U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE

34–740 WASHINGTON : 2019

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING FOR THE 116TH 

CONGRESS 

HEARING 

BEFORE THE

COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS 

UNITED STATES 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

HEARING HELD 

FEBRUARY 6, 2019 

Small Business Committee Document Number 116–001 

Available via the GPO Website: www.govinfo.gov 

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Congress.#13
(II) 

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS 

NYDIA VELA ́ ZQUEZ, New York, Chairwoman 

ABBY FINKENAUER, Iowa 

ANDY KIM, New Jersey 

SHARICE DAVIDS, Kansas 

JARED GOLDEN, Maine 

JASON CROW, Colorado 

JUDY CHU, California 

MARC VEASEY, Texas 

DWIGHT EVANS, Pennsylvania 

BRAD SCHNEIDER, Illinois 

ADRIANO ESPAILLAT, New York 

ANTONIO DELGADO, New York 

CHRISSY HOULAHAN, Pennsylvania 

VACANT 

STEVE CHABOT, Ohio, Ranking Member 

AUMUA AMATA COLEMAN RADEWAGEN, American Samoa, Vice Ranking Member 

TRENT KELLY, Mississippi 

TROY BALDERSON, Ohio 

KEVIN HERN, Oklahoma 

JIM HAGEDORN, Minnesota 

PETE STAUBER, Minnesota 

TIM BURCHETT, Tennessee 

ROSS SPANO, Florida 

JOHN JOYCE, Pennsylvania 

ADAM MINEHARDT, Majority Staff Director 

MELISSA JUNG, Majority Deputy Staff Director and Chief Counsel 

KEVIN FITZPATRICK, Staff Director 

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(III) 

C O N T E N T S 

OPENING STATEMENT 

Page 

Hon. Nydia Vela ́zquez ............................................................................................. 1 

Hon. Steve Chabot ................................................................................................... 3 

APPENDIX 

Additional Material for the Record: 

Rules and Procedures ....................................................................................... 9 

Oversight Plan of the Committee on Small Business for the One Hundred 

Sixteenth Congress ....................................................................................... 23 

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(1) 

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2019 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, 

COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS, 

Washington, DC. 

The Committee met, pursuant to call, at 10:34 a.m., in Room 

2360, Rayburn House Office Building. Hon. Nydia Vela ́zquez 

[chairwoman of the Committee] presiding. 

Present: Representatives Vela ́zquez, Finkenauer, Kim, Davids, 

Golden, Crow, Chu, Veasey, Evans, Espaillat, Schneider, Delgado, 

Chabot, Radewagen, Kelly, Balderson, Hern, Hagedorn, Stauber, 

Burchett, Spano, and Joyce. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. Good morning, everyone. 

I call the Small Business Committee Organizational Meeting to 

order. 

I want to first welcome all returning and new Members. Before 

we introduce new Members, I want to recognize Ranking Member 

Steve Chabot, who has served on this Committee with me for so 

many years now. We both know what it is like being in the majority and the minority, and together we have proven just what bipartisanship looks like. Just as Mr. Chabot has done in his tenure as 

Chairman, I intend to continue this Committee’s history of working 

together to foster a healthy business climate for America’s entrepreneurs. I look forward to working with you and other Members 

of the Committee to accomplish this goal. 

Small businesses continue to make unprecedented contributions 

to our economy. They create nearly two-thirds of net new jobs and 

account for nearly half of all private sector employment. But, they 

need our help as they are facing challenges accessing capital, identifying a skilled workforce, and complying with an overly complex 

Tax Code. As we move forward, it is our duty to make sure they 

are given all the resources they need to prosper. 

But to do so it is important to address these issues in a constructive and inclusive manner. My belief has always been that there 

is not a Republican or Democratic approach to small businesses. 

Good ideas come from both sides of the aisle and we need to encourage that, which is why I will make it a priority to work in a 

bipartisan fashion. 

During the last 2 years we did just that and accomplished a 

great deal together. Small businesses deserve our partnership. We 

have a diverse Committee and that is our strength because we will 

ensure our work benefits all entrepreneurs, no matter their location, industry, or background. 

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I look forward to collaborating with the Ranking Member and 

with all Committee Members this Congress. 

Now, let me take this opportunity to introduce the Members on 

my side. There are a few new Democratic Members of the Committee. 

Congressman Marc Veasey, now in his fourth term, previously 

served in the Texas House of Representatives, and has been dedicated to addressing the challenges of many middle-class Americans. 

We are excited to have his experience. 

The rest of our new Members are from our ambitious crop of 

freshmen. 

Abby Finkenauer served in the Iowa House of Representatives 

before her election to Congress. She has a passion for rural economic development and will be a true asset to our Committee. 

Andy Kim brings extensive foreign affairs experience to Congress 

after serving at the Pentagon, the State Department, the White 

House National Security Council, and in Afghanistan as a civilian 

advisor. 

Sharice Davids from Kansas brings her knowledge as a businesswoman, lawyer, and professional mixed martial artist. Do not mess 

around with her. 

Jared Golden is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, and in 2014, 

he was elected to the Maine House of Representatives where he 

served as the Democratic Assistant Majority Leader in 2016. 

Jason Crow is a former Army Ranger and a lawyer who has 

served multiple tours overseas and earned a Bronze Star for his 

combat actions. As the son of small business owners, he understands the hard work our nation’s job creators put into creating 

jobs and growing our economy. Thank you for your service. 

