Helping Businesses Grow

With more than nine million Americans still searching for work, one of our top priorities should be helping the private sector create more jobs. Last week, I was happy to see Members of both parties come together to support a strategy for improving job growth here in the United States, passing a comprehensive jobs bill, including my own legislation making it easier for companies to go public. 

As an entrepreneur who has taken two companies public, I understand the powerful impact that businesses have on the American economy when they hold an initial public offering (IPO). Data published in Forbes shows that the United States economy adds an estimated 822 jobs each time a company goes public.  For struggling families and Americans looking for work, those numbers can mean the difference between a regular income and continued unemployment.

Last year, I worked with Representative Stephen Fincher (R-TN) to introduce the Improving Access to Capital for Emerging Growth Companies Act, a bill to streamline the IPO process for companies ready to sell shares in a public exchange. My bill would allow an emerging growth company (EGC) to conduct a road show more quickly after registering with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and would clarify the definition of an EGC to ensure all eligible companies can take part in the streamlined process.

In March of this year, I was proud to see my legislation pass the Committee on Financial Services with unanimous support. Last week, my bill passed the House as part of a larger jobs package under the Promoting Job Creation and Reducing Small Business Burdens Act. I voted for the underlying bill when it passed the House by a vote of 320 to 102.

While last Tuesday’s bipartisan vote took an important step forward in Congress’ work to encourage job growth, we should be working together every day to improve the United States economy. To keep up with my work bringing both parties together on our country’s top priorities, I encourage you to sign up for my e-newsletter or to join me on Facebook