Iowa Small Business - A Job Creating Engine

Statement

This week I was proud to join with folks in Iowa's Third Congressional District and across the country in celebrating National Small Business Week! Small businesses represent 97.1 percent of all employers in Iowa and nationally small businesses create 90 percent of our country's new jobs. It is clear Iowa's family businesses and entrepreneurs are essential to our state and communities, as the engine which drives our economic health.

As I visit each of our District's 16 counties each month, I appreciate the many opportunities I have to meet with and listen to our job creators in Iowa. I hear a reoccurring message that we need commonsense pro-growth, pro-jobs policies from Washington to create opportunities which benefit hardworking families. Folks want a fair and easy to navigate tax code, fewer ineffective and burdensome regulations, and the certainty of a level playing field that will allow them to grow and succeed.

Last year, 72 percent of America's small businesses reported regulations were the top factor hurting their "operating environment." These unnecessary rules and regulations cost our job creators time, money, and opportunity. We need to keep the federal government out of the way of opportunity and success, and in Congress, I'm working to do just that.

I've consistently fought for a government that is efficient, effective, transparent and accountable. Last year, I authored an amendment to bring transparency to the regulatory rule making process, taking the burden off of job creators and all Americans. This measure would simply require agencies to cite sources used, such as research or studies, when creating a new rule. This will be an essential improvement to the public comment process that gives Americans a voice in the federal rulemaking process.

My amendment passed the House, and the language I authored was included in the Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act, a bill to require congressional approval of new regulations impacting our economy by $100 million or more. This passed the House as well, and awaits consideration by the Senate.

Last week, bipartisan legislation I supported, the Helping Angels Lead Our Startups (HALOS) Act (H.R. 4498), passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a vote of 325-89 and will next head to the Senate for further consideration. It cuts federal red tape hindering our entrepreneurs, small business owners, and investors, by allowing organizations such as local governments, non-profits, and universities to sponsor events known as demo days where entrepreneurs can showcase their work. This gives them better opportunities to grow their businesses and bring exciting new technologies to market.

While these were important steps, there is still much to be done, which is why I take every opportunity possible to meet and talk with our Iowa job creators about how commonsense policy can help.

On Tuesday, I had the opportunity of visiting with Main Street Corning, an organization dedicated to promoting and driving economic success in the community. I've also recently gotten the chance to visit with Small Business Development Centers across the District, where I've gathered to talk with local business owners about their successes and challenges folks on Main Street are facing.

Ultimately, we cannot stand by while Washington rules and regulations threaten business owners on Main Street, jobs and opportunity, and our hardworking families in Iowa and across the country. I believe every week should be Small Business Week, because our small businesses and Iowa job creators play such an integral role in our communities, helping them to thrive and grow.

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