WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX) led a full Committee on Small Business hearing titled “Holding the SBA Accountable: Testimony from Small Business Administrator Guzman.” Chairman Williams issued the following statement regarding today’s hearing.

“Ensuring that the SBA is working for Main Street America has been one of the Committee’s top priorities this Congress,” said Chairman Williams. “Unfortunately, while the Biden-Harris Administration’s policies have been devastating small businesses, the SBA has failed to stand up for them. Instead, we have seen an SBA that is more focused on pursuing partisan games and stonewalling congressional oversight. Today’s hearing with Administrator Guzman was a step towards better oversight, but we are still left with many concerns that the SBA isn’t truly focused on its mission.”

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Watch the full hearing here.

Below are some key excerpts from today’s hearing:

Chairman Williams: “The nonpartisan SBA Office of Advocacy has been commenting on a host of regulations coming out that have failed to adhere to the Regulatory Flexibility Act's requirements to take small business interest into account. Our committee conducted a whole investigation on the matter, and last week we passed seven bills that would amplify small business voices throughout the rulemaking process. 52 organizations representing millions of small businesses endorse the legislation we passed as a result of our findings. So a question to you Ms. Guzman if you could have your answers short and precise, since you're supposed to be representing the interests of small businesses have you warned the white House about all the damage, the regulations you're doing to the struggling small businesses in America?” Administrator Guzman: “Ensuring regulations are not burdensome is a priority for the SBA. We continue to work diligently through our Office of Advocacy, which is independent, of course, but as well our office of the National Ombudsman, which I've relaunched, I reinstated our regulatory fairness boards to ensure that we are collecting those views from small businesses and making sure they're amplified across all agencies that the National Ombudsman touches.”

Rep. Van Duyne: “So we had requested a draft of the strategic plan that's related to the MOU, the executive order for the MOU. Why hasn't the SBA produced this document to us when all interim and final strategic plans were specifically named in our subpoena? And will you commit to giving us this document by the end of the week?” Administrator Guzman: “I'll follow up with my team on that specific document.” Rep. Van Duyne: “We hear this, but do you have any idea why we were not provided a copy of the strategic plan?” Administrator Guzman: “I don't have specifics on the strategic plan. I know we've been provided, we've provided you with an MOU.” Rep. Van Duyne: “You said you gave us 1600 pages. Then you gave us an additional 2,000 pages last night. Are we going to get the strategic plan? And if we haven't gotten it in the 2,000 pages, which it doesn't look like we have, will be able to get it by the end of the week?” Administrator Guzman: “I'm not familiar with that specific request, so I'll have to follow up with my team.”  

Rep. Alford: “So at these seminars, helping businesses start or maintain their businesses, providing capital and counseling, there are no cards given out for voter registration?” Administrator Guzman: “No, as we'd have no means to collect that. That is on the state agencies.” Rep. Alford: “And it's your testimony that with this link on your website. How long has it been on your website?” Administrator Guzman: “Six weeks.” Rep. Alford: “Six weeks and zero persons have registered.” Administrator Guzman: “As a result of the link? Correct, zero persons have registered.” Rep. Alford: “And how do you know that?” Administrator Guzman: “I received a report from my team.”  Rep. Alford: “And how many states do you have this memorandum of understanding with to do this?” Administrator Guzman: “To date, we have only entered into one MOU. We have current plans to expand to others.” Rep. Alford: “For how many?” Administrator Guzman: “We've been reaching out to dozens of states, to try to ensure that they are part of this.” Rep. Alford: “Why would they do it if it’s not registering any voters?” Administrator Guzman: “Well, I mean, clearly there's still an interest in making sure that small businesses, it's only been up six weeks, but I'm sure there's still an interest in making sure small businesses have the information if that's their preference.”

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