Antonio Delgado hails from my home state of New York. He is 

a Rhodes Scholar with diverse professional experience that includes 

working in the music industry and as a lawyer where he dedicated 

significant pro bono work fighting for criminal justice reform. 

Chrissy Houlahan, like many of our colleagues, also served our 

country before being elected to Congress. She served in the Air 

Force, but also brings her background as an engineer and entrepreneur through her work here on the Committee. 

We welcome you all to Congress and are excited you will be serving on the House Small Business Committee. 

I would also like to welcome back the Members who served on 

the Committee in the 115th Congress. 

Judy Chu is in her sixth term in Congress and fifth with the 

Committee. She has a Ph.D. in psychology and also served in the 

California State Assembly. 

Joining us from Pennsylvania is Dwight Evans, who previously 

served as the Ranking Member of our Subcommittee on Economic 

Growth, Tax, and Capital Access. We are very lucky to have him 

back in his new position as the Committee’s Vice Chair. His dedication to small business issues is clear as he has served for over 35 

years in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives before coming 

to Congress. 

Mr. Schneider is in his third term serving on this Committee 

where his over 2 decades in business and management consulting 

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has helped him address the needs of small businesses as they hire 

and grow their businesses. 

Last, but not least, Adriano Espaillat, also from the great state 

of New York, is rejoining the Committee for his second term. Originally born in the Dominican Republic, he is the first Dominican 

American to serve in Congress. 

We are very fortunate to have you all back on this Committee. 

I now yield to the Ranking Member, Mr. Chabot, for his opening 

statement and to introduce his new Members. 

Mr. CHABOT. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. And as we 

begin I want to mention, as you did, that Chairwoman Vela ́zquez 

and I have served on this Committee for over 20 years together. 

Twenty-three to be exact, but who is counting? And we have both 

held the position of Chair and Ranking Member, depending on 

which party controlled the house. We have worked together in a 

very bipartisan manner at nearly every step of the way and I want 

to thank her for continuing this tradition, at least so far in the 

116th Congress, although we are not very far in it yet but I am 

sure we are going to continue those bipartisan efforts. 

For new Members of Congress, I am sure that a lot of you have 

seen Committee hearings on TV or on the Internet that have been 

filled with bitter partisanship and that could give a preconceived 

notion of how things work around here but let me assure you that 

while you may find that in other Committees that you sit on, you 

will not find it here, at least not usually. Of course, there will be 

philosophical differences. We have real differences on health care 

and taxes and a whole range of issues, but on this Committee we 

do truly work together across the aisle for the betterment of America’s small businesses. 

We do this because small businesses are the key to our economy. 

We must ensure that small companies are healthy so they can create jobs and continue to grow. Policies that expand capital access, 

create new incentives, and spur investment will continue that economic expansion. 

Small businesses employ over half of America’s workers and create about 70 percent of new jobs in the American economy. They 

represent approximately 99 percent. So 99 out of 100 businesses in 

America are by definition small businesses. They comprise about 

half of the nation’s private sector payroll and produce about half 

of our private non-farm gross domestic product. 

The past 2 years have brought great news for small firms. Optimism continues to push all-time highs. Small firms are investing 

more capital into their businesses. Wage growth for employees at 

small firms continues to grow and profits are up. But as with everything, we can always fine tune the engine to get a better performance. 

I look forward to working with you Madam Chairwoman and the 

other Members of the Committee on both sides of the aisle over the 

next 2 years. 

Now, I would like to introduce our new Members, the new Republican Members of the Small Business Committee. 

I will begin with Representative Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, who 

started his first small business in 1985 specializing in computer 

and software applications. Then he started saving to purchase his 

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first McDonald’s restaurant. Starting several small business ventures along the way, writing computer programs to automate tasks 

for other businesses, real estate, and even hog farming. We welcome him here. 

Representative Jim Hagedorn of Minnesota started his career as 

a congressional staffer for Minnesota congressman Arlan Strangeland here in Washington, D.C. Later, he worked as director for legislative and public affairs for the Financial Management Service, 

the U.S. Department of Treasury, and in the Congressional Affairs 

Shop for the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. 

Representative Pete Stauber of Minnesota began his career as a 

police officer in the early 1990s. He served both as the president 

of the Law Enforcement Labor Services Union, Local 363, and as 

an area commander with the Duluth Police Department. He later 

became a city councilman and county commissioner, and he is a 

heck of a hockey player as well, both at the college level, winning 

national championships and the pros as well. 

Representative Tim Burchett of Tennessee founded a small business early in his life. He then dedicated himself to public service, 

serving in the Tennessee State House, Senate, and most recently 

as mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. And we welcome him as well. 

Representative Ross Spano of Florida spent most of his career as 

a shareholder of his own law practice, representing individuals and 

small businesses in Hillsborough County. In 2012, he successfully 

won a seat in Florida’s House of Representatives where he served 

for 3 terms. 

Representative John Joyce of Pennsylvania, is a physician who 

began his medical career working with the Navy at Portsmouth 

Naval Hospital in Virginia during Operations Desert Shield and 

Desert Storm. He returned to his hometown to open his own practice and has been caring for Central Pennsylvanians ever since. 

We welcome all our new Members, and this Committee considers 

many issues that are related to our nation’s economy, so I know the 

knowledge and expertise of our new Members will be extremely 

helpful. We welcome all of you to the Committee. 

