The $200 billion remodeling industry is almost exclusively small businesses that operate in local communities. And we can now confirm that money spent on remodeling stays local.

In the Gulf region and nationwide, small businesses are an integral and crucial part of local economies and communities. They should not be overlooked.

Among our responsibilities is to make sure that 23 percent of all government contracts go to small businesses. That's about $150 billion annually, from all the government agencies.

Small businesses are really the engine in the economy.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy.

Telephones are a virtual necessity - not a luxury - and the revenues collected by this tax flow into the general fund. But this once temporary tax remains and costs American taxpayers, our small businesses and families almost $6 billion dollars a year.