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed H.R. 3329, a bill Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) helped introduce to increase access to capital for New Hampshire small businesses and individuals.
As a member of the U.S. House Small Business Committee, supporting New Hampshire small businesses and helping them access the capital they need to grow is one of Kuster’s top priorities. Kuster reached across the aisle to work with her Republican colleague, Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03) to help introduce H.R. 3329 late last year. This bipartisan bill would make it easier for smaller community banks that did not cause the 2008 financial crisis to raise capital, making more money available for loans to New Hampshire small businesses and consumers.
“I’ve traveled from one end of New Hampshire to another to hear from small business owners about how the federal government can better support their job creation efforts. Over and over again, New Hampshire entrepreneurs have told me that limited access to capital is one of their greatest obstacles to success,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “I was proud to reach across the aisle to work with my Republican colleague from Missouri to help free up more resources for our country’s small businesses, and I applaud my colleagues in the House for passing this legislation.”
In addition to facilitating small business growth, this bipartisan bill will also provide relief for hardworking New Hampshire families who turn to community banks for help buying a home or making other important purchases.
“New Hampshire bankers are encouraged to see Congress pass H.R. 3329, with the strong support of Congresswoman Kuster. We were pleased to have Congresswoman Kuster take the lead on legislation that will help improve the ability of New Hampshire community banks to raise additional capital, which will facilitate growth in our local economy. We thank Congresswoman Kuster for her leadership,” said Christiana Thornton, President and Chief Financial Officer, New Hampshire Bankers Association.
Since taking office, Kuster has prioritized efforts to foster job creation, grow the economy, and help small businesses succeed. Earlier this year, she unveiled her Middle Class Jobs and Opportunity Agenda, a blueprint based on meetings with Granite State residents, families, business owners and others, that outlines common sense steps to support job growth in New Hampshire. One of the priorities she outlines in her economic agenda is an increased access to capital for New Hampshire small businesses.
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