House Committee on Small Business

House Committee on Small Business
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Committee	House Committee on Small Business
Chamber	U.S. House of Representatives
Formed	1941
Chair	Nydia Velázquez
Ranking member	Blaine Luetkemeyer

House Committee on Small Business is a standing committee of the United States House of Representatives, established in 1941 to protect and assist small businesses, particularly in their interactions with the federal government. The committee has played a crucial role in shaping policies related to entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth, often working closely with organizations such as the Small Business Administration and the National Federation of Independent Business. Throughout its history, the committee has been chaired by prominent figures, including Donald A. Manzullo and Sam Graves, who have worked to promote the interests of small business owners and entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs and Bill Gates.

● History

The committee was established in 1941, during the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, with the goal of supporting small businesses during a time of economic uncertainty. Over the years, the committee has undergone several changes, with its jurisdiction and responsibilities evolving to address the changing needs of small businesses. In the 1980s, the committee played a key role in the passage of the Small Business Innovation Development Act, which was signed into law by President Ronald Reagan. The committee has also worked closely with other congressional committees, such as the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Ways and Means, to advance the interests of small businesses. Notable members of the committee have included John Kerry, Nancy Pelosi, and Paul Ryan, who have all gone on to hold prominent positions in Congress and the executive branch.

● Jurisdiction

The committee has jurisdiction over matters related to small business development, including access to capital, regulatory reform, and international trade. The committee also oversees the activities of the Small Business Administration, which provides support to small businesses through programs such as the 7(a) loan program and the Microloan program. In addition, the committee has jurisdiction over matters related to entrepreneurship and job creation, working closely with organizations such as the National Small Business Association and the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council. The committee has also worked to promote the interests of small businesses in the technology sector, including companies like Google and Amazon, and has held hearings on topics such as cybersecurity and intellectual property protection.

● Members

The committee is composed of members from both the Democratic Party and the Republican Party, with the chair and ranking member typically being from different parties. Current members of the committee include Nydia Velázquez, Blaine Luetkemeyer, Judy Chu, and Kevin Hern, who have all been involved in efforts to promote the interests of small businesses. The committee has also had notable members in the past, including Milton Friedman, Alan Greenspan, and Ben Bernanke, who have all played important roles in shaping economic policy. Other notable figures who have worked with the committee include Warren Buffett, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush, who have all been involved in efforts to promote economic growth and job creation.

● Subcommittees

The committee has several subcommittees, each with its own jurisdiction and responsibilities. The subcommittees include the Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce, the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access, and the Subcommittee on Innovation and Workforce Development. These subcommittees have held hearings on topics such as small business access to capital, regulatory reform, and workforce development, and have worked to promote the interests of small businesses in industries such as healthcare and technology. The subcommittees have also worked closely with organizations such as the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to advance the interests of small businesses.

● Notable legislation

The committee has played a key role in the passage of several notable pieces of legislation, including the Small Business Jobs Act of 2010, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama. The committee has also worked to promote the passage of legislation such as the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act and the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act, which have helped to support small business growth and job creation. Other notable legislation that the committee has worked on includes the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which have had significant impacts on the economy and small businesses. The committee has also worked closely with other congressional committees, such as the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, to advance the interests of small businesses.