Snowe signals opposition to small-business bill

Sen. Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) on Thursday signaled that she will not support the small-business jobs bill that she originally championed because Democratic leaders will not allow Republicans to offer amendments to the bill. 

“That’s all we ask, a few amendments,” she said. 

Snowe also said that she could not support the amendment creating a $30 billion lending pool that would eventually go to small businesses. 

“I do think it’s important that this facility is not included in the overall legislation,” she said, claiming that the pool is an extension of the TARP program.

The senator supports several aspects of the bill, like extending Small Business Administration loans, as well as tax relief for small businesses.