Launching of the Senate Entrepreneaurship Caucus

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Last week, I was very excited to help launch the bipartisan Senate Entrepreneurship Caucus to address the most pressing issues facing entrepreneurs and to serve as a forum for collaboration and coordination. Startup rates have recently fallen to near 30-year lows, threatening the fundamentals that lead to sustained economic growth — the caucus will work to diagnose the causes of this “startup slump” and formulate a comprehensive strategy to counteract it, as well as serve as a clearinghouse for proposals from interested groups who wish to share their ideas with policymakers who are committed to supporting our nation’s entrepreneurs. As a former small business owner, I know the tough battles many face when trying to go from the drawing board to the boardroom. However, small businesses and entrepreneurship are the backbone of the American economy. With more than 30 million small businesses from the coasts to the heartland, our nation continues to make dreams into reality. I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Senate Entrepreneurship Caucus to ensure that we create a financial and economic environment where every idea can come to life. The Senate Entrepreneurship Caucus will be led by Co-Chairs Scott and Klobuchar. Caucus members also include Senators Roy Blunt (R-MO), Chris Coons (D-DE), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hoeven (R-ND), James Inhofe (R-OK), Doug Jones (D-AL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Gary Peters (D-MI), David Perdue (R-GA), and Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ). Formation of the caucus is supported by the Center for American Entrepreneurship (CAE), Economic Innovation Group (EIG), the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Majority, the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), Main Street Alliance, the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, Small Business Investor Alliance, the American Investment Council, and the National Venture Capital Association. I joined Sens. Ben Sasse (R-NE) and Tom Cotton (R-AR) on March 14 in introducing the Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2019. This legislation creates an opt-in for military families to establish Military Education Savings Accounts (ESAs) to help fund their children's education and expand access to personalized, high-quality educational experiences. The most essential part of a service member’s support system is his or her family. Military families provide a firm foundation for their loved ones who sacrifice daily to preserve and protect our nation. It is imperative that we do everything we can to ensure that the children of our service members are taken care of and have the opportunities to receive a quality education. As a kid who lived on an Air Force base, I know how important it is for parents to have options for their children's education. I am proud to have joined my colleagues in introducing this act. Tim Scott serves as one of two South Carolina senators in the United States Senate.