WASHINGTON, DC – Senator Pat Roberts (R-KS) received the “Guardian of Small Business” Award from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) for his voting record during the 111th Congress.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy,” Senator Roberts said. “Now more than ever small businesses and entrepreneurs are essential to our economic recovery as they are America’s job creators. In Kansas, small businesses are vital to the financial well-being of the state's economy. It is an honor to accept this award and I am proud to support efforts to help small businesses grow and expand. I will continue to work to ensure that Congress provides an environment that fosters the growth of small and independent businesses. ”

The National Federation of Independent Business is the leading small business association representing small and independent businesses. During the 2009 and 2010 sessions of Congress, NFIB tracked 11 key small-business votes in the Senate ranging from tax relief to affordable health care, credit cardholder rights, reducing federal debt, campaign contribution reform and regulatory reform.

Senator Roberts is a member of the Senate Finance Committee and a long-time recipient of the “Guardian of Small Business” Award.

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