| Weekly Update from Sam |
| Dear Friends,
Americans should not have to settle for a sluggish economy that is merely treading water with stagnant wages and scarce jobs. This week’s House agenda included passing a collection of bills that work together to reduce red tape, encourage innovation, support investment and promote growth.
The Jobs for America Act includes the Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, a priority of the Committee since 2011. This legislation untangles small businesses from the red tape that is keeping them from growing and creating jobs. Did you know that small businesses spend, on average, $11,724 per employee to comply with federal mandates? This legislation eases that burden and allows small business to help shape the very rules that they must observe – a win-win for everyone.
Small businesses say regulation is one of their top concerns. Let’s give our nation’s job creators a life line rather than burying them in red tape. This step – along with a reduced tax burden and access to capital – will jumpstart the economic growth and job creation we so sorely need.
Sincerely,
Sam Graves
Chairman
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Latest Committee Action
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| On Wednesday, the Committee examined the response of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to the needs of small businesses and rural America, and conducted oversight of the agency’s regulatory process. The Committee explored telecommunications issues that are important to small firms, including net neutrality, broadband deployment, Universal Service Fund reform efforts, and wireless spectrum availability. The Honorable Thomas Wheeler, Chairman of the FCC, testified and Members of the Committee repeatedly conveyed the importance of an FCC agenda that analyzed the consequences of the agency’s decisions on innovation and rural access for small businesses.
On Thursday, Chairman Graves introduced legislation to require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to permit the use of e-signature and electronic records in the SBA loan application process. The Small Business Loan Simplification Act of 2014 would statutorily bring the SBA up-to-speed with technology already being used by private lenders and other federal agencies. Cosponsors are Committee Members: Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), Rep. David Schweikert (R-AZ), Rep. Richard Hanna (R-NY), Rep. Tim Huelskamp (R-KS), and Rep. Chris Collins (R-NY).
Also on Thursday, the Subcommittee on Health and Technology conducted an oversight hearing to examine the ongoing problems with the Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP) exchanges, and to seek answers on behalf of America’s small businesses. During the hearing, Chairman Collins specifically asked the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) witness, Director of State Exchange Group, Mayra Alvarez, about the SHOP enrollment data. CMS was again unable to provide the information despite repeated claims of transparency from the Obama Administration. Read The Hill’s report here and the Washington Business Journal’s here.
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News from Washington
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On Wednesday, the House passed the Federal Reserve Transparency Act (H.R. 24), which would provide for the General Accounting Office to audit the Federal Reserve within a year.
Also on Wednesday, the House passed a Continuing Resolution (H.J. Res. 124), which provides funding at current levels to keep the government funded through December 11 – a measure necessary in the absence of Senate passage of appropriations bills (the House passed seven). A key provision of the measure grants the Department of Defense the authority to proceed with arming and training Syrian opposition forces to oppose the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, known as ISIL.
On Thursday, the House passed the Jobs for America Act, which repeals the Obamacare 30-hour workweek provision that costs jobs, undertakes various regulatory reforms including a requirement that all rules with a major economic impact be approved by Congress, protects tax-free internet access for all Americans, preserves tax relief for small business S corporations, and also protects research and development incentives.
Also on Thursday, the House passed the American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs Act, which would approve a northern route option so that building could proceed on the Keystone XL pipeline, remove government barriers to offshore energy development, protect coal jobs and preserve affordable electricity, and otherwise streamline energy exploration and strengthen energy partnerships with Canada and Mexico for lower prices.
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| Stay Plugged In |
Be sure to check out the House Small Business Committee on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter for all the latest in Small Biz news and resources and to join the conversation. We value your input, so tell us about your small business on our interactive website Small Biz Open Mic.
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