| Weekly Update from Sam |
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Dear Friends:
Last week, the U.S. Department of Labor released its latest unemployment report for February. The slightly improved numbers were a welcome sight after two years of rates at or above 9%, but we still have a long way to go before businesses truly regain the confidence needed to expand and create jobs. As we digest these Labor statistics, let us not forget the startling underemployment rate of 15.9%, which includes part-time workers and those who’ve given up looking for work.
House Republicans are committed to erasing economic uncertainty by embracing fiscal responsibility, less government regulation and tax relief for our job creators so that our families can get back to work. As our new House majority strives to remove barriers for job creation in this 112th Congress, we hope that the Senate majority and President will join us.
Yesterday, I joined three other House Republican Committee Chairmen in sending a letter to President Obama urging him to reduce costly government regulations that burden American businesses and restrict economic growth. Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Oversight Chairman Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), and Energy and Commerce Chairman Fred Upton (R-Mich.) signed the letter with me.
According to the Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, federal regulations cost our economy $1.75 trillion per year. The Obama Administration’s December 2010 report on federal regulations listed 4,225 regulatory actions under development by federal agencies. Uncertainty about the cost of these upcoming regulations and the reasons devoted to compliance discourages employers from hiring new employees and expanding their businesses. CLICK HERE to read the full letter.
In addition, I wrote an op-ed on job creation that appeared in The Hill newspaper on Wednesday. CLICK HERE to read it.
Sam Graves
Chairman
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| Latest Committee Action |
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On Wednesday, March 2nd, the House Small Business Committee held a full committee hearing on the Small Business Administration’s FY 2012 Budget. The purpose of the hearing was to examine the FY 2012 budget request for the Small Business Administration. During the hearing, the Committee heard testimony from The Honorable Karen Mills, Administrator of the United States Small Business Administration. The information garnered at this hearing will be utilized in the Committee’s development of views and estimates that will be submitted to the House Budget Committee.
Next Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 1:00 pm, the House Small Business Committee will hold a Full Committee markup on the Committee Views and Estimates on the Small Business Administration’s FY 2012 Budget. The markup will take place in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
On Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 1:00 pm, the House Small Business Committee will hold a hearing entitled, "Spurring Innovation and Job Creation: The SBIR Program." The hearing marks the beginning of the Committee’s work to reauthorize the SBIR program. Last fully reauthorized in 2000, the SBIR program is an effective way to jump-start entrepreneurs, grow our economy, and create jobs. The hearing will provide members with an opportunity to learn more about this important program and will be the first in a series of Committee meetings aimed at fully examining the SBIR program before introducing reauthorizing legislation.
To learn more about these events, CLICK HERE.
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| New Facebook Page |
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If you would like to stay up-to-date on the latest Small Business Committee news, follow us on Twitter @SmallBizGOP . I’m also pleased to announce the launch of our new Facebook page. You can follow what we’re doing on Facebook by CLICKING HERE.
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| March 11, 2011 |
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| What We're Reading |
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| Member Highlights |
- Graves Welcomes New Committee Member Rep. Lou Barletta (R-PA)
- Coffman Demands Action on China’s Illegal Trade Practices
- Herrera-Beutler Proposes Legislation to Cut Salary for Congress, White House
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| Small Biz Resources |
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