WASHINGTON – Today, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing titled “A Small Part in a Big Company: Examining the Power of Franchising in the American Economy.” The hearing examined how economic instability and federal policies are affecting the franchise model, which includes many small, independently owned businesses across the country. During the hearing, Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázq... Read More »
WASHINGTON – Today, House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Senate Small Business Committee Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced the SBIR and STTR Reauthorization Act of 2025. The bill would permanently authorize and strengthen two of the federal government’s most successful small business innovation programs: the Small Business Innovation Research ... Read More »
Let me begin by saying, that the timing and content of this mark-up is ill conceived. We are in the midst of reconciliation, and a vast majority of our members cannot attend due to conflicts. It doesn’t make sense to move controversial bills without giving all members a fair opportunity to participate and offer amendments. Aside from the member conflicts, these bills, which put major organizationa... Read More »
WASHINGTON – Today, Republicans on the House Small Business Committee pushed through a slate of controversial, unvetted bills that ignore the real challenges facing entrepreneurs and small firms. While small businesses struggle with rising prices and the fallout from Trump’s reckless tariff policies, Republicans advanced seven bills that have not received any hearing, testimony, or basic vetting. ... Read More »
Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, led 68 House Democrats in calling on the Trump administration to protect small businesses from the fallout of its escalating trade war. “Taxes on imported goods hit small businesses the hardest, with 88 percent of small firms relying on imports for the goods they produce and sell. These companies ... Read More »
WASHINGTON- Today, House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) sent a letter to President Donald Trump and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon raising alarm over the administration’s plans to transfer the Department of Education’s (DOE) $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio to the Small Business Administration (SBA). In the letter, Velázquez warned that the move... Read More »
WASHINGTON – Today, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing examining how tax policy impacts American small businesses. During the hearing, Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) underscored the need for a fairer tax system that supports small firms rather than prioritizing large corporations and the wealthy. “Main Street businesses form the bedrock of our nation’s economy, driving inn... Read More »
WASHINGTON– Today, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing on how private investment, including through the SBA’s Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) program, supports small business growth. Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) focused on the need to ensure private capital is accessible to all entrepreneurs—not just those in major markets or with existing networks. “Financing and a... Read More »
WASHINGTON- Today, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing titled “The Golden Age: Unleashing Main Street Through Deregulation”. During the hearing, Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) criticized the Trump Administration for promoting policies that have created widespread confusion and harm for small businesses across the country. “Some may argue that the ‘golden age of deregulation... Read More »
WASHINGTON– Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) released the following statement after President Trump announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) will take over management of the federal government’s student loan portfolio, following the dismantling of the Department of Education: “Trump’s decision to shift responsibility over the federal government’s approximately $1.6 trillion stud... Read More »
WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, led committee members and other House Democrats in sending a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA), raising serious concerns about the abrupt decision to relocate six SBA regional offices. On March 6th, SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced plans to relocate regional offices i... Read More »
WASHINGTON– Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, issued the following statement after the Labor Department released its February jobs report: “The February jobs report flashes warning signs for the Trump economy. Job growth slowed more than expected, showing the economic uncertainty caused by the administration’s reckless trade policies and a... Read More »
