On April 25, the House passed, 380-45, the Small Business Lending Improvements Act (H.R. 1332), sponsored by Rep. Melissa Bean (D-IL). The bill would make permanent the Community Express program a program that partners with community-based organizations to help women-, minority-, and veteran-owned businesses gain access to necessary business financing and technical assistance. The measure also would allow two or more owners to combine their interests to determine whether at least 51 percent of the small business is owned by minorities, women, or veterans.
