Vice President holds roundtable discussion on small businesses

While the small business lending bill remains stalled in Senate negotiations, the White House continues to make its case in favor of the bill to the American public.

Earlier this week, Vice President Joe Biden met with workers and small business owners at Pete's New Haven Style Apizza in Washington, D.C., as part of a Middle Class Task Force roundtable discussion.

At the event, participants focused on tax policies targeted at helping small business owners and their families. Vice President Biden stressed the importance of the pending bill, saying that it would provide additional tax relief - on top of the administration's proposed $2,000 per year middle-class tax cuts - and access to funds that will help businesses grow.

Vice President Biden also took the time to address the opposition that the bill is facing from Republican lawmakers, calling their arguments "a bunch of malarkey." He additionally promised participants that the White House will "fight like the devil" for middle-class assistance.

Currently, the discussed lending bill is shaping up to be a highly publicized duel between Republicans and Democrats over which party is working harder to boost jobs. A Democratic leadership aide told reporters that House Democrats plan on stepping up efforts to end Republican "obstruction" of the bill, the Hill reports.