Washington, D.C.— Today, House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX) penned a letter to President Biden urging his administration to nominate a Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy (Advocacy).
The function of Advocacy is to represent the interests of small business within the federal government. The office also serves as the federal watchdog of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and advocates for small businesses with regards to regulatory issues. During FY 2021, Advocacy provided 17 public comment letters to 10 different agencies on a variety of proposals affecting small business.
In the letter, the lawmakers highlight the importance of Advocacy and encourage the Biden administration to appoint a Chief Council so the office can continue to advance small business interests.
“The SBA Office of Advocacy serves as the independent voice of small businesses within the government, promoting the concerns of entrepreneurs before all three branches of the federal system,” said Ranking Member Velázquez. “I look forward to working with the Administration to fill the position of Chief Counsel, so the Office of Advocacy can represent small firms as effectively as possible.”
“The Chief Counsel for Advocacy position has been vacant for several years now. It is essential this role is filled so the SBA’s Office of Advocacy can effectively look out for Main Street when it comes to burdensome regulations,” said Chairman Williams. “I hope the President sees the necessity of such a position when it comes to advocating on behalf of our nation’s small businesses.”
