Washington, D.C.— Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee, convened a panel of business owners and experts to examine “confessions of judgment” and how they are being used to victimize small firms. A “confession of judgment” is an arcane legal device, whereby a borrower accepts an eventual judgment of liability against them. By signing a confession o... Read more »
Reliable and affordable high-speed broadband connections are a vital aspect of doing business in our day and age. Sadly, at least 25 million Americans still lack access to high-speed Internet—many of which live in remote parts of our country. We all realize it is more difficult and expensive to build out broadband networks in these areas but that’s no excuse to leave them behind. To do so results ... Read more »
Washington, D.C.— Today, Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), Chairman of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure held a hearing focused on improving broadband mapping in rural areas across the country. The hearing featured testimony from rural broadband carriers on the challenges that they face, and ways broadband mapping can be improved going forward. “Accurate broadband cov... Read more »
One of the most important goals of this Subcommittee is to assure that small businesses are equipped with the tools they need to grow, create new jobs, and generate wealth in their communities. No matter where a business decides to set up shop, whether it’s in the middle of a large metropolis, or on main street in a rural town, every business needs a plan. From determining a location, to finding w... Read more »
Washington, D.C.—House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) has introduced H.R. 3372, the Small Business Contracting Credit Act of 2019, a bill to incentivize contracting opportunities for small businesses in Puerto Rico. As the Island continues to reel from the devastation of Hurricanes Irma and Maria, Velázquez’s bill would increase economic opportunity by spurring inves... Read more »
Today we are here to draw what I believe is needed attention to an industry that is rapidly evolving. As more and more states take steps to bring cannabis to commerce, we are seeing small businesses at the forefront of this expanding industry. As the only House Committee dedicated solely to the needs of small firms, it is important for us to be shedding light on the challenges these small entities... Read more »
Washington, D.C.— Today, the House Committee on Small Business under Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) held its first ever hearing into the role of small businesses in the legal cannabis sector. Despite being federally prohibited, medical cannabis use is legal in a majority of states, while nearly a dozen states have legalized recreational use for adults. “As more and more states take steps to ... Read more »
Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) issued the following statement as small businesses shared their concerns over President Trump’s trade war with China in written comments and during hearings before the Office of the United States Trade Representative: “Once again, small businesses are telling this Administration what we have been hearing s... Read more »
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 »
