Press Releases
Velázquez Appointed Chairwoman of Small Business Committee
Washington, DC,
January 4, 2019
Chosen by Colleagues in Democratic Caucus to Assume the Gavel for the 116th Congress
Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) was approved by the Democratic Caucus to serve as Chairwoman of the House Committee on Small Business for the 116th Congress. Velázquez returns to the role after making history as the first Hispanic woman to serve as Ranking Member and Chair of a House standing committee. As she retakes the gavel, Velázquez brings passion, leadership, and a record of accomplishments.
“As we welcome the most diverse Congress in our nation’s history, I am honored to have been selected by my colleagues to take on issues important to America’s small business sector,” said Velázquez. “I look forward to collaborating closely with my fellow Democrats, while also continuing the Committee’s longstanding commitment to bipartisanship.”
In the role, Velázquez will be tasked with overseeing the Small Business Administration (SBA), the only federal agency dedicated to supporting America’s entrepreneurial sector by providing financing, contracting, and technical assistance to people throughout the United States and its territories. Alongside strengthening SBA’s core functions and conducting oversight, Velázquez plans to elevate the concerns of small firms in broader policy debates through legislation and hearings. Concerned that the Trump Administration’s restrictive immigration policies, unnecessary trade war and corporate tax giveaway are harming small firms, Velázquez will hold hearings that give small business owners and stakeholders a platform to voice their concerns on these topics.
“As Chairwoman, I will prioritize strengthening SBA’s flagship lending and contract assistance programs so that more small firms can unlock opportunities to success,” said Velazquez. “The concerns facing entrepreneurs are vast—from young people burdened by student loans, to small farmers hurt by the President’s trade war, to a shortage of skilled workers to fill jobs. In the 116th Congress, Committee Democrats will be focused on addressing these issues by pushing for policies and investments that help small businesses, be it in rural America, on Main Street, or in cities across the country.”
###
|
