[House Hearing, 111 Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
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COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
UNITED STATES
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
MEETING HELD
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2009
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Small Business Committee Document Number 111-002
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS
NYDIA M. VELAZQUEZ, New York, Chairwoman
DENNIS MOORE, Kansas
HEATH SHULER, North Carolina
KATHY DAHLKEMPER, Pennsylvania
KURT SCHRADER, Oregon
ANN KIRKPATRICK, Arizona
GLENN NYE, Virginia
MICHAEL MICHAUD, Maine
MELISSA BEAN, Illinois
DAN LIPINSKI, Illinois
JASON ALTMIRE, Pennsylvania
YVETTE CLARKE, New York
BRAD ELLSWORTH, Indiana
JOE SESTAK, Pennsylvania
BOBBY BRIGHT, Alabama
PARKER GRIFFITH, Alabama
DEBORAH HALVORSON, Illinois
SAM GRAVES, Missouri, Ranking Member
ROSCOE G. BARTLETT, Maryland
W. TODD AKIN, Missouri
STEVE KING, Iowa
LYNN A. WESTMORELAND, Georgia
LOUIE GOHMERT, Texas
MARY FALLIN, Oklahoma
VERN BUCHANAN, Florida
BLAINE LUETKEMEYER, Missouri
AARON SCHOCK, Illinois
GLENN THOMPSON, Pennsylvania
MIKE COFFMAN, Colorado
Michael Day, Majority Staff Director
Adam Minehardt, Deputy Staff Director
Tim Slattery, Chief Counsel
Karen Haas, Minority Staff Director
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(ii)
?
C O N T E N T S
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OPENING STATEMENTS
Page
Velazquez, Hon. Nydia M.......................................... 1
Graves, Hon. Sam................................................. 2
APPENDIX
Documents for the Record:
Rules and Procedures Adopted by the Committee on Small Business,
U.S. House of Representatives, 111th Congress, 2009-2010....... 7
Oversight Plan of the Committee On Small Business for the One
Hundred Eleventh Congress...................................... 19
(iii)
ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
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WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2009
U.S. House of Representatives,
Committee on Small Business,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 1:07 p.m., in Room
2360, Rayburn House Office Building, Hon. Nydia M. Velazquez
[Chair of the Committee] Presiding.
Present: Representatives Velazquez, Moore, Shuler,
Dahlkemper, Schrader, Kirkpatrick, Nye, Michaud, Bean,
Lipinski, Altmire, Sestak, Bright, Griffith, Halvorson, Graves,
Bartlett, Akin, Buchanan, Luetkemeyer, Schock, Thompson and
Coffman.
Chairwoman Velazquez. I call the Small Business Committee
organizational meeting to order.
I want to first welcome all returning and new members, and
I want to also recognize Ranking Member Graves in his new role
with the committee. We all look forward to working with you.
Let me take this opportunity to introduce the members on my
side.
We have Kathy Dahlkemper from Pennsylvania. Ms. Kathy
Dahlkemper is serving her first time, representing
Pennsylvania's 3rd District. She is the new Chair of the
Subcommittee on Regulations and Health Care. After facing
challenges running her own small business, she is committed to
creating policy that provides a positive environment for job
retention and growth.
Kurt Schrader, Oregon 5. Mr. Kurt Schrader is serving his
first term as a representative of Oregon's 5th District. He has
been a public servant to the citizens of Oregon for over 35
years. He will Chair the Subcommittee on Finance and Tax during
this Congress.
Mr. Heath Shuler, an old member returning, represents the
11th District of North Carolina. He will Chair the Subcommittee
on Rural Development, Entrepreneurship and Trade in the 111th
Congress. In the last Congress, Mr. Shuler was the sponsor of
the Small Energy Efficient Business Act, which was signed into
law.
