| Weekly Update from Sam |
Dear Friends,
This week was Global Entrepreneurship Week (GEW), an annual week to celebrate and inspire innovators who launch startups that drive economic growth and create jobs. Launched in 2008 by the Kauffman Foundation, GEW also seeks to highlight initiatives that will help entrepreneurs grow and take advantage of new opportunities.
With so much economic instability around the globe, innovators and business owners are the answer for restoring growth and creating jobs. However, when the government creates more barriers for entrepreneurs through over-regulation, this restoration is thwarted.
Global Entrepreneurship Week is an ideal time to remind lawmakers here in Washington of the importance of making the United States the best place to start and grow their business.
On another note, be sure to support your local small companies on Small Business Saturday, a national initiative that marks the Saturday after Thanksgiving as a day to support local businesses around the country. First there was Black Friday, then Cyber Monday. Now, Small Business Saturday is an event that drives shoppers to support local, independently-owned merchants.
I hope you and yours have a safe and relaxing Thanksgiving.
Sam Graves
Chairman
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Latest Committee Action
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On Thursday, Agriculture, Energy and Trade Subcommittee Chairman Scott Tipton (R-CO) held a hearing to examine the ramifications on farmers and other small businesses of possible regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Specifically, the hearing focused on the duplicative pesticide permit requirement and potentially tougher air quality standards on farm dust. Witnesses from the agriculture community testified about the detriment that could result for their business if the regulations go forward.
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Notable Op-Eds
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Tax Reform Should Include Individual Reform
By Chairman Sam Graves
November 17, 2011
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News From Washington
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On Wednesday, the House passed the National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 (H.R. 822) by a vote of 272-154. This legislation would allow citizens who are authorized to carry a concealed weapon in their home state of residence to also carry in another state that also issues concealed firearm permits. The bill also directs the Comptroller General of the United States to report to Congress on the permitting process of each state that issues concealed carry permits to nonresidents of the state, the number of permits issued and denied to nonresidents (and the basis for the denials), and the effectiveness of these licensing laws in protecting public safety.
Also on Wednesday, the House unanimously agreed (422-0) to the Senate amendment to repeal the 3% withholding requirement for contracting businesses. The bill will now be sent to the President, who is expected to sign it into law.
On Thursday, the House passed the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2012 (H.R. 2112) by a vote of 298-121. This “mini-bus” extends the existing continuing resolution through December 16, 2011 and includes three FY 2012 appropriations bills: Agriculture; Commerce, Justice, Science; and Transportation, Housing and Urban Development.
On Friday, the House voted on a Balanced Budget Amendment (H.J.Res. 2), which would amend the Constitution to require a balanced budget each fiscal year. Although there was bipartisan support for the bill, the House failed to gain the necessary two-thirds vote needed to pass. The vote tally was 261-165.
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| November 18, 2011 |
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| What We're Reading |
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| Member Highlights |
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| Small Biz Resources |
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