On Tuesday Congressman Jason Altmire (D-PA-4), rated the most anti-small business member of Congress by the American Small Business League (ASBL), lost his bid for reelection. Congressman Altmire was defeated by follow Democratic Congressman Mark Critz (D-PA-12).

“I’m pleased to hear that Altmire is going to be out of Congress,” said ASBL President Lloyd Chapman. “We don’t need anti-small business people like him in Congress. I hope his departure serves as a warning to members of Congress who would attempt to pass anti-small business legislation.”

The ASBL began criticizing Congressman Altmire after he introduced a series of policies that would have forced legitimate small businesses to compete head-to-head against big businesses and venture capital syndicates for federal small business contracts, grants and loans.

Chapman blew the whistle on Altmire’s anti-small business policies as early as 2007 and in October 2010 appeared on Fox Business’ Varney & Company to bring national attention to the issue.

During his first year in office, Congressman Altmire introduced H.R. 3567, the Small Business Investment Expansion Act of 2007. H.R 3567 would have drastically changed the definition of a small business. Currently a small business is defined as a firm that is “independently owned.” Congressman Altmire’s bill would have allowed businesses majority owned and controlled by billionaire venture capitalists to be considered small businesses.

Former Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, Congressman Steve Chabot (Rep-OH-1), called the bill "eviscerating," and stated that the bill would "drastically change the long-held standard [under the Small Business Act] that a small business is one that is 'independently owned and operated,” according to AllBusiness.com.

During 2009, Congressman Altmire introduced H.R. 2965, the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act. This legislation was intended to reauthorize a vital small business program; instead Congressman Altmire inserted language into the bill that would have once again drastically changed the definition of a small business to include billionaire venture capitalists.

“Jason Altmire is the epitome of the type of person who should not be in Congress, said Chapman. “He is a coldblooded lobbyist who was willing to push legislation that would have shut down small businesses across the country.”