Captial Briefs: Senate Panel Approves Small-Business Plan

The Senate Small Business Committee, on an 18-0 vote, approved legislation Wednesday to expand the government's Small Business Investment Company program.

Sixty-six banks own small-business investment companies, which provide government-guaranteed loans to small businesses.

The bill also would nearly double to $680 million the amount of money available for direct investment in these ventures. The Small Business Administration oversees the program.

The legislation also would raise the capital requirement for newly created small-business investment companies.

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