Sen. George LeMieux Helps Propel Small-Business Bill Toward 'Yes' Vote

Florida's Sen. George LeMieux was one of two Republicans Tuesday who voted for the U.S. Senate's long-stalled small-business bill. LeMieux -- along with Sen. George Voinovich of Ohio -- probably will be credited with getting it passed probably later this week.

LeMieux said he'd always favored the bill, which President Barack Obama was pushing to create jobs. The idea was to provide credit-starved small businesses with borrowing opportunities. But, said the Florida Republican, "I was waiting for more Republican amendments to be considered."

LeMieux has supported the bill all along, even raved about its benefits during the summer recess despite the fact that it was largely the administration's baby -- considered an 11th hour attempt to impress voters that Congress could make a positive difference to the sagging economy. Le Mieux helped author the lending fund language that opens up loaning money to small businesses through primarily community banks.

Voinovich went along because, he said, business organizations are convinced the $30 billion fund could enable $300 billion in lending.