Today, over 40 million Americans are burdened by student loans, and as a nation, mounting student debt now stands at nearly $1.5 trillion. Over the past 30 years, the cost of higher education at public four-year institutions has skyrocketed, increasing by 213 percent from 1988. So, as we begin this hearing—let us acknowledge that this is nothing short of a national crisis.Back home in New York, I’... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee convened a panel of medical doctors, professionals, and students who shared their stories on how skyrocketing student debt has hurt their ability to start or work at a small medical practice. “The level of student debt saddling our young people is nothing short of a national crisis and it’s hu... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Today, Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), Chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, joined full Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), and five additional members of the Committee in writing to the Acting Administrator and General Counsel of the Small Business Administration (SBA), seeking clarity surrounding an SBA policy that makes direct an... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Today, the House Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship under Chairwoman Abby Finkenauer (D-IA) held a hearing focused on the current state of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program (STEP). Members had the opportunity to hear from small business owners and economic development professionals regar... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement after the Labor Department released its May jobs statement, in which 75,000 jobs were added to the economy, well below average: “As today’s drastically underperforming jobs report warns, the economic uncertainty fueled by this Administration’s erratic policies and rhetoric is... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee sent a letter to Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos in response to concerning reports that Amazon plans to purge wholesale orders from small businesses selling under $10 million in products. “While I commend the effort taken by Amazon over the course of nearly two decades to incorporate small businesses in... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Yesterday, Rep. Jason Crow (D-CO) Chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Innovation and Workforce Development gathered business owners, labor experts, and industry representatives to discuss ways private industry and the government can collaborate to ensure that the labor force has the training necessary to meet the skill demands of the economy now and in the future. “Thi... Read More »
Since the recession ended in 2009, our economy has experienced over a decade of economic expansion, and despite a low unemployment rate we know that challenges remain. Small employers are having an increasingly hard time finding skilled and qualified workers. In fact, for over a year, more jobs have been available in the economy than people actively seeking them out. Two factors seem to be driving... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement in honor of June as LGBTQ Pride Month. “In communities across this country, LGBTQ Americans are our neighbors, friends, family, and proud small business owners. They enrich our Main Streets, fuel our economy, and defy the limits of innovation. This Pride Month, it’s clear tha... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement in honor of Immigrant Heritage Month: “As the Trump Administration seeks to erase the role of immigrants in the great American story, we must counter such fear mongering with the truth. Without the contributions of waves of immigrants throughout American history, our economy ... Read More »
Access to a robust broadband connection is critical for small businesses and the communities they serve. However, 25 million Americans still lack access to high-speed Internet. Many of these Americans reside in rural parts of the country where it is more difficult and expensive to build out broadband networks. In fact, 58% of rural Americans believe that lack of access to high-speed internet is a ... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement after President Trump proposed a 5 percent tariff on all Mexican goods: “As the President has yet again failed to understand—increasing tariffs means placing unnecessary taxes on the backs of American workers and small businesses. Furthermore, using tariffs to push this Admin... Read More »
Washington, D.C.— Yesterday, the House Small Business Committee heard from small business owners and immigration policy experts on the challenges that small firms face meeting their labor needs and the potential solutions offered by immigrant labor. The hearing allowed Committee members to examine the current immigration system and look for ways that immigration reform could work to the benefit of... Read More »
Washington, D.C.—Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement after the House passed the SECURE Act: “Retirement security is one of the most important issues facing Americans today. Retirement benefits not only provide future financial security for business owners and employees, but also allow entrepreneurs the ability to attract and r... Read More »
Washington, D.C.—Today House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) spoke outside the Capitol alongside small business owners and her fellow committee members to draw attention to the consequences of the President’s trade war with China on America’s small businesses. Below are her remarks, as prepared for delivery: “We are here today because America’s small business are hurt... Read More »