Mrs. Ann Kirkpatrick, Arizona 1st. Mrs. Ann Kirkpatrick is
serving her first term representing Arizona's 1st District. She
served in the House of Representatives of Arizona prior to
coming to Congress. She was her county's first female Deputy
Attorney and went on to serve as District Attorney for the City
of Sedona.
Michael Michaud, Maine's 2nd District. He is currently
serving his fourth term representing the people of the 2nd
District of Maine in Congress. He has been active on the
committee since coming to Congress and is also a leader on
veterans' issues. He also has continued to be a vocal voice on
behalf of economic development programs since coming to
Congress.
Mr. Jason Altmire, Pennsylvania's 4th District; he will
continue to Chair the Subcommittee on Investigation and
Oversight. He was the lead sponsor of the Small Business
Investment Expansion Act of 2007, which updates the SBA's
investment programs and encourages more venture capital
opportunities for small businesses. Prior to coming to
Congress, he worked as a hospital executive.
Mr. Joe Sestak, Pennsylvania's 7th District. He was elected
in 2006. He will continue to serve as the Vice Chair of the
Small Business Committee in the new Congress. He was lead
sponsor on the SBA Entrepreneurial Development Programs Act of
2007, which provides technical assistance for entrepreneurs.
Prior to coming to Congress, he served in the Navy as a Vice
Admiral.
Mrs. Deborah Halvorson, Illinois' 11th. She is serving her
first term representing the constituents of the 11th District
of Illinois. She served as the first female State senate
majority leader in Illinois' history. She has been an advocate
to promote local businesses around the globe.
Mr. Glenn Nye, Virginia's 2nd. Mr. Nye is serving his first
term representing Virginia's 2nd District. He was previously a
Foreign Service Officer for the U.S. State Department, where he
served in Eastern Europe and received the Superior Honor Award.
As a freshman, he has been named Chair of the Subcommittee on
Contracting and Technology.
Mr. Bobby Bright, Alabama's 2nd. He is serving his first
term representing Alabama's 2nd District. Prior to coming to
Congress, he was the Mayor of Montgomery, Alabama. As Mayor,
Mr. Bright was able to lift Montgomery from 70th to 30th in a
ranking of cities experiencing business success.
The Honorable Parker Griffith, Alabama's 5th, serving his
first term. He is a retired oncologist, as well as a
businessman and teacher. While serving in the Alabama State
senate, he championed legislation promoting research in
biofuels and advancing health care.
And now I yield to Mr. Graves for him to introduce his
members.
Mr. Graves. Thank you, Madam Chair; and I look forward to
our working relationship in the committee.
We have three new members on our side. First of all, I
would like to introduce Representative Blaine Luetkemeyer, who
is a fellow Missourian. He worked as a banker and an insurance
agent prior to coming to Congress. Representative Aaron Schock
from Illinois, who had a career in real estate management and
served in the Illinois General Assembly. And Representative
Glenn Thompson of Pennsylvania, who was a health care executive
before coming to Congress.
Also, I welcome back our returning members: Roscoe Bartlett
from Maryland; Todd Akin, another fellow Missourian; Steve King
of Iowa; Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia; Louie Gohmert of Texas;
Mary Fallin of Oklahoma; and Vern Buchanan of Florida. They
bring a lot of collective experience.
I think if you just look at the experience level on the
entire committee, I think we are going to have a real good
committee and a lot of broad ideas and bring in a lot of good
experience here. So thank you.
Chairwoman Velazquez. My colleagues, our Nation's small
businesses are facing difficulties on numerous fronts; and it
is important to address these issues in a constructive and
inclusive manner. My beliefs have always been that there is not
a Republican or a Democratic approach to small business issues.
That is why I have made it a priority for this committee to
work in a bipartisan fashion. During the last 2 years, we did
just that; and nearly every legislative and oversight matter
was approached in this way. All members, regardless of party
affiliation, bring worthy ideas to the table; and this
committee will continue to be an open forum. With the adoption
of today's rules package and oversight plan, I believe we are
making it clear to the small business community that we are
committed to working together and advocating on their behalf.
