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Conan Knoll
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Small Business For America’s Future Applauds Historic Diverse Nominations for Economic Team; Nomination of Yellen to Lead Treasury Department

Statement by Rhett Buttle, senior advisor to Small Business for America’s Future and former national business advisor at Biden for President 

Washington, D.C., Nov. 30, 2020—Small business owners will welcome the news that President-elect Joe Biden has officially nominated Janet Yellen to serve as Secretary of the Treasury. In addition to the historic nature of her nomination – it is long past time for a woman to serve in the post – Yellen will bring welcome experience and steady leadership to a position that has too often failed to deliver the thoughtful, consistent and competent leadership required to help small businesses through the Covid-19 pandemic.

The nominations of Neera Tanden as Director of the Office of Management and Budget and  Cecilia Rouse as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers rounds out a diverse and tested economic team. The inclusion of Heather Boushey and Jared Bernstein as members of the Council of Economic Advisers is welcome news, as well.

I have worked with Neera, Heather, and Jared for years to make sure small businesses, their workers, and communities are at the center of our country’s economic policy solutions. I look forward to working with them and others in their new leadership positions to continue our important focus on small business during this period, when it is needed more than ever. 

Job No. 1 for the Biden Administration will be to temper the pandemic’s blow to the economy as the unchecked spread of Covid-19 threatens to inflict a second downturn. A recent Small Business for America’s Future survey shows 19% of small business owners have already considered bankruptcy and 39% say they won't make it past the New Year without further financial relief. Compounding these woes are reports that nearly 6 million adults say they are somewhat or very likely to face eviction or foreclosure in the next two months, creating more  financial hardship that will ripple through the entire economy.

Many of the 30 million small business owners in this country, who employ nearly half of all American workers, are desperate for help. The Trump Administration and GOP majority in the Senate have shown a shocking disregard for their needs. We are encouraged that President-elect Biden has nominated such experienced economic leaders to change this disastrous course and help our economy and our small businesses recover.

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About Small Business for America’s Future
Small Business for America’s Future is a national coalition of small business owners and leaders working to provide small businesses a voice at every level of government. We’re committed to ensuring policymakers prioritize the nation’s 30 million small businesses to create an economy that works for them, their workers and their communities. Visit www.smallbusinessforamericasfuture.org. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook. #SmallBizAF.