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Van Duyne: Small Businesses, the Lifeblood of the American Economic Machine
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations held a hybrid hearing titled, "SBA’s Role in Climate Solutions."
Subcommittee Ranking Member Van Duyne's opening statement as prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling this hearing.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economic machine. They spur innovation, provide the majority of jobs, and keep America’s uniquely entrepreneurial spirit thriving. At the beginning of 2020, we saw small business success at record levels, and then as everyone on this committee is brutally aware, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the economy to a standstill. These shutdowns forced small businesses to temporarily close their doors, lay off their employees, and for some, shattered their dreams entirely.
But even while enduring such a difficult moment in our nation’s history, the resiliency of America’s entrepreneurs shined through. Small businesses quickly adapted to this new environment, and the SBA’s COVID relief programs, including the successful Paycheck Protection Program, helped many of America’s smallest employers keep the bills paid as they waited to reopen.
Yet, even after getting past seemingly never-ending state and local restrictions, small businesses are now facing unexpected competition from the federal government. The Biden administration seems relentless in its attempt to destroy small businesses.
Today, the businesses fueling growth in our communities are experiencing massive labor force shortages, rapidly increasing inflation, and an unreliable supply chain. Unfortunately, all of these individually disastrous issues have something in common: tone-deaf federal policies. To top it all off, the small businesses I have spoken with are already preparing for the next disaster this Administration is hurling their way: tax hikes.
After meeting with countless small business owners back home in North Texas, there wasn’t one I talked to who hasn’t already increased wages and benefits to attract work, and yet are still struggling to find enough workers. So, last week, with the help of local elected officials, I hosted a job fair to connect these hurting businesses with workers looking for their next opportunity. If there is one takeaway I can share today, it’s that America is ready to reopen. We need to give small businesses the room to succeed and allow American workers to earn their way forward.
While I left that job fair with a great sense of optimism in the people of this country and their never-ending resiliency, the work here in Congress is far from over. Prices today are notably higher than this time last year, and the solution given by this Administration is to spend trillions more. And who will foot the bill? The exact same small businesses and employees we are allegedly trying to help.
Small businesses can lead this recovery, but they must be given the opportunity to do so on their own. The American entrepreneur, not this Administration’s checkbook, is our country’s greatest asset, and I look forward to promoting an environment in which small businesses can once again drive our country forward.
I want to thank all our witnesses for joining us today. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
Subcommittee Ranking Member Van Duyne's opening statement as prepared for delivery:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for calling this hearing.
Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economic machine. They spur innovation, provide the majority of jobs, and keep America’s uniquely entrepreneurial spirit thriving. At the beginning of 2020, we saw small business success at record levels, and then as everyone on this committee is brutally aware, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the economy to a standstill. These shutdowns forced small businesses to temporarily close their doors, lay off their employees, and for some, shattered their dreams entirely.
But even while enduring such a difficult moment in our nation’s history, the resiliency of America’s entrepreneurs shined through. Small businesses quickly adapted to this new environment, and the SBA’s COVID relief programs, including the successful Paycheck Protection Program, helped many of America’s smallest employers keep the bills paid as they waited to reopen.
Yet, even after getting past seemingly never-ending state and local restrictions, small businesses are now facing unexpected competition from the federal government. The Biden administration seems relentless in its attempt to destroy small businesses.
Today, the businesses fueling growth in our communities are experiencing massive labor force shortages, rapidly increasing inflation, and an unreliable supply chain. Unfortunately, all of these individually disastrous issues have something in common: tone-deaf federal policies. To top it all off, the small businesses I have spoken with are already preparing for the next disaster this Administration is hurling their way: tax hikes.
After meeting with countless small business owners back home in North Texas, there wasn’t one I talked to who hasn’t already increased wages and benefits to attract work, and yet are still struggling to find enough workers. So, last week, with the help of local elected officials, I hosted a job fair to connect these hurting businesses with workers looking for their next opportunity. If there is one takeaway I can share today, it’s that America is ready to reopen. We need to give small businesses the room to succeed and allow American workers to earn their way forward.
While I left that job fair with a great sense of optimism in the people of this country and their never-ending resiliency, the work here in Congress is far from over. Prices today are notably higher than this time last year, and the solution given by this Administration is to spend trillions more. And who will foot the bill? The exact same small businesses and employees we are allegedly trying to help.
Small businesses can lead this recovery, but they must be given the opportunity to do so on their own. The American entrepreneur, not this Administration’s checkbook, is our country’s greatest asset, and I look forward to promoting an environment in which small businesses can once again drive our country forward.
I want to thank all our witnesses for joining us today. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
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