I also want to recognize the Republican Members who are returning to the Committee. 

Amata Radewagen of American Samoa, who will serve as our 

Vice Ranking Member for the 116th Congress. And Trent Kelly of 

Mississippi and Troy Balderson of Ohio. Each of them has made 

significant contributions to our Committee’s consideration of policy. 

And I know that their experience will be invaluable as we contemplate the critical issues facing our nation’s small businesses. 

So Madam Chairwoman, I look forward to another 2 productive 

years working with you and working on policies that will help 

America’s entrepreneurs succeed. 

And I yield back the balance of my time. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. Thank you. The gentleman yields 

back. And I look forward to the discussion and debates that I know 

will transpire over the next 2 years. 

And now we will move to the rules package. With today’s rules 

package, I believe we are making it clear to the small business 

community that we are committed to working together and advocating on their behalf. 

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Pursuant to Clause 2(a) of House Rule 11, today’s first order of 

business is to adopt the Committee rules for the 116th Congress. 

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 remain largely unchanged from the 115th Congress. The rules have been modified slightly to conform with House Rules adopted last month. That 

change clarifies that weekends and holidays when the House is not 

in session are not counted for purposes of the 3 days rule for markups. Hearings are one of our best platforms and offer tremendous 

insight and we welcome non-Committee Members to participate. 

Our rules now make it clear that they are welcome to attend our 

hearings with appropriate notice and to question witnesses with 

the approval of the Chair and Ranking Member. However, they 

cannot be counted for purposes of a quorum or to participate in any 

vote. 

The rules package also institutes a longstanding practice of the 

Committee to extend the 5 minute oral testimony of a witness as 

long as the Chair and Ranking Member agree. 

Finally, the rules rename three of our Subcommittees which reflect the changing nature of small business challenges. The new 

Subcommittees are the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure, formerly Contracting and Workforce; the Subcommittee 

on Innovation and Workforce Development, formerly Health and 

Technology; and the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship, formerly Agriculture, Energy, and Trade. 

This Committee needs to run in a cooperative manner. I believe 

the best way to do that 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. 

I would like to thank the staff on both sides for working closely 

on the rules package. Thank you. 

At this point I would like to yield to Ranking Member Chabot for 

any comments he may have on the rules. 

Mr. CHABOT. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. I want to thank 

you and your staff for working so collaboratively on the Committee 

rules package. This package provides continued protection for the 

rights of the minority, now that we are in the minority, and we had 

those same protections for my colleagues on the other side of the 

aisle when they were in the minority. And the opportunity for minorities’ input into the operation of the Committee. 

I want to take a moment to highlight just several rules, and you 

have already mentioned these. But the first, the minority will continue to have control of fully a third of the Committee’s budget. 

This rule goes a long way toward maintaining the collegial tone of 

the Committee. 

Second, witnesses, as you mentioned, will limit their oral presentation to 5 minutes of written testimony. They can summarize it, 

of course, which has been the Committee’s rule in the past. In the 

new rules the Chairwoman, in consultation with the Ranking Member, may now extend that time if we think that that would be helpful for the Committee. 

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Finally, Members who are not Members of the Committee on 

Small Business occasionally join the Committee to participate in a 

hearing. These Members are not permitted to vote for the purpose 

of establishing a quorum or on any matter, but in the proposed 

rules may question witnesses if permitted by the Chair in consultation with the Ranking Member. We support those efforts and those 

changes. 

Again, I appreciate the Chairwoman and her staff for working 

closely with the minority in bringing this rules package forward. 

And I urge my colleagues to support it. 

And I yield back the balance of my time. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. Thank you, Mr. Chabot. 

Are there any Members that wish to be recognized on the rules? 

The Committee now moves to consideration of the rules package. 

The clerk will read the title of the document. 

The CLERK. Rules and Procedures Adopted by the Committee. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. I ask unanimous consent that the 

rules package be considered as read and open for amendment in its 

entirety. 

Does any Member seek recognition for the purpose of offering an 

amendment? 

Seeing none, the question is on adopting the rules. 

All those in favor say aye. 

All those opposed say no. 

In the opinion of the Chair, the ayes have it and the proposed 

rules are adopted and staff is authorized to make technical and 

grammatical changes. 

Pursuant to House Rules, the rules adopted by the Committee on 

Small Business for the 116th Congress will be published in the congressional record and made available to the public on the Committee’s website. 

Now, we will approve our Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking 

Members. The Full Committee Vice Chair will be Representative 

Dwight Evans, who was elected by a vote of the Democratic Caucus. 

Representative Jared Golden will be the Chair of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure. 

Representative Andy Kim will be Chair of the Subcommittee on 

Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access. 

Representative Jason Crow will be the Chair of the Subcommittee on Innovation and Workforce Development. 

Representative Judy Chu will be Chair of the Subcommittee on 

Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations. 

And Representative Abby Finkenauer will be the Chair on the 

Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship. 

I now yield to the Ranking Member, Mr. Chabot, for any remarks 

that he may have to introduce the Subcommittee Ranking Members. 

Mr. CHABOT. Thank you, Madam Chairwoman. 

I will now introduce the Subcommittee Ranking Members for the 

republican side of the Committee. 

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Representative John Joyce—I would not mind if the Members 

could kind of just raise their hand so everybody knows who they 

are. 

