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COLUMBIA, MO. -- Sen. Kit Bond spent some time in Columbia Wednesday to speak at a women's small business conference.

Bond talked about Washington’s role in helping small business survive during these tough economic times.

He pointed a finger at congress and the current administration for not doing enough to keep incentives going for small businesses.

"Small businesses are telling me they can't get credit because of the credit crisis,” Bond said. “They're worried about the costs that are coming from Washington. These are burdens Washington is putting on them rather than help that they're providing to them."

Bond said he continues to oppose federal health care law and the financial reform bill saying they too hurt small businesses.

During the conference, mid-Missouri women business owners networked and discussed ways to bring in new customers.