Veterans Small Business Week is canceled due to the shutdown.

National Veterans Small Business Week Canceled Due to Government Shutdown

On Monday, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that this year’s National Veterans Small Business Week (NVSBW) has been scrapped, a victim of the ongoing federal government shutdown.

The 12th annual NVSBW was supposed to take place from Monday to Friday, celebrating 1.6 million veteran-owned small businesses across the country.

SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler expressed frustration, stating that Senate Democrats have stalled the passage of a straightforward funding bill to reopen the government, leading to the suspension of critical SBA services, including small business lending and events like the NVSBW.

Loeffler’s remarks were directed at Senate Democrats who have blocked funding measures since the government shut down on October 1.

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Loeffler went on to highlight the impact on active-duty military personnel, noting that Democrats are obstructing the salaries of over a million service members. She mentioned that the Trump administration is exploring all avenues to support the military during this crisis.

This year’s NVSBW theme, “Veteran-Owned, Made in America,” was designed to showcase how veteran-owned businesses boost American manufacturing, enhance national security, and contribute over $1 trillion in annual sales to the economy.

Negotiations Stalled Over Healthcare Subsidies

The SBA confirmed that all events related to NVSBW, including training sessions, workshops on accessing capital, and resources for government contracts, have now been canceled. The agency stated, “This cancellation highlights how broadly the shutdown has disrupted services and opportunities for people who have already made tremendous sacrifices.”

Democratic leaders are urging Republicans to start discussions regarding the extension of expiring health insurance subsidies as part of the efforts to get the government back up and running.

According to the White House, Senate Democrats, led by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York, have blocked Republican plans to reopen the government at least 13 times since the shutdown began.