Lawmakers take to social media to promote ‘Small Business Saturday’

It’s beginning to look a lot like many members of Congress are starting their Christmas shopping, and urging others to do the same by shopping local on “Small Business Saturday.”

“Think small,” urged Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) in a tweet. The Senate majority leader, along with many other lawmakers, used Twitter and Facebook to urge supporters to get out and shop at neighborhood businesses on Saturday, calling small business growth the “backbone” of the economic recovery.

Today, I hope Nevadans decide to “think small,” support local merchants, shop owners, & entrepreneurs #SmallBizSat

— Senator Harry Reid (@SenatorReid) November 24, 2012

The White House also promoted shopping “small” at small businesses this weekend.

But shopping is a cause that seems to unite both parties, and lawmakers from both sides of the aisle recommended it as a post-Thanksgiving activity. Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.) both asked followers to digitally share their shopping expeditions.

Today is Small Business Saturday. Please share your shopping photos with me by posting them on #Facebook and tagging me in them #SmallBizSat

— Rep. Paul Gosar, DDS (@RepGosar) November 24, 2012

Ben- #SmallBizSat is here great time to support local independently owned #smallbiz. Tweet a picture of your favorite small biz.

— Senator Ben Cardin (@SenatorCardin) November 24, 2012

Several members of Congress tweeted that they can be spotted “shopping local” in person on Saturday.

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) tweeted his plans, and fellow Democratic Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (Fla.) shared that she enjoyed a “mall-free Black Friday” at some small local shops the day before.

.@keithellison I did the same thing yesterday! Had girls shopping day w/ my little one! A mall-free Black Friday! #shoplocal #SmallBizSat

— D Wasserman Schultz (@DWStweets) November 24, 2012

Rep. Frank Pallone (D) and Sen. Robert Menendez (D), who both represent New Jersey, a state still recovering from Hurricane Sandy, said shopping on Small Business Saturday is a way to support recovery efforts.

Shop locally on Small Business Saturday to support small businesses that help their communities, particularly after #sandy.

— Rep. Frank Pallone (@FrankPallone) November 24, 2012

We should all try to #ShopLocal, especially now, to help #SmallBiz hurting from #Sandy get back on their feet. #SmallBizSat

— Sen. Robert Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) November 23, 2012