Throughout this series, we have explored my proposals to strengthen and expand the Small Business Administration—to secure the American Dream of ownership and opportunity. In Part I, we focused on the Hometown Economy, the microbusinesses with fewer than 20 employees that serve as the lifeblood of our communities and create jobs. We addressed the capital gap that starves these businesses of funding and proposed doubling the microloan cap to $100,000 alongside a new Main Street Direct Lending authority.

A healthy economy supports businesses at every stage. Last week, we addressed the needs of microbusinesses—of mom and pop shops. This week, we will explore the middle-market. The first challenge for middle-market companies is a legal and financial “no-man’s land.” They are often too large for traditional micro-lending and community banks, but too small to access public capital markets. 

I believe in the American Dream—ownership, independence, and opportunity. I want to empower more Americans to start a small business and rebuild Main Street because small businesses create the jobs our communities rely on. Because I want to rebuild Main Street, I support expanding the Small Business Administration, promoting entrepreneurship, and encouraging more Americans to own their future. And I will show you why and how in a three-part series. 

Today marks five years since an attempted insurrection, the moment Democracy began to unravel. But Donald Trump invoked his power to pardon criminals and pardoned the January Sixth Insurrectionists. Pardons are one of the most important powers presidents have, a great responsibility, and Donald Trump is using them to pardon allies, sycophants, insurrectionists, and fraudsters.

The primary is fast approaching, and now is our moment. Let’s channel our New Year's energy into real action. This is our year to step up, push harder, and show what we’re made of. Think: New Year. New You. New Congress.

Have you or someone you know ever been denied a medical procedure or course of treatment by your insurance company? If you answered yes, you are not alone.

Here’s what I know to be true. I pay less at the gas pump, and I am grateful for that—truly. I also pay more for groceries. A lot more. We thrift 95% of our clothes and buy used/refurbished to save money. I pay more for homeowner’s insurance, and for my property taxes. I pay more for most things I buy. I have out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. And I am not alone—most Americans can agree that affordability is one of the single most pressing issues in society today.

Today, GEO Group and CoreCivic, two of the largest private prison companies, control half of the private prisons in the U.S. and generate billions in annual revenue. These companies profit from housing those convicted of crimes—people’s uncles, fathers, mothers, and daughters. These companies benefit from imprisoning American citizens. And it comes at a steep cost. Privately run prisons cut corners.