This article first appeared on the PayPal Forward blog site. Written by James Barrese, Chief Technology Officer, PayPal.

David London, Senior Director of Government Relations for eBay Inc., congratulates Senate Pro Tem, Kevin de León, at the announcement of the climate leadership package.

Representatives from Left; Devin Whitney, eBay Inc.; Assemblymember Jimmy Gomez, Assemblymember Evan Low; Assemblymember Autumn Burke; Emily Lam, SVLG; and Alex Kobayashi, Office of Assemblymember Kansen Chu.

With 95 percent of consumers living outside the United States, Internet enabled small businesses have started to focus on international markets to  grow their business. Whether your business has been exporting for years or is just starting to think about expanding into foreign markets, the federal government offers a number of resources for small businesses that may interest you.

Last week, Congressman Paul Ryan (R-WI), Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee discussed the importance of trade during his remarks at the Washington International Trade Association. As Chairman of the House Ways & Means Committee, Paul has jurisdiction over international trade issues and legislation. “I think trade is absolutely vital—because our jobs depend on it. Twenty years ago, trade supported one out of every ten of our jobs. Now it’s one out of every five,” said Ryan. “This is our future.

Yesterday, Thomas Wheeler, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) announced a Net Neutrality proposal based on Title II of the Telecommunications Act that is aimed at protecting all Internet access services, including wireless broadband Internet access services, from discrimination and the creation of toll lane-type “paid prioritization”. eBay Inc. made the following statement in response to the Chairman’s announcement:

California Assembly Republican Caucus Members

eBay Inc. was excited to host the 28 members of the California Assembly Republican Caucus at headquarters last week, introducing them to the latest eBay Inc. innovations and how they have changed the landscape, particularly for small- and medium-sized businesses in each of their districts.

Yesterday, Washington small business owner, Steve Douge, participated in a trade panel on Capitol Hill. The event, hosted by the Internet Association, was entitled “The Internet & Global Trade”. In attendance were Congressional staffers, industry representatives and small business trade advocates. The goal of the event was to highlight the opportunities the Internet has created for U.S. small businesses to participate in the global marketplace.