Access to capital is the lifeblood of American small business. When small firms obtain adequate funding, they can grow their business, create jobs, and bolster the overall economy.
Unfortunately, accessing capital is the single greatest challenge facing most entrepreneurs. This is especially true for underserved groups like women and minorities, who don’t have the same… Read more »
During my tenure on this committee, I’ve seen countless examples of how small businesses drive American innovation. Technology has changed rapidly over the years, thanks to pioneering entrepreneurs leading the way.
Congress has facilitated this innovation through investments in federally funded research and development, also known as R&D. As a result, federally funded… Read more »
It’s no secret that America’s infrastructure has long been in decline. The World Economic Forum ranked the United States 13th in the world for infrastructure in 2019. Our country earned a C- in a recent infrastructure report card issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers, continuing a streak of subpar marks from the organization. Across the country, roads, bridges, and railways… Read more »
Today’s hearing serves as a reminder that the immigrant story is the American story. For centuries, the United States has welcomed immigrants from all around the world.
These migrants often risked their safety and well-being to get here. They crossed vast desserts, tumultuous oceans, and rugged terrain—all in the pursuit of a better life and the American dream.
In… Read more »
The COVID-19 pandemic sparked a once-in-a-lifetime crisis for American small businesses. The pandemic hit small firms the hardest, resulting in the most significant in business ownership in U.S. history. Facing an unprecedented wave of small business closures, Congress acted by creating economic relief programs to help businesses stay afloat through the crisis.
Since the passage of the… Read more »
Thank you all for being here today for the first hearing of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure for the 117th Congress. For our opening hearing, I thought it was important to examine an issue that is a priority for government contractors: the interplay between the Federal Acquisition Regulations (the FAR) and the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).
The FAR serves as the… Read more »
I’m proud to serve as Chair of this critical subcommittee. Underserved, agricultural, and rural small businesses have experienced some of the harshest outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic. The road to recovery they face is long, and we must ensure we advance policy that prioritizes them, so they are not left behind.
I hope to use this subcommittee’s first hearing during the 117th… Read more »
One year ago today, during the early stages of the pandemic, this Committee held our first hearing on the impact of COVID on small businesses. Since that hearing, our Committee has been working relentlessly to get them the aid they need to make it through this crisis.
One of Congress’s earliest and most effective means of distributing relief to small businesses was through the Paycheck… Read more »
This past year, COVID-19 sparked a once in a lifetime crisis for American small businesses. As we meet today, entrepreneurs nationwide are holding on to their businesses for dear life.
According to research published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the number of active business owners fell by 22% from February to April 2020, the largest drop on record. That same research… Read more »
The COVID-19 pandemic has fundamentally altered the way America’s small businesses operate. Mandatory closures to protect public health have significantly impacted their bottom line and viability. To help small businesses weather the pandemic, Congress has passed a series of legislative packages.
On March 6th, The Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act… Read more »
