Statement Margot Dorfman, CEO U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce July 12, 2010

On behalf of the U.S. Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the millions of small businesses, employees of small businesses and communities all across the United States that rely upon growth and stability of small businesses, I call upon Congress and President Obama to complete a strong and effective package of financial reform.

While big banks, Wall Street lobbyists, and front groups have spent millions and millions to convince Congress to continue the status quo by ignoring the abuses and risks that have decimated the lives of every day Americans, small businesses continue to be pillaged through the reckless actions of creditors and banks – and the lack of stability brought by the failure of Congress to complete financial reform.

The extraordinary abuse of small businesses and every day Americans by a financial industry that has taken unwarranted profits through ruthless predatory practices must be stopped. Wall Street cannot continue to turn our homes, businesses and retirements into gambling chips for their destructive casino economy. It is time for Congress to act on behalf of the small businesses and every day Americans.

How will America’s small businesses benefit through strong and swift financial reform?

• America’s small businesses will benefit by reforms bringing stability to our financial markets through decreasing risk and increasing transparency and accountability.
• America’s small businesses will benefit by reforms bringing greater access, transparency and predictability to credit and capital markets – thereby allowing them to plan with greater confidence and accuracy for their business growth needs.