Representative John Joyce from Pennsylvania will be the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship. 

Representative Troy Balderson of Ohio will be the Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Innovation and Workforce Development. 

Representative Kevin Hern from Oklahoma will be the Ranking 

Member for the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access. 

Representative Ross Spano from Florida will be the Ranking 

Member for the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and 

Regulations. 

And Representative Pete Stauber from Minnesota will be the 

Ranking Member for the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure. 

We have an excellent crop of newcomers on the Committee on 

our side, and I know that the folks on the other side of the aisle 

are pretty good, too. And these folks will be going along with the 

really fantastic Members that are already on the Committee. So we 

appreciate them being here. 

And I look forward to working with our colleagues on the other 

side of the aisle in the 116th Congress, and as we have already indicated, we actually accomplish a lot in a bipartisan manner on 

this Committee and we appreciate that. 

And I now yield back. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. Thank you. 

I move that the list of Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members and Vice Chair as set forth in the roster be approved. 

All those in favor say aye. 

Those opposed say no. 

In the opinion of the Chair the ayes have it and the Chairs and 

Ranking Members are appointed. 

This concludes the order of business for today’s meeting. 

Does any Member seek recognition for debate before we conclude? 

If not, without—yes? 

Mr. BURCHETT. I am Tim Burchett. I am a new Member. I am 

not sure if I am breaking protocol here but I saw on the news 

where you stepped up and did the right thing. I saw in your district where there was, I believe a jail without heat. And as a county 

mayor, I know that a lot of people in our jails are not guilty and 

a lot of people in Knox County maybe do not speak the language 

or are just caught in a bad situation financially, and I wanted to 

thank you for looking at the least amongst us. I cannot imagine 

anything more horrible than being in a jail or knowing that your 

loved one is in there and did not have heat or anything there in 

horrible weather conditions. So I wanted to thank you. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. Thank you so much. 

Mr. BURCHETT. And if that costs me votes in Knox County, so 

be it. But thank you. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. Thank you so much. 

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Mr. CHABOT. My guess is it will not. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. I appreciate it. Really appreciate it. 

Any other Member who wishes to make any comment or ask any 

questions? 

If not, without objection, this meeting of the Committee on Small 

Business stands adjourned and the Committee will stand in recess 

for a few moments to prepare for the Committee hearing. 

Thank you. Thank you all. 

[Whereupon, at 10:56 a.m., the Committee was adjourned.] 

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A P P E N D I X 

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Rules and Procedures 

Adopted by the 

Committee on Small Business 

United States House of Representatives 

116'11 Congress, 2019-2020 

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS 

(A) Rules of the Committee. The Rules of the House of Representatives, in total (but 

especially with respect to the operations of committees Rule X, cl. I ( q), cl. 2, cl. 3(1), 

and Rule XI), are the rules of the Committee on Small Business ("Committee") to the 

extent applicable and are incorporated by reference. 

(B) Appointments by the Chair. Pursuant to the Rules of the House, the Chair shall 

designate a Member of the Committee Majority to serve as Vice Chair of the 

Committee. The Vice Chair shall preside at any meeting or hearing during the 

temporary absence of the Chair. The Chair also reserves the right to designate a 

Member of the Committee Majority to serve as the Chair at a hearing or meeting. 

2. REFERRAL OF BILLS BY THE CHAIR 

The Chair will retain consideration of all legislation referred to the Committee by the 

Speaker. No action will be required of a Subcommittee before legislation is considered for 

report by the Committee. Subcommittee chairs, pursuant to the rules set out herein, may hold 

hearings on any bill referred to the Committee. 

3. SUBCOMMITTEES 

(A)Generally. Each Subcommittee of the Committee is part of the Committee and is 

subject to the authority and direction of the Committee, and to the Rules of the House 

and the rules adopted herein, to the extent applicable. The Chairman and Ranking 

Member of the Committee are ex officio Members of all Subcommittees for the 

purpose of any meeting conducted by a Subcommittee. 

(B) The Committee shall be organized into the following five subcommittees: 

( 1) Subcommittee on Rural Development, Agriculture, Trade, and Entrepreneurship 

This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6) Democratic Members and four 

(4) Republican Members) will address policies that enhance rural economic 
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growth, increasing America's energy independence and ensuring that America's 

small businesses can compete effectively in a global marketplace. 

• Oversight of agricultural policies. 

• Oversight of environmental issues and regulations (including agencies 

such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the Army Corps of 

Engineers). 

• Oversight of energy issues, including expansion of domestic resources, 

whether they are renewable or non-renewable. 

• Oversight of international trade policy with particular emphasis on 

agencies that provide direct assistance to small businesses, such as: the 

Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office oflnternational Trade, the 

Department of Commerce's United States Export Assistance Centers, the 

Department of Agriculture's Foreign Agricultural Service, and the 

Export-Import Bank. 

• Oversight of infringement of intellectual property rights by foreign 

competition. 

• Oversight ofSBA entrepreneurial development programs, including 

Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, 

Veteran Business Outreach Centers, and SCORE. 

(2) Subcommittee on Innovation and Workforce Development 

This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6) Democratic Members and four 

(4) Republican Members) will address how innovation promotes economic 

growth and job creation by small businesses. In addition, the Subcommittee will 

examine small business job growth through the creation and adoption of 

advanced technologies. The Subcommittee will review the broad scope of 

workforce issues that affect the ability of small businesses to obtain and maintain 

qualified employees. 

