Straight Talk: We Must Remove Barriers Impeding Job Creators

Statement

Dear Friends,

Today the Department of Labor reported that the March unemployment rate decreased slightly to 8.8 percent and the number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits also declined for the second time in three weeks. While this is welcome news, more must be done. Americans could be back to work faster if we remove the barriers hindering job creators. This means eliminating excessive government spending, lowering taxes, passing a responsible budget and removing government regulations that strangle job growth.

It's been more than 40 days since Senate Democrats have failed to pass a budget to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. Although Congress has kept the government going with several short-term budget resolutions, we need a long term solution to provide the economic certainty businesses need. It is my hope that we can work together to pass a budget for the remainder of the fiscal year soon.

The House Committee on Small Business is working hard on priorities that will encourage job growth. Currently, we are in the process of reauthorizing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program that will stimulate innovation in the private sector and commercialize these ideas. When small businesses pioneer new products, they grow and create jobs.

We also held a hearing this week on the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA), a statute that directs federal agencies to examine how their rules and regulations will affect small businesses. Eliminating and preventing nonsensical, overreaching rules will allow businesses to expand, create jobs and get our economy moving in the right direction. Getting Big Government out of the way is one of many steps we should be taking to foster long-term economic growth and stability.

Best regards,

Sam Graves
Chairman

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