PETALUMA, Calif., March 31, 2006 /PRNewswire/ In a statement dated March 30, 2006, Senator Tom Coburn (R-OK) accused the American Small Business League of being "dishonest and unethical" for bringing attention to a scheduled hearing of the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management scheduled for April 6, 2006 that was called to "examine the effectiveness of the SBA." Coburn accused the trade group of pre-empting any announcement of the hearing, even though the hearing would be held the following week.

"If this hearing is merely to examine the effectiveness of the Small Business Administration, why would Senator Coburn call a French, Anti-American Small Business activist to testify?," Chapman questioned. "Veronique de Rugy is a virulent, anti-small business radical. She has persistently proclaimed that all Federal programs for small businesses, women, minority and disabled veteran-owned firms should be eliminated," Chapman stated. "It's common knowledge in Washington that this is the third time Republicans have tried to end Federal small business programs."

Chapman added, "I'm sure the taxpayers in Oklahoma would much prefer that Senator Coburn focus his valuable time on reviewing what happened to the $9 billion in cash that went missing in Iraq. This would be a more appropriate topic for the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management–certainly not to listen to the opinions of a French, anti-small business activist."

American Small Business League President and founder Lloyd Chapman says that the ASBL's track record and reputation as advocate for small business are beyond question. For example, Chapman is the individual who, in 2003, brought attention to the fact that billions of dollars in small business contracts are actually being awarded to some of the largest companies in the world. A number of subsequent government reports confirmed this, all stemming from the original investigation he prompted. Government Accountability Office Sourcing & Acquisition Director, David Cooper, acknowledged that the GAO's investigation was based on information Chapman provided.

About the ASBL
The American Small Business League was formed to promote and advocate policies that provide the greatest opportunity for small businesses - the 98% of U.S. companies with less than 100 employees. The ASBL is founded on the principle that small businesses, the backbone of a vital American economy, should receive the fair treatment promised by the Small Business Act of 1953. Representing small businesses in all fields and industries throughout the United States, the ASBL monitors existing policies and proposed policy changes by the Small Business Administration and other federal agencies that affect its members.

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