Press Releases

The House Small Business Committee, led by Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), today highlighted the persistence and entrepreneurial spirit of America’s small manufacturers.

The Committee invited 14 owners and leaders of small firms to tell their stories in Washington, D.C., for a special National Small Business Week hearing.

“These entrepreneurs have great small business success and survival stories,” said Chairman Graves. “Throughout the recession and a very slow recovery, the business climate has been tough on America’s job creators. American manufacturing is still responsible for 11 million jobs with the potential for more, but burdensome U.S. tax and regulatory policies limit their growth. Through persistence and innovation, these small manufacturers have gotten the job done, and we’re pleased to shed light on their stories. They have a right to be proud that their products are ‘Made in the USA’ and to expect common sense policies from Washington.”

The National Small Business Week activities of the Committee Republicans are available HERE.

Materials for the hearing are posted on the House Small Business Committee’s website HERE.

Notable Quotes:

Richard Schwind, Jr., V.P., General Manager, Continental Tool, Smithville, MO, said, “Even though our company survived the most recent recession, we are seriously concerned with the current environment facing small businesses. Does Washington really understand our challenge? Do they sense the concern we have with health care uncertainty, ineffective and costly regulation, the sequester and the indecisiveness regarding the federal budget and tax? We certainly hope so, but the environment remains scary.”

Michael Mittler, President, Mittler Brothers Machine & Tool, Wright City, MO, said, “There is too much uncertainty out there right now and the costs of manufacturing in America are rising, making us less globally competitive. Uncertainty over the health care law, instability in the tax code, ineffective and costly regulations are the biggest problems I face. It seems most of our obstacles come from Washington. Small businesses don’t need a helping hand, they need a sensible partner in government which allows entrepreneurs to build a business and create jobs.”

Brad Braddon, President, Commodore, Bloomfield, NY, said, “Regulations can be a very real barrier to entry. There are so many different regulations that can be very complicated and also costly… An unfortunate aspect of regulations is that they don’t always change as fast as new technologies become available.”

Bruce Broxterman, President, Richards Industries, Cincinnati, OH, said, “We believe that the expansion of government involvement in health care brought on by the implementation of the Affordable Care Act will put further upward pressure on health care costs.  Indeed, just last week the Ohio Department of Insurance announced that preliminary indications point to individual health insurance premiums increasing 88% in 2014 relative to 2013 rates.”