While at the sandwich shop, the president and Small Business Administrator Karen Mills held a discussion with business owners, including Taylor Gourmet founders Casey Patten and David Mazza and Kathy Rachels, president of Yes! Organic Markets, according to a report by NBC 4 Washington.

What’s going ‘on’:

Ex-Im Bank OK’d by Senate: The Senate voted 78-20 on Tuesday to reauthorize the United States Export-Import Bank for three years and expand its authority to make loans to American exporters. The House already agreed to the same measure by a similarly broad 330-to-93 vote, largely spurred by the backing of business and labor groups.

What’s going ‘on’:

Lightsquared files for bankruptcy: The wireless networking firm filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Monday after last-ditch negotiations concerning leadership of the company failed. Most recently, Lightsquared listed assets of $4.48 billion and debt of $2.29 billion, and Philip Falcone and his management team will reportedly stay in place.

What’s going ‘on’:

Minority contracts slip: Government contracts to minority-owned small businesses declined last fiscal year for the first time in a decade, dropping at an even faster pace than all contracts, which dipped 1 percent during the year. Black-owned firms took the biggest hit, dropping 8 percent in total contract value to $7.12 billion.

Current staffing levels are at a record low, and recent employment forecasts reveal that staffing levels will remain low for the foreseeable future. Nonetheless, customers continue to demand exceptional service and products at a competitive price. To remain profitable, businesses need employees to have sharp skills to help them deliver the levels of excellence required by their customers at the lowest cost. 

What’s going ‘on’:

U.S. trade deficit widens: Despite a solid gain in exports, the country’s trade deficit grew in March at the fastest pace in nearly a year to $51.8 billion, according to a report released Thursday by the Commerce Department. Overall, imports rose 5.2 percent on increased demand for foreign oil, cars, cell phones and clothes.

What’s going ‘on’:

Postal Service cuts hours, not offices: The United States Postal Service has abandoned plans to close thousands of post offices and will instead reduce hours at most of its rural outposts, according to an announcement Wednesday. The most drastic changes will see window hours cut from the current eight to as few as two a day, and the plan is expected to save the agency $500 million per year.

What’s going ‘on’:

Small business lending drops: The latest Biz2Credit Small Business Lending Index shows that loan approvals to small firms by the nation’s largest banks dropped to 10.6 percent last month from 10.9 percent the month prior. Compared to this time last year, the dip is even more substantial, down from an approval rate of 11.6 percent in March 2011.

What’s going ‘on’:

Small business optimism edges higher: The National Federation of Independent Business’s monthly optimism index gained 2 points in April, settling at 94.5, the highest reading since December 2007. The sub-index of expected business conditions for the next three months also increased slightly in April.

LivingSocial and Chase have teamed up with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to launch Mission: Small Business, which will award $250,000 grants to each of up to a dozen small firms across the country. Business owners with fewer than a hundred employees who have been in business for at least two years can apply online by explaining how they would use the grants and how their companies play an important role in their respective communities.

What’s going ‘on’:

HSBC lawmakers introduce small business trade bills: House Republicans Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Scott Tipton (R-Co.) on Monday introduced a pair of bills intended to help small firms break into the international trade marketplace. The Export Coordination Act of 2012 would require state and federal agencies to work more closely together to improve the export process for small companies, while the Transparent Rules Allow Direct Exporting (TRADE) for Small Businesses and Jobs Act would create a one-stop source to monitor changes in foreign regulations and trade barriers.