Washington D.C.— Today, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing examining the impact of Department of Labor (DOL) rulemaking on American small businesses. During the hearing, Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) discussed the importance of minimizing the impact of rulemaking on small firms by promoting smart, well-crafted, common-sense regulations that unleash innovation and provide critical health and safety protections for workers.
“Rather than roll back regulations that protect the health and safety of America’s workers, we should allow SBA’s Office of Advocacy to work with agencies to understand the impact these regulations have on small firms and find ways to balance the burdens and goals of the regulations,” said Ranking Member Velázquez. “I believe small businesses want to do the right thing and avoid unfair labor practices. Therefore, it is important to make sure employers have the resources they need to comply with Federal regulations.”
The Regulatory Flexibility Act requires federal agencies to work with the Office of Advocacy to gather input from small businesses during the rulemaking process, while also ensuring the goal of the legislation is achieved. Throughout the Biden administration, the DOL has issued a range of proposed or final rules to protect the health and safety of our nation’s workers and has received high marks from the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) and the Office of Ombudsman for their compliance with the rule-writing requirements pertaining to small businesses.
During the hearing, witnesses testified on the challenges and benefits DOL rules pose to small firms and how Congress can ensure a well-functioning rulemaking process that addresses threats to public health and safety in a timely manner and gives small businesses the tools they need to grow and flourish.
“Regulations address the health and well-being of workers, the local community, and the entire country. This creates a healthier economy for small and all businesses to prosper. Good regulations create opportunities for entrepreneurs and small businesses to innovate and grow by creating new products and services which create new jobs,” said Frank Knapp Jr., President & Chief Executive Officer of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce. “These benefits might be difficult to quantify, but totally ignoring them only serves the purpose of those who oppose regulations or those who want to cast dispersions on an administration acting responsibly.”
