Friends:

In addition to the environmental damage, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico threatens countless small businesses throughout the coastal region.  Individuals in a range of fields, from fishermen and shrimpers to hoteliers and workers in the tourism industry, face an uphill battle to manage the economic effects of the spill.

With the livelihoods of millions at stake, our number one priority must be to immediately clean up the oil and mitigate the damage.  We must also launch a full investigation into the exact causes of the spill to ensure something like this cannot occur in the future.

Offshore drilling for oil and natural gas can be a valuable part of a comprehensive American energy plan.  However, steps must be taken to ensure any drilling is conducted in an environmentally responsible manner.  My Republican colleagues and I maintain our support for a common sense energy policy that incorporates safe, clean use of all our domestic energy resources, including wind and solar power, renewable fuels, nuclear power, and expanded development of American fossil fuels.   Not only will such a plan put us on the path toward energy independence, it will also bolster our economy and create thousands of jobs, right here at home.

Sam Graves

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

• House Small Business Committee Republicans launched a NEW WEBSITE on Monday – be sure to visit http://republicans.smbiz.house.gov and explore our new features!

• Ranking Member Graves’ op-ed, "New Health Care Law Brings Heartburn for Small Businesses," has been published in KC Small Business Magazine.

• Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) will host two job fairs in Texas.

• Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-FL) will hold a town hall in Palmetto, Florida to discuss jobs, the economy, and health care.

House Small Business Committee Action

• On Wednesday, May 5th, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing entitled, “Tax Initiatives that Promote Small Business Growth.” Read more about the hearing and learn what was discussed here.

Click here to watch video footage of the trade hearing and see Ranking Member Graves’ opening statement.

• On Wednesday, May 12th, the House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing entitled, “Small Businesses and Broadband: An Engine for Economic Growth and Job Creation.”  More information about this hearing will be posted here as the date nears.

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

• On Thursday, the House passed H.R. 5019, the Home Star Energy Retrofit Act of 2010, by a vote of 246 to 161.  The legislation would authorize a $6 billion “Cash for Caulkers” rebate program for homeowners making weatherization upgrades.  Concerns were raised over the cost of the bill, its implementation, and the elimination of certain qualified technologies from the legislation’s list of certified upgrades.  Republicans successfully passed a motion to recommit that added several provisions to the bill, including a mandate that would end the program if it adds to our federal deficit.    

• SBA Administrator Karen Mills announced that the SBA will be making low-interest loans available to Louisiana Gulf Coast small businesses affected by the oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico. 

• On Friday, the U.S. Labor Department released the latest unemployment report for April.  The report indicates that unemployment rose from 9.7% in March to 9.9% in April. 

 News and Resources for Small Business Owners:

• The SBA and Google launched the 'Tools for Online Success' Partnership to help small business owners effectively incorporate technology into their business plans.

• The Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council sent a letter to Members of Congress endorsing the Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act (H.R. 5141).  The bill would repeal Section 9006 of the new health care law that imposes a burdensome and costly reporting requirement on small business owners.

• The Kauffman Foundation released its second quarterly "Economic Outlook."

• The Heritage Foundation published “Obamacare: Impact on Businesses.”