Black lawmakers demand access to TARP funds

March 30, 2009, 9 p.m. - Congressional Black Caucus today told Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke that they want the Obama Administration to do more to advocate on behalf of minority- and women- owned businesses.

The group, lead by CBC Chairwoman Barbara Lee, want guaranteed access to the Troubled Asset Relief Program. Largely white-owned firms have received bailout money.

Todays discussions are a critical step in addressing barriers faced by minority and women-owned business enterprises to participate in the TARP and TALF programs," said the California Democrat. "This mornings discussions provided a useful forum on the structure of the programs and access issues faced by minority and women-owned businesses.

"Members of the Congressional Black Caucus will remain actively engaged and follow up to hold the private sector recipients accountable and to ensure that government is responsive to and inclusive of all tax-paying Americans, said Rep.Greg Meeks.

Bernanke and other key government officials met with the standing room only crowd of 300 women and minority financial services professionals, which included accountants, attorneys, consultants, financial advisors and asset managers, and real estate brokers.