Voice for Small Business Backs Connie Mack For Senate

The National Federation of Independent Business released the following endorsement for U.S. Rep. Connie Mack, R-Fort Myers, in the race for U.S. Senate:

In a race that could determine the balance of power in Washington, the countrys leading advocate for small-business owners today endorsedCongressman Connie Mack (R-14) in his bid to unseat United States Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.).

Lisa Goeas, NFIB vice president in charge of the organizations grassroots and political operations, said that the choice in this election is crystal clear for small-business owners in Florida.

Connie Mack has a perfect voting record on small-business issues this Congress. He stood with Florida small businesses on all of the big issues and hes been one of the strongest defenders of free enterprise in Washington, she said. Hes committed to reducing the massive federal deficit without raising taxes. He supports lower, flatter taxes to make the American economy more competitive and he understands the heavy burden that excessive regulation places on small businesses.

NFIB surveys its members at the start of every congressional session to identify the legislative issues by which they are most concerned. The organization analyzes and monitors all of the bills and then tracks the votes of every member of Congress and the Senate. Mack earned a perfect 100 percent voting record on NFIBs key votes andrecently received NFIBs Guardian of Small Business Award in Washington, D.C. Sen. Nelson, on the other hand, did not receive an award after earning a disappointing 36 percent.

Every member of Congress claims to be an advocate for small business, but thats often not reflected in the votes they cast, said Goeas. Connie Mack has been a rock-solid supporter of small business. Hes already done big things for small business and well be encouraging our members to work hard this year to send him to the Senate.

NFIB/Florida Executive Director Bill Herrle cited Macks approach to regulation as a key factor in the way small-business owners view the choice.

The cost of complying with federal regulations is a staggering burden for small businesses in Florida, he said. It adds thousands of dollars to the cost of hiring new employees. It makes products and services more expensive, and therefore less competitive, and small businesses just cant keep up with the proliferation of rules that are often based on theories and computer models that are far removed from the real economy.

Herrle cited Macks opposition to the federal health care law and the cap-and-trade policies being implemented by the Obama administration despite their failure to pass Congress.

Small-business owners dont oppose all regulations, but they expect that when the federal government forces them to retrofit equipment, adopt new processes and pay more for energy that there should be some consideration of the impact on jobs and the economy, he said. Connie Mack understands that government can be smarter without getting bigger and thats why small-business owners want to see him in the U.S. Senate so he can continue doing big things for small business."