• Oversight of all federal policies that affect the workforce including, but 

not limited to, the roles of the Department of Labor and the National 

Labor Relations Board. 

• Oversight of workforce issues, including but not limited to health care, 

retirement, and labor challenges facing small businesses. 

• Oversight of general technology issues, including intellectual property 

policy in the United States. 

• Oversight of United States telecommunications policies including, but not 

limited to, the National Broadband Plan and allocation of electromagnetic 

spectrum. 

• Oversight of the Small Business Innovation Research Program. 

• Oversight of the Small Business Technology Transfer Program. 

(3) Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access 

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This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6) Democratic Members and four 

(4) Republican Members) will evaluate the operation of the financial markets in 

the United States and their ability to provide needed capital to small businesses. 

In addition, the Subcommittee will review federal programs, especially those 

overseen by the SBA, aimed at assisting entrepreneurs in obtaining needed 

capital. Since the tax policy plays an integral role in access to capital, this 

Committee also will examine the impact of federal tax policies on small 

businesses. 

• Oversight of capital access and financial markets. 

• Implementation ofthe Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer 

Protection Act. 

• SBA financial assistance programs, including guaranteed loans, 

microloans, certified development company loans, and small business 

investment companies. 

• Oversight of the Department of Agriculture business and industry 

guaranteed loan program. 

• Oversight of general tax policy affecting small businesses. 

• The management of the SBA disaster loan program. 

(4) Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight, and Regulations 

This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6) Democratic Members and four 

(4) Republican Members) will probe the efficient operation of government 

programs that affect small businesses, including the SBA, and develop proposals 

to make them operate in a more cost-effective manner. This Subcommittee also 

will review the regulatory burdens imposed on small businesses and how those 

burdens may be alleviated. 

• Oversight of general issues affecting small businesses and federal 

agencies. 

• Oversight of the management of the SBA. 

• Oversight of the SBA Inspector General. 

• Implementation ofthe Regulatory Flexibility Act. 

• Oversight of the Office oflnformation and Regulatory Affairs at the 

Office of Management and Budget. 

• Use of the Congressional Review Act. 

• Transparency of the federal rulemaking process as required by the 

Administrative Procedure and Data Quality Acts. 

• Implementation of the Paperwork Reduction Act. 

(5) Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure 

This Subcommittee (which will consist of six (6) Democratic Members and four 

(4) Republican Members) will assess the federal procurement system, including 

those programs designed specifically to enhance participation by small 

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businesses in providing goods and services to the federal government. The 

Subcommittee will review the broad scope of opportunities available to small 

businesses for rebuilding and modernizing the nations' infrastructure. 

• Oversight of government-wide procurement practices and programs 

affecting small businesses. 

• Oversight offederal procurement policies that inhibit or expand 

participation by small businesses in the federal contracting marketplace. 

• All contracting programs established by the Small Business Act, 

including HUBZone, 8(a), Women-, and Service Disabled VeteranOwned Small Business Programs. 

• Technical assistance provided to federal contractors and prospective 

contractors through SBA personnel, Offices of Small and Disadvantaged 

Business Utilization, and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. 

• The SBA Surety Bond guarantee program. 

• General oversight of programs available to small businesses in 

modernizing and strengthening the nation's infrastructure. 

(C) Powers and Duties of Subcommittees. Each Subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold 

hearings, receive evidence, and report to the Committee on any matters referred to it. 

Prior to the scheduling of any meeting or hearing of a Subcommittee, the Chair of the 

Subcommittee shall obtain the approval of the Chair of the Committee. 

(D) Hearing Time and Date. No hearing or meeting of a Subcommittee shall take place at 

the same time as the meeting or hearing of the full Committee or another 

Subcommittee, provided however, that the Subcommittee Chairs may hold field 

hearings that conflict with those held by other Subcommittees of the Committee. 

4. COMMITTEE STAFF 

(A) Majority Staff. The employees of the Committee, except those assigned to the 

Minority as provided below, shall be appointed and assigned, and may be removed by 

the Chair of the Committee. The Chair shall fix their remuneration and they shall be 

under the general supervision and direction of the Chair. 

(B) Minority Staff The employees of the Committee assigned to the Minority shall be 

appointed and assigned, and their remuneration determined, as the Ranking Minority 

Member of the Committee shall decide. 

(C) Subcommittee Staff. There shall be no separate staff assigned to Subcommittees. 

The Chair and Ranking Minority Member shall endeavor to ensure that sufficient 

Committee staff is made available in order that each Subcommittee may carry out the 

responsibilities set forth in Rule 3, supra. 

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5. MEETINGS 

(A) Regular Meetings. The regular meeting day of the Committee shall be the second 

Wednesday of every month when the House is in session. The Chair may dispense with 

the meeting of the Committee, if in the sole discretion ofthe Chair, there is no need for 

such meeting. 

(B) Additional Meetings. Additional meetings may be called as deemed necessary by the 

Chair or at the request of the majority Members of the Committee pursuant to Rule XI, 

cl. 2( c) of the rules of the House. At least 3 days' notice, pursuant to Rule XI, cl. 

2(g)(3)(A), of such an additional meeting shall be given unless the Chair, with the 

concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, determines that there is good cause to call 

the meeting on less notice or upon a vote by a majority of the Committee (a quorum 

being present). Announcements of the meeting shall be published promptly in the Daily 

Digest and made publicly available in electronic form. 