Last Congress, this committee was one of the busiest on all
of Capitol Hill; and we passed a record number of bills and
also a record number of bills for minority members as well.
This year, with the economic challenges facing small
businesses, we expect to be even busier. I look forward to the
discussions and debates that I know will transpire over the
next 2 years.
At this point, I now yield to Ranking Member, Mr. Graves,
for his opening statement.
Mr. Graves. Thank you, Madam Chair.
As we begin, I do want to say I look forward to continuing
the tradition of bipartisanship that the Small Business
Committee has had, particularly on behalf of our Nation's
entrepreneurs; and I would echo all of your statements. Small
businesses employ over half of America's workers and create 7
of 10 jobs in this country. Small firms represent approximately
99 percent of all the firms in the nation and make up 45
percent of the Nation's private-sector payroll. They produce 50
percent of our private and nonfarm gross domestic product.
It is clear that small businesses are the key to economic
recovery, and we have to ensure that small businesses remain
healthy so they can reinvigorate our economy. Policies that
create tax incentives, spur investment and create jobs will
jump-start small businesses and get our economy moving again.
I look forward to working with you, Madam Chair, and the
members of the committee on both sides of the aisle over the
next 2 years on these issues that are so important and so
critical to our recovery.
Chairwoman Velazquez. I also would like to recognize Ms.
Melissa Bean from Illinois who has joined the committee.
Today's first order of business is to adopt the committee
rules. The adoption of the rules is central to the work we do
and the tone we set in this body. Perhaps most importantly,
they must ensure that all points of view are considered and
that the minority retains their full rights to be heard. In
this context, the rules adopted at the beginning of the 110th
Congress were a critical departure from the past. This included
providing the minority with proportional representation among
witnesses and allocating the ranking member with full control
over budget and travel decisions. This makes our committee's
rule among the most equitable in Congress.
This year, we are making two substantive changes to improve
the committee's structure and transparency. The first change is
to vest each subcommittee with a specific legislative
jurisdiction. This is important, given the amount of work
before us and will help allocate our committee's resources and
members' time more efficiently.
The second change we are making is to post the committee's
votes within 48 hours after they were taken. We are not aware
of any difficulties regarding our votes, and they are all
available in the committee reports filed with the bills.
However, I am glad to accept this change because it is
important to Ranking Member Graves; and it starts the new year
off in a bipartisan spirit.
This committee needs to run in a cooperative matter, and I
believe the best way to do this is to make sure both sides have
an equal voice and are treated in a way that is fair. Through
adoption of these rules, we will continue this practice.
At this point, I would like to yield to Ranking Member
Graves for any comments he may have on the rules.
Mr. Graves. Thank you, Madam Chair; And I want to thank you
and your staff. Your staff, I know, put a lot of work into this
and worked collaboratively with our staff.
This package does provide continued protection for the
rights of the minority and the opportunity for the minority's
input in the operation of the committee. I want to highlight
four of those rules.
First, the rules provide the subcommittee with its
legislative jurisdiction so that, for the first time, they will
have the ability to mark up legislation. This means that the
minority will have increased opportunities to consult with the
majority about the overall tone and specific provisions of
legislative initiatives. This is a very important development
for the committee.
Second, the chairwoman has also allowed the minority to
continue to call up to one-third of the nongovernment witnesses
testifying at the committee hearing. This is going to enhance
the dialogue presented by the committee with greater diversity
on opinion as we consider policies to grow America's small
businesses.
Third, except in unusual circumstances, the rules provide
that subpoenas may not be issued unilaterally. Any subpoena
issued by the chairwoman generally will require a majority vote
of the committee. This ensures that the minority will continue
to be consulted on this very important congressional oversight
function.
