[Similar letters sent to the Honorable Olympia J. Snowe, the Honorable Tom Coburn, the 
Honorable Nydia M. Velazquez and the Honorable Steve Chabot.]

February 7, 2008

The Honorable John F. Kerry
Chairman
Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
United State Senate
Washington, DC 20510

Re: Tax and Regulatory Study on Barriers to Veteran Business Owners

Dear Mr. Chairman: 

Thank you for your letter dated January 30, 2008, requesting a study on the various 
federal tax and regulatory barriers hindering veterans in their efforts to become 
entrepreneurs and to sustain their businesses.  As you know, the Office of Advocacy is an 
independent office, so this response and our work to honor your request do not 
necessarily reflect the views of Small Business Administration (SBA) or the 
Administration.  This letter was not circulated to the Office of Management and Budget 
(OMB) for comment.

For several years, the Office of Advocacy has worked diligently to examine issues of 
relevance to the veteran community.  The latest issue of The Small Business Economy: A 
Report to the President features a chapter on the characteristics of veteran business 
owners, which utilized data from the 2002 Survey of Business Owners produced by the 
U.S. Census Bureau.  We have conducted other research of note, which can be found at 
http://www.sba.gov/advo/research/veterans.html.  Last fall, we contracted for a study that 
will assess the impact to small businesses when reservists are called up to active duty.  
The study you requested will add to our understanding of veteran entrepreneurship and 
the timeline you requested (18 months) allows for us to meet all legal requirements that 
accompany our research projects.

My office will make sure that you are kept apprised of our progress on this important 
project.  Please do not hesitate to contact me or my office’s Chief Economist and Director 
of Economic Research, Chad Moutray, if you have any further questions about the Office 
of Advocacy’s research process.  Dr. Moutray may be reached directly at (202) 205-6973 
or by email at chad.moutray@sba.gov.

Sincerely,

Thomas M. Sullivan 
Chief Counsel for Advocacy