WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, released the following statement on the nomination of Maria Contreras-Sweet to be the next Administrator of the Small Business Administration:

“Small businesses create jobs.  Across Maryland, small business owners rely on the SBA, which has been in need of leadership for too long. As a member of the Senate Small Business Committee, I look forward to holding a timely and open hearing on the important nomination of Maria Contreras-Sweet to be the next SBA Administrator.  I look forward to discussing her vision for promoting job growth and economic expansion through the continued success of our small businesses. I particularly am concerned about how we can provide better access to credit for qualified small businesses and entrepreneurs; better level the playing field for women-owned, minority owned and veteran-owned businesses; and improve federal agencies’ compliance with meeting small business set-aside goals.”