And, fourth, the minority is going to continue to have
control over one-third of the committee's budget. I thank you
for that. That shows a lot about how you are going to run the
committee. This rule goes a long way towards maintaining that
collegial tone of the committee.
As a final thought, and the chairwoman pointed it out, I
want to thank you for graciously accepting our recommendations
from the minority; and, again, I appreciate you and your
staff's hard work on this package.
I yield back.
Chairwoman Velazquez. Thank you.
Are there any members that wish to be recognized on the
rules?
If no other members wish to be recognized, I will yield to
the Vice Chair, Mr. Sestak, for a motion.
Mr. Sestak. I say that we adopt the rules for the 111th
Congress.
Chairwoman Velazquez. Does anyone second the motion?
The question is on the adoption of the rules. All those in
favor, say aye. All those opposed, say no.
In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. The rules
for the Small Business Committee in the United States House of
Representatives for the 111th Congress are hereby adopted.
Today's second order of business is to consider the
committee's oversight plan. This represents our agenda for the
next 2 years both in terms of oversight and also in terms of
actions that we will take. I want to thank Ranking Member
Graves for his input in constructing this plan and for helping
improve this plan in such key areas such as transportation,
broadband employment and the economy stimulus.
The oversight plan provides small businesses and this
committee's members and staff with a policy framework to work
within. Ideally, we have incorporated all matters that could
arise in the next 2 years. But, as history has shown us, this
is nearly impossible, especially without a magical crystal
ball.
The oversight plan prioritizes several items for the
committee's attention. It includes oversight of Federal actions
taken in response to the financial crisis. In addition, the
committee will examine tax proposals, rising health care costs
and burdensome regulations.
This plan will provide members with a sense of our
legislative agenda, including reauthorizing the Small Business
Administration. I will note that the House fully passed this
last year, but the other body did not act on it. Through the
adoption of this plan, we are establishing a framework on how
we intend to proceed to meet the needs of small businesses.
I look forward to working with each of you as we begin the
new Congress.
At this point, I would like to yield to Ranking Member
Graves for any comments he may have on the oversight plan.
Mr. Graves. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Congressional oversight is vitally important to ensure that
the functions of government are being properly administered and
managed. With a growing deficit as well as increasingly complex
and costly government programs, it is critical to keep a
watchful eye on expenditures' efficiency and effectiveness.
This committee has oversight authority over the programs
and policies of the Small Business Administration, as well as
issues of importance to America's small businesses like taxes,
health care, government regulation, energy and access to
credit.
Madam Chair, I look forward to working with you over the
next 2 years to see that the provisions in this oversight plan
are carried out through the appropriate hearings, studies,
legislation and correspondence; and I want to thank your for
incorporating our suggestions into the oversight plan. And my
favorite part about the chairwoman is she is direct, quick, to
the point and we get this done quickly; and I appreciate that.
Chairwoman Velazquez. At this point, I would like to--
Are there any other members that wish to be recognized on
the oversight plan?
If no other members wish to be recognized, I yield to the
Vice Chair, Mr. Sestak, for a motion.
Mr. Sestak. Madam Chair, I move that we adopt the plans of
the 111th Congress.
Chairwoman Velazquez. Does anyone second the motion?
Ms. Bean. I second it.
Chairwoman Velazquez. The question is on the adoption of
the oversight plan. All those in favor, say aye. All those
opposed, say no.
In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it. The
oversight plan for the Small Business Committee in the United
States House of Representatives for the 111th Congress is
hereby adopted.
With that, the Small Business Committee organizational
meeting is concluded; and the committee is now adjourned.
But before we adjourn, I just would like to recognize Mr.
Dennis Moore from Kansas, who has joined us, and Dan Lipinski
from Illinois.
Any other new member here, Mr. Graves?
Mr. Graves. I actually introduced them.
Chairwoman Velazquez. Okay. Very good.
Well, the committee is now adjourned. Thank you.
[Whereupon, at 1:23 p.m., the committee was adjourned.]
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