| Weekly Update from Sam |
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Dear Friends,
This morning the U.S. Department of Labor reported that 244,000 jobs were created in April while the unemployment rate rose to nine percent. While the job creation is encouraging, we still have a long ways to go as evidenced by the unemployment rate.
The number of Americans who filed unemployment claims for the first time during the final week of April was the highest level since August of 2010, and the underemployment rate, which includes people who’ve stopped looking for work and those settling for part-time jobs, rose to 15.9% from 15.7% the previous month. It is no wonder that these numbers remain high when the Obama administration continues to pursue anti-business policies that strangle small businesses—America’s best job creators.
We must get rid of the taxes, spending and over regulation that are leaving employers with no other choice than to give out pink slips instead of pay checks. House Republicans have passed a plethora of bills to do this, however, the Democrat-led Senate refuses to take any action.
On the House Small Business Committee, we will continue to find ways to remove the burdensome taxes and costly regulations that hamper growth by small firms. We must get government out of the way, and then we will see jobs created and Americans back to work.
Sam Graves
Chairman
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| Latest Committee Action |
| On Thursday, the House Small Business Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access, chaired by Rep. Joe Walsh (R-IL), held a hearing to examine the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) proposed changes to small business size standards for the scientific, technical, and professional service industries. Information from this hearing will be useful as the SBA is in the process of redefining what exactly is a small business. America’s small businesses are the engine of our economy and our best job creators—and any change should make it easier for them to do business, not more burdensome or costly. Click HERE to read more.
Click on video player above to watch Cong. Walsh discuss small business size standards
Next Wednesday, the Small Business Committee will have a full Committee markup on the Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) reauthorization bill. The bipartisan bill, entitled, “Creating Jobs Through Small Business Innovation Act of 2011” (H.R. 1425), must be reauthorized before its May 31st expiration date. Click here for more information.
On Thursday, the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations, chaired by Rep. Mike Coffman, will hold a hearing entitled, Green Isn't Always Gold: Are EPA Regulations Harming Small Businesses? The hearing will examine Environmental Protection Agency regulations that negatively affect small business, most specifically those related to the Clean Air Act and the Resources Conservation and Recovery Act. Click HERE to read more.
Also on Thursday, the House Small Business Committee and the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee will hold a joint hearing on the President’s draft Executive Order to force companies to disclose political donations before being allowed to apply for federal contracts. The hearing will explore whether the President’s proposal will politicize federal contracts, limit first amendment rights, impose additional disclosure and recordkeeping burdens on small business and usurp Congress’s authority. Click here for more information.
Chairman Graves recently sent a letter to President Barack Obama objecting to the proposed Executive Order. Click HERE to read the full text of the letter.
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News From Washington
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On Tuesday, my Republican colleagues and I passed H.R. 1213, which would repeal a costly section of ObamaCare. This repeal language would eliminate the Secretary of Health and Human Services’ ability to have an unlimited tap on the U.S. Treasury to set up state-based exchanges without Congressional approval. I supported the bill because it would continue to strip away the damaging effects of ObamaCare and reduce direct spending by an estimated $14.6 billion over the next 10 years.
On Wednesday, every House Republican voted to end taxpayer funding for abortions. With 16 Democrats joining Republicans, H.R. 3 passed 251-175.
On Thursday, the House passed the “Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act” (H.R. 1230) by a vote of 264-149. The bill would require that the Obama administration stop delaying the sale of offshore oil and gas leases. With gas nearing five dollars a gallon, this is a great step forward in utilizing our natural resources to bring down the price of energy.
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| May 6, 2011 |
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