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Ivanka Trump Takes Part In Pittsburgh Small Business Roundtable

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MT. LEBANON (KDKA) - The Executive Building in Mt. Lebanon was the site for a brief visit by Ivanka Trump who was warmly welcomed by Republican congressional candidate Rick Saccone.

It was billed as a Small Business Roundtable featuring Small Business Administrator Linda McMahon and a half dozen small business owners, but local Republican lawmakers like PA Sens. Randy Vulakovich and Guy Reschenthaler were included.

Still, all eyes were on the president's daughter.

"I have a very, special, special guest with me this morning," said McMahon. "Ivanka is such an incredible supporter of small businesses."

Ivanka touted the Trump administration's pro-business agenda.

"We want to create a climate that will enable your businesses to thrive," she told the small business owners. "It's your grit, your perseverence, the hard work you put in every day, the investment you make in your workforce that ultimately determines if you succeed or don't succeed. We want to create a level playing field."

That means, says Trump, fewer federal regulations.

"Last year, for each regulation created, 22 were eliminated at the federal government level. We're just getting started at that," she said.

And more money through a tax cut to working families.

"We were very conscientious of the personal side of the ledger as well -- working to double the standard family deduction, working to double the child tax credit, working to maintain the child independent tax credit, the adoption credit, the earned income tax credit, so really thinking about working families."

And, no surprise, she pushed the growth of female-run businesses.

"I'm very passionate about. female-led businesses are our fastest growing group of entrepreneurs."

Now it's clear the president's daughter is one of his best salespersons -- especially when it comes to business and the role of women.

She also spent time promoting better child care arrangements for working families -- and met with children at the Potomac Mineral Group that hosted the event.

But this was also a political visit to boost Republican Rick Saccone in Democrat Conor Lamb's hometown.

Lamb lives less than a mile from where Ivanka was on Tuesday.

That special congressional election is four weeks from today.

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