(C) Business to be Considered. The determination of the business to be considered at each 

meeting shall be made by the Chair subject to limitations set forth in House Rule XI, cl. 

2(c). 

(D) Meeting Materials. The Chair shall provide to each Member of the Committee, to the 

extent practicable, at least 48 hours in advance of a meeting, a copy of the bill, 

resolution, report or other item to be considered at the meeting, but no later than 24 hours 

before the meeting. Such material also shall be made available to the public at least 24 

hours in advance in electronic form. 

(E) Special and Emergency Meetings. The rules for notice and meetings as set forth in Rule 

5 of these Rules shall not apply to special and emergency meetings. Clause 2(c)(2) of 

Rule XI and clause 2(g)(3)(A) of Rule XI of the Rules ofthe House, as applicable, shall 

apply to such meetings. 

6. NOTICE AND ANNOUNCEMENT OF HEARINGS 

(A) Announcement of Hearings. Public announcement ofthe date, place, and subject matter 

of any hearing to be conducted by the Committee shall be made no later than seven (7) 

calendar days before the commencement of the hearing. To the extent possible, the seven 

days shall be counted from 168 hours before the time of the Committee's hearing. 

(B) Exception. The Chair, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, or upon a 

vote by the majority of the Committee (a quorum being present), may authorize a hearing 

to commence on less than 7 days' notice. 

(C) Witness Lists. Unless the Chair determines it is impracticable to do so, the Committee 

shall make a tentative witness list available at the time it makes the public announcement 

of the hearing. !fa tentative witness list is not made available at the time of the 
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announcement of the hearing, such witness list shall be made available as soon as 

practicable after such announcement is made. A final witness list shall be issued by the 

Committee no later than 48 hours prior to the commencement of the hearing. 

(D) Hearing Material. The Chair shall provide to all Members of the Committee, as soon as 

practicable after the announcement of the hearing, a memorandum explaining the subject 

matter of the hearing and any official reports from departments and agencies on the 

subject matter of the hearing. Such material shall be made available to all Members of 

the Committee no later than 48 hours before the commencement of the hearing, unless 

the Chair, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, determines that certain 

reports from departments or agencies should not be made available prior to the 

commencement of the hearing. Material provided by the Chair to all Members, whether 

provided prior to or at the hearing, shall be placed on the Committee website no later than 

48 hours after the commencement of the hearing, unless such material contains sensitive 

or classified information, in which case such material shall be handled pursuant to Rule 

16 of the Committee's Rules. 

7. MEETINGS AND HEARINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC 

(A) Meetings. Each meeting of the Committee or its Subcommittees for the transaction of 

business, including the markup of legislation, shall be open to the public, including to 

radio, television, and still photography coverage, except as provided by House Rule XI, 

cl. 4. If the majority of Members of the Committee or Subcommittee present at the 

meeting determine by a recorded vote in open session that all or part of the remainder of 

the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public because the disclosure of matters to 

be considered would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law 

enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person or 

otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House; provided however, that no person 

other than Members of the Committee, and such congressional staff and such executive 

branch representatives they may authorize, shall be present in any meeting which has 

been closed to the public. 

(B) Hearings. Each hearing conducted by the Committee or its Subcommittees shall be open 

to the public, including radio, television and still photography coverage. If the majority 

of Members of the Committee or Subcommittee present at the hearing determine by a 

recorded vote in open session that all or part of the remainder of the hearing on that day 

shall be closed to the public because the disclosure of matters to be considered would 

endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or 

would tend to defame, degrade, or incriminate any person or otherwise would violate any 

law or rule of the House; provided however, that the Committee or Subcommittee may by 

the same procedure also vote to close one subsequent day of hearings. Notwithstanding 

the requirements of the preceding sentence, a majority of those present (if the requisite 

number of Members are present under Committee rules for the purpose of taking 

testimony) may vote: (i) to close the hearing for the sole purpose of discussing whether 

the testimony or evidence to be received would endanger the national security, would 

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compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or violate Rule XI, cl. 2(k)(5) of the 

House or (ii) to close the hearing, as provided clause 2(k)(5) of Rule XI of the House. 

(C) Participation in Subcommittee Hearings. The Chair and Ranking Minority Member are ex 

officio Members of all Subcommittees for any hearing conducted by a Subcommittee. 

Members of the Committee who wish to participate in a hearing of the Subcommittee to 

which they are not Members shall make such request to the Chair and the Ranking 

Minority Member of the Subcommittee at the commencement of the hearing. The Chair, 

after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member of the Subcommittee, shall grant 

such request. 

(D) Non-Participatory Attendance by Other Members of the House. No Member of the House 

may be excluded from non-participatory attendance at any hearing of the Committee or 

any Subcommittee, unless the House of Representatives shall by majority vote authorize 

the Committee or Subcommittees, for purposes of a particular subject of investigation, to 

close its hearing to Members by the same procedures designated to close hearings to the 

public. 

(E) Procedure to Participate. Members of Congress who are not Members of the Committee 

but would like to participate in a hearing shall notify the Chair and the Ranking Minority 

Member and submit a formal request no later than 24 hours before the commencement of 

the meeting or hearing. Such Member may not vote on any matter; be counted for the 

purpose of establishing a quorum; participate in questioning a witness under the 5-Minute 

rule, unless permitted to do so by the Chair in consultation with the Ranking Minority 

Member; raise points of order; or offer amendments or motions. 

