Title: The Impact of Government Shutdown on Veteran Small Businesses
The recent cancellation of National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) by the Small Business Administration (SBA) due to the ongoing federal government shutdown has raised concerns among veteran entrepreneurs and supporters. Scheduled from Monday through Friday, NVSBW was meant to honor America's 1.6 million veteran-owned small businesses. However, with the majority of SBA services frozen during the shutdown, including their small business lending programs and public events like National Veterans Small Business Week, many veterans are left in limbo.
The government shutdown has been a contentious issue since its commencement on October 1st, with Senate Democrats repeatedly blocking bills to fund the government. SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler blames this impasse for the cancellation of NVSBW and accuses Democrats of refusing to support a clean funding bill that would reopen the government. She also points out that they are "continuing to block pay for more than 1 million active-duty military members."
The theme for this year's NVSBW, "Veteran-Owned, American Made," aimed at highlighting how veteran-owned small businesses drive U.S. manufacturing, strengthen national security and contribute over $1 trillion in annual sales to the economy. The cancellation of such an event sends a negative message about the government's commitment towards supporting veterans who have served their country.
The implications of this shutdown extend beyond just canceling NVSBW; it also affects other aspects of veteran-owned businesses, including access to loans and grants that could help them grow or expand operations. The long-term effects remain uncertain but could potentially lead to a decline in the number of new veteran-owned startups if they cannot secure funding during this period.
In conclusion, while the government shutdown has far-reaching implications across various sectors, its impact on veteran small businesses is particularly concerning given their significant contributions to our economy and national security. It's crucial for policymakers to find a solution soon so that these entrepreneurs can continue pursuing their dreams without being held back by political gridlock.
Source: [Original Article](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/sba-chief-kelly-loeffler-blames-senate-democrats-canceling-veterans-business-week) #chief
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