| Weekly Update from Sam |
| Dear Friends,
On November 14th, the nonpartisan Government Accounting Office (GAO) released a report – requested by the Committee – that showed that Obamacare’s Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is falling far short of all expectations.
Enrollment within the state-operated SHOPs was significantly lower than expected, a mere 76,000 in total, and one state, Mississippi, reported just one participant. The federal government did not release data for the federally-operated SHOP, which covers 30-plus states, but the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) admitted to GAO that they are experiencing the same trend with similarly low enrollment numbers. This CNBC report, small businesses 'aren't clamoring' for enrollment, points to high costs and the increasingly tough choices that Obamacare’s penalties and requirements are forcing on them.
Unfortunately, it appears that small businesses were an afterthought in Obamacare. In 2015, the administration must change course and make small businesses more of a priority.
Sincerely,
Sam Graves
Chairman
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Latest Committee Action
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| On November 14th, Chairman Graves urged the Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw the flawed “Waters of the United States” rule that expands the reach of the Clean Water Act, specifying the agencies’ failure to examine the impacts of the proposal on small entities – a clear requirement of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. Instead, the agencies certified the proposed rule as one that will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Graves disagreed with the “arbitrary and capricious rulemaking” in a comment letter to both agencies, and the Committee’s May 29 hearing exposed the rule’s harmful impact on small businesses. |
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News from Washington
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On Wednesday, the House passed the EPA Science Advisory Board Reform Act (H.R. 1422) and the Secret Science Reform Act (H.R. 4012). These common sense bills would help prevent unnecessary regulations by reforming how the Environmental Protection Agency selects its expert advisors, expanding transparency requirements, and requiring more disclosure of the basis for scientific findings that lead to regulations.
On Thursday, the House passed the Promoting New Manufacturing Act (H.R. 4795), which continues the House’s legislative focus on creating jobs and helping manufacturing continue to recover in America. The bill helps reduce delays in getting permits from the federal government and provides manufacturers with the roadmap they need to navigate regulations.
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| Small Business Saturday |
Small Business Saturday is just around the corner, and so is a great small business in your community! On November 29th, the Saturday after Thanksgiving, show your support for the small businesses that do so much to provide jobs, build better communities and help the economy grow. Join the millions of Americans saying a special thanks to local small businesses on the busiest shopping weekend of the year.
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| November 21, 2014 |
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| What We're Reading |
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Small Biz Resources
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| Tweet of the Week |
@SmallBizGOP NEWS: Chmn Graves in @CQDNC on @SBAgov rule change would hurt small businesses → http://1.usa.gov/1xRXIn0
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