(F) Audio and Video Coverage. To the maximum extent practicable, the Committee shall 

provide audio and video coverage of each hearing or meeting for the transaction of 

business in a manner that allows the public to easily listen and view the proceedings and 

shall maintain the recordings of such coverage in a manner easily accessible to the public. 

Operation and use of any Committee internet broadcast system shall be fair and 

nonpartisan, and in accordance with clauses 4 (b) and (f) of House Rule XI and all other 

applicable rules of the Committee and the House. 

8. WITNESSES 

(A) Number of Witnesses. For any hearing conducted by the Committee or Subcommittee 

there shall be no more than four non-governmental witnesses of which the Ranking 

Minority Member of the Committee or Subcommittee (as appropriate) is entitled to select 

one witness for the hearing. 

(B) Witnesses Selected by the Minority. Witnesses selected by the Ranking Minority 

Member of the Committee or Subcommittee shall be invited to testify by the Chair of the 

Committee or Subcommittee (as appropriate). Rule 6(A) shall apply with equal force to 

witnesses selected by the Ranking Minority Member of the Committee or Subcommittee. 

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(C) Small Business Week Exception. The limitations set forth in the preceding paragraph 

shall not apply if the Committee holds a hearing to honor the work of the small business 

community in conjunction with the annual celebration of Small Business Week. Witness 

limitations for such a hearing shall be determined by the Chair in consultation with the 

Ranking Minority Member. 

(D) Statement of Witnesses. 

(I) Insofar as is practicable, each witness who is to appear before the Committee or 

Subcommittee shall file an electronic copy of the written testimony with the 

Committee and the Ranking Minority Member no later than 48 hours before the 

commencement of the hearing. In addition, the witness shall provide 25 copies of 

the written testimony by the commencement of the hearing. The Chair may waive 

the requirement by the witness providing 25 copies in which case the Committee or 

Subcommittee shall provide the 25 copies. 

(2) Each witness shall limit his or her oral presentation to a five-minute summary of the 

written testimony, unless the Chair in consultation with the Ranking Minority 

Member extends this time period. 

(3) Insofar as is practicable, each non-governmental witness shall provide to the 

Committee and the Ranking Minority Member, no later than 48 hours before the 

commencement of the hearing, a curriculum vitae or other statement describing their 

education, employment, professional affiliation or other background information 

pertinent to their testimony. 

(E) Witness Disclosure. As required by Rule XI, cl. 2(g) of the Rules of the House, each nongovernmental witness before the commencement of the hearing shall file with the Chair a 

disclosure form detailing any contracts or grants that the witness has with the federal 

government, as well as the amount and country of origin of any payment or contract 

related to the subject of the hearing originating with a foreign government. Such 

information shall be posted on the Committee website within 24 hours after the witness 

appeared at the hearing. 

(F) Failure to Comply. The failure to provide the materials set forth by the deadlines set forth 

in these rules may be grounds for excluding both the oral and written testimony of the 

witness unless waived by the Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee. 

(G) Public Access to Witness Materials. The Committee will provide public access to printed 

materials, including the testimony of witnesses in electronic form on the Committee's 

website no later than 24 hours after the hearing is adjourned. Supplemental material 

provided after the hearing adjourns shall be placed on the Committee website no later 

than 24 hours after receipt of such material. 
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(H) Questioning of Witnesses. Except when the Committee adopts a motion pursuant to 

subdivisions (B) and (C) of clause 2(i)(2) of Rule XI of the Rules of the House, 

Committee Members may question witnesses only when they have been recognized by 

the Chair for that purpose. Members shall have the opportunity, as set forth in Rule XI, 

cl. 2 (j) of the Rules of the House, to question each witness on the panel for a period not 

to exceed five minutes. For any hearing, the Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee 

may offer a motion to extend the questioning of a witness or witnesses by the Member 

identified in the motion for more than five minutes as set forth in Rule XI, el. 2(j)(B). No 

Member may be recognized for a second period of interrogation, subject to the 5-minute 

rule, until each Member present, who wishes to be recognized, has been recognized at 

least once. 

(I) Order of Questioning. The Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee shall commence 

questioning followed by the Ranking Minority Member. Thereafter, questioning shall 

alternate between the majority and minority Members. Before the gavel has been struck, 

or in the case of Members arriving simultaneously, the order of questioning shall be 

based on seniority among Members of his or her own party. After the gavel has been 

struck, Members first to arrive shall have priority over Members of his or her own party. 

Members of Congress who are not Members of the Committee, if allowed by the Chair, 

may be recognized for questioning of witnesses but only after all Committee Members 

have first been recognized. 

(J) Consideration of Ratio. In recognizing Members to question witnesses, the Chair may 

take into consideration the ratio of majority and minority Members present in such a 

manner as to not disadvantage the Members of either party. 

9. QUORUM 

(A) Determining a Quorum. A quorum, for purposes of reporting a measure or 

recommendation, shall be a majority of the Committee Members. 

(B) Quorum for a Hearing. For purposes of taking testimony or receiving evidence, a quorum 

shall be one Member from the Majority and one Member from the Minority. The Chair 

of the Committee or Subcommittee shall exercise reasonable comity by waiting for the 

Ranking Minority Member even if a quorum is present before striking the gavel to 

commence the hearing. For hearings held by the Committee or a Subcommittee in a 

location other than the Committee's hearing room in Washington, DC, a quorum shall be 

deemed to be present if the Chair of the Committee or Subcommittee is present. 

