Fighting for America's Small Businesses
America’s small businesses are the engines of our country’s economic growth and dynamism. In New York’s 22nd District, 94% of workers are employed by a small business. Ensuring they have the tools they need to flourish will help secure our country’s economic success and reinvigorate our region. That is why the work of the House Committee on Small Business is crucial to the success of Main Street USA and to restoring broadly shared prosperity in our communities.
One of the most important duties of the Small Business Committee is to assist and represent the most vulnerable small businesses - those in rural and underserved areas of our country – the true lifeblood of our economy. These businesses not only provide goods and services for communities that have been left behind, but they also provide the jobs that form the foundations of strong families and communities.
Even though rural and underserved small businesses have faced unprecedented challenges, whether from the global pandemic or skyrocketing inflation, they have continued to serve their communities and workforces. It is important to legislate sound policies that enable these small businesses to compete, innovate, and grow.
It is unfortunate that Democrats in Congress and the Biden Administration are doing the opposite. Instead of pro-growth policies to empower small businesses, they have shoved through wasteful spending and radical left-wing proposals to appease the most extreme elements of their base. Despite countless warnings from economic experts, the left’s tax-and-spend agenda has led to red-hot inflation and fragile supply chains, which have made America dependent on foreign adversaries for the most critical goods.
These careless policies have forced some small businesses to shutter their doors. Many others are struggling to keep their businesses open. This is unacceptable.
The late former Ranking Member of the House Small Business Subcommittee on Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural Development, Jim Hagedorn, was a champion for the most vulnerable small businesses. He will be truly missed by all members of the Small Business Committee.
In his absence, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-New Hartford) has stepped up. She has picked up the mantle and will champion this cause because the work to ensure the success of our rural and underserved small businesses is too big of a responsibility to let down. As someone who has owned and operated a rural small business, she understands the unique challenges facing the community. She has the confidence of the Republicans of this committee to fight for access to capital, resources, and tools for all small businesses. Whether it be for the family farms that keep food on the shelves, small manufacturers that are key to fixing our supply chains, or the many others in between, she will labor tirelessly to make sure the federal government works for them.
Our country faces numerous challenges. We cannot sit idly by and allow the Democrats to continue to over-tax ordinary Americans to advance the out-of-touch agenda of far-left special interests. Our small businesses need smart deregulation. They need lower taxes, not a 7% increase like President Biden is proposing. They need competent leaders willing to step up and push sane trade policies that no longer disadvantage American producers for the benefit of predatory foreign competitors.
When our small businesses are strong, our communities and the nation’s economy are strong. We can only achieve a strong economy when we, the federal government, give our small businesses the tools they need to grow.
