WASHINGTON (AP) -- Congress is about to send President Barack Obama a long-delayed bill that loosens credit for small businesses and gives them other incentives to expand and hire new workers.
The legislation establishes a $30 billion government fund to help Main Street banks lend to credit-starved small businesses. It also cuts their taxes and boosts Small Business Administration loan programs.
But the measure has received only tepid support from small businesses suffering in the slow economic recovery, and the bill's programs are unlikely to give the economy a quick jolt.
The vote would send the measure to Obama, giving him and his Democratic allies on Capitol Hill a much-sought, but minor, victory.
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