10. RECORD VOTES 

(A) When Provided. A record vote of the Committee shall be provided on any question 

before the Committee upon the request of any Member of the Committee. A record of 

the vote of each Member of the Committee on a matter before the Committee shall be 

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available in electronic form within 48 hours of such record vote, and, with respect to any 

roll call vote on any motion to amend or report, shall be included in the report of the 

Committee showing the total number of votes cast for and against and the names of those 

Members voting for and against. 

(B) Proxy Voting. No vote by any member of the Committee with respect to any measure or 

matter may be cast by proxy. 

(C) Public Access to Record Votes. The Chair of the Committee shall, not later than 24 hours 

after consideration of a bill, resolution, report or other item, cause the text of the reported 

item and any amendment adopted thereto to be made publicly available in electronic 

form. 

11. SUBPOENAS 

(A) Authorization and Issuance. A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the Committee 

in the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or activities to require the 

attendance and testimony of such witness and the production of such books, records, 

correspondence, memoranda, papers and documents, as deemed necessary. Such 

subpoena shall be authorized by a majority of the full Committee. The requirement that 

the authorization of a subpoena require a majority vote may be waived by the Ranking 

Minority Member of the Committee. 

(B) Issuance During Congressional Recess. The Chair may issue a subpoena, in consultation 

with the Ranking Minority Member, when the House is out for session for more than 

three legislative days. 

12. AMENDMENTS DURING MARKUP 

(A) Availability of Amendments. Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before 

the Committee must be made available in written form by any Member of the Committee. 

If such amendment is not available in written form when requested, the Chair shall allow 

an appropriate period for the provision thereof and may adjourn the markup to provide 

sufficient time for the provision of such written amendment. Such period or adjournment 

shall not prejudice the offering of such amendment. 

(B) Drafting and Filing of Amendments. For amendments to be accepted during markup, 

there is no requirement that the amendments be filed prior to commencement of the 

markup or prepared with the assistance of the Office of Legislative Counsel. Even 

though it is not necessary, Members seeking to amend legislation during markup should 

draft amendments with the assistance ofthe Office of Legislative Counsel and consult 

with the Chair or Ranking Minority Member's staff(as appropriate) in the preparation of 

such amendments. 

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13. POSTPONEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS 

(D) When Postponement is Permissible. The Chair, in consultation with the Ranking 

Minority Member, may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on 

the question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an amendment. The Chair 

may resume postponed proceedings, but no later than 24 hours after such postponement, 

unless the House is not in session or there are conflicts with Member schedules that make 

it unlikely a quorum will be present to conduct business on the postponed proceeding. In 

such cases, the Chair will consult with Members to set a time as early as possible to 

resume proceedings but in no event later than the next meeting date as set forth in Rule 5 

of these Rules. 

(A) Resumption of Proceedings. When proceedings resume on a postponed question, 

notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous question, an underlying 

proposition shall remain subject to further debate or amendment to the same extent as 

when the question was postponed. 

14. COMMITTEE RECORDS 

(A)The Committee shall keep a complete record of all actions, which shall include a record 

of the votes on any question on which a recorded vote is demanded. The result of any 

vote by the Committee, or if applicable by a Subcommittee, including a voice vote shall 

be posted on the Committee's website within 24 hours after the vote has been taken. 

Such record shall include a description of the amendment, motion, order, or other 

proposition, the name of the Member voting for and against such amendment, motion, 

order, or other proposition, and the names of Members present but not voting. For any 

amendment, motion, order, or other proposition decided by voice vote, the record shall 

include a description and whether the voice vote was in favor or against. 

(B) Transcripts. The Committee shall keep a complete record of all Committee and 

Subcommittee activity which, in the case of a meeting or hearing transcript, shall include 

a substantially verbatim account of the remarks actually made during the proceedings 

subject only to technical, grammatical, and typographical corrections authorized by the 

person making the remarks. 

(C) Availability of Records. The records of the Committee at the National Archives and 

Records Administration shall be made available in accordance with Rule VII of the Rules 

of the House. The Chair of the Committee shall notify the Ranking Member of the 

Committee of any decision, pursuant to Rule VII, cl. 3(b)(3) or cl. 4 (b), to withhold a 

record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the Committee for a 

determination of the written request of any Member of the Committee. 

(D) Publishing and Posting of Records. The Committee Rules shall be made publicly 

available in electronic form and published in the Congressional Record not later than 60 

days after the Chair of the Committee is elected in each odd-numbered year. 

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15. COMMITTEE WEBSITE 

The Chair shall maintain an official Committee website for the purpose of furthering the 

Committee's legislative and oversight responsibilities, including communicating information 

about Committee's activities to Committee Members and other Members of the House. The 

Ranking Minority Member may maintain a similar website for the same purpose, including 

communicating information about the activities of the Minority to Committee Members and 

other Members of the House. 

16. ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION 

(A) Access to classified or sensitive information supplied to the Committee or 

Subcommittees and attendance at closed sessions of the Committee or a Subcommittee 

shall be limited to Members and necessary Committee staff and stenographic reporters 

who have appropriate security clearance when the Chair determines that such access or 

attendance is essential to the functioning of the Committee or one of its Subcommittees. 

(B