Friends:

Upon receiving the latest unemployment data for February, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, “Today is a big day in America.  Only 36,000 people lost their jobs today, which is good.” Now, I don’t know about you, but I believe that 36,000 people losing their jobs last month is unacceptable, plain and simple. 

Americans are dealing with the toughest economy in decades, and they need Washington to get on their side.  But instead of honoring their pledge to make jobs the number one priority in 2010, the President and Majority Leaders continue to push a government takeover of health care, a national energy tax, and other job-killing proposals. 

As Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, I know that our small businesses face a lot of uncertainty that has been brought about by unsustainable Washington policies.  We cannot stabilize our economy or create jobs until Congress stops pushing bad legislation that will add more regulations, increase government intervention and raise taxes.  It is past time for the President to honor his pledge and work with Congress to make jobs our top priority.

Sam Graves

News from the Small Business Committee:
(Please send any Member media activity to Alexandra.Haynes@mail.house.gov)

• Ranking Member Graves (R-MO) issued a statement on the President's latest health care push in St. Louis

• Rep. Todd Akin (R-MO) hosted a health care town hall with over 2200 in attendance during the President’s visit to St. Louis

• Rep. Steve King (R-IA) and Rep. Lynn A. Westmoreland (R-GA) both received The National Taxpayers Union’s Taxpayers’ Friend award

• Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO) issued a statement on President Obama’s efforts to force government-controlled health care on Missourians

• Rep. Mike Coffman (R-CO) announced the formation of the Balanced Budget Amendment Caucus

Upcoming House Small Business Committee hearing:

• Full Committee Hearing, March 17, 2010 at 1:00 pm,entitled,“Business Incubators and Their Role in Job Creation,” 2360 Rayburn House Office Building.

Updates from Washington:
(Please send any Member initiatives related to small business and job creation to Paul.Sass@mail.house.gov)

• On Thursday at the Export-Import Bank’s annual conference in Washington, President Obama pledged to add the Small Business Administration (SBA) to the Export Promotion Cabinet, help small businesses finance more export-related activities, and increase advocacy and coordination among federal agencies.  However, he failed to mention anything about passing the three pending free trade agreements with South Korea, Panama, and Columbia, which would dramatically increase market access and have the most direct impact on U.S. exports.

• On Wednesday, the Senate passed a package of extended benefits on a largely partisan vote, 62-36.  The legislation extends several programs through the end of the year, including unemployment aid, COBRA subsidies for the jobless, the research and development tax credit, and the current rate of Medicare payments to doctors, which were scheduled to see a 21% rate cut.  The total package costs $140 billion and now awaits further action.       

• Representative Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) is seeking co-sponsors for the Hire a Hero Act, a bill to encourage employers to hire members of the Reserve and National Guard by extending the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC).  The WOTC is intended to entice employers to hire groups thought to experience employment problems regardless of general economic conditions.  However, as it stands today, this portion of our nation’s tax code ignores many American heroes who serve our country. Representative Jenkins’ legislation will extend the WOTC to members of our Reserve and National Guard. Small business employers with no more than 100 employees who received at least $5,000 in compensation can qualify for this credit. Contact Emily.Mueller@mail.house.gov for more information. 
 

News and Resources for Small Business Owners:

• The GAO issued a report on the IRS’ implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s tax provisions.

• The Heritage Foundation released a study on how the President’s Budget Raises Taxes and Doubles the National Debt.

• The NFIB published a release on how the Senate's health care tax credit fails small business.

 ###