On September 18, 2012 twelve freshman members of the House of Representatives signed a letter addressed to the leaders of Congress urging the extension of the Federal New Markets Tax Program which expired on Dec. 31, 2011. The authors of the letter urged that the New Markets Tax Credit Program is a critical tool for financing small businesses and creating jobs. Proposed Senate Bill 3531 provides for a two year extension of the New Markets Tax Credit Program at $3.5 billion of allocation per year. The President had requested an extension of the New Markets Tax Credit Progam at $5 billion a year wth a specific set aside for super markets in food deserts.