videos

EventID=114728 The U.S. aviation and aerospace industry is an essential component of both the economy and national defense. Small entities comprise more than 90 percent of businesses in airline transportation, air transport support, and aviation manufacturing. For years, this industry has been struggling with workforce shortages, which were compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, the technological advancement in the sector means continual upskilling is needed to maintain the highly skille...

EventID=114738 The Committee on Small Business will hold a hybrid markup of legislation to amend the Small Business Act. The markup will be held at 10:00 A.M. (ET) on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building and on Zoom.

EventID=114651 The Administration’s Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023) budget request for the Small Business Administration (SBA) is $1.06 billion for the agency, an increase of $26 million from FY 2022 enacted levels. Members will have an opportunity to hear directly from Administrator Guzman about the priorities for the agency and discuss specific funding requests for FY 2023. Additionally, the Committee will discuss the ongoing agency efforts related to the pandemic programs.

EventID=114595 The Subcommittee will meet to examine the United States Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy (Advocacy). SBA’s Office of Advocacy is an independent office within SBA responsible for collecting data relevant to the small business ecosystem and elevating the concerns of small businesses at the local, state, and federal levels. Members will have the opportunity to learn about Advocacy’s operations, responsibilities, and how Congress can better support its mission....

EventID=114482 Despite the labor market recovering most of the jobs lost during the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been an ongoing labor shortage since mid-2021. This has particularly impacted small firms, that had already been struggling with recruiting and retaining a skilled workforce. This hearing will examine the factors contributing to the workforce shortage and discuss potential solutions, including changes to the workforce development system, the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jo...

EventID=114532 The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) helped small businesses stay afloat throughout the pandemic. In later phases of the program, Congress made changes to the program to allow community-based lenders, many of whom participated in SBA business loan programs prior to the pandemic, to originate more PPP loans. The research shows the changes improved the program’s reach into underserved markets. While the PPP portal closed on May 31, 2021, to ...

EventID=114490 To help small businesses retain employees and sustain operations during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), a new forgivable loan guarantee program within the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) that delivered almost $800 billion in capital to small businesses. In the two years since its creation, researchers have reviewed and analyzed the loan data to assess the program’s effectiveness in preserving jobs and reac...

EventID=114475 This is the third hearing in a series on the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs, which are authorized through September 30, 2022. The SBIR and STTR programs foster partnerships between small businesses and the federal government by making competitive awards to develop technologies that are important to our country and later have commercial application. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is responsible for coordinat...

EventID=114449 The SBA’s 8(a) Program is a business development program that helps disadvantaged small businesses better compete in the American economy. The hearing will examine how the program currently works as well as the resources it provides to small businesses. Members will have an opportunity to hear from stakeholders about ways to modernize the program and improve its effectiveness.

EventID=114436 Antitrust laws exist to promote competition and prohibit anti-competitive behavior by large firms. However, the U.S. economy has seen continued concentration among its industries since the 1970s. Although this issue is traditionally viewed through the lens of consumers, consolidated industries can be particularly harmful to small firms and new startups. This hearing will examine the history of antitrust law and the historical importance of encouraging fair competition and their po...

EventID=114405 The condition of America’s infrastructure has been declining for decades. The American Society of Civil Engineers has long said that trillions are needed for repairs and improvements to U.S. infrastructure. On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law) into law, making a historic investment of $550 billion in new funds for large infrastructure projects, supply chains, broadband, and drinkin...

EventID=114379 The Committee on Small Business will hold a hybrid markup of legislation to amend the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act. The markup will be held at 10:00 A.M. (ET) on Thursday, February 3, 2022, in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building and on Zoom.

EventID=114327 Representing nearly 5.2 million American workers, the arts sector is a major component of the economy. Unfortunately, this industry has been exceptionally hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and its recovery has been slower than many others. The hearing will provide recommendations for investments in key infrastructure and provide a roadmap for bringing arts, culture, and creativity into the center of long-term recovery. Members will hear from experts alongside creative entrepreneur...

Each year, the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Inspector General (OIG) releases a report on the most significant management and performance challenges facing SBA. The goal is to focus attention on issues to enhance the effectiveness of the agency and its programs. In addition, every six months the OIG submits a report on its independent oversight of the SBA. The hearing will cover issues related to SBA’s management of its programs related to pandemic relief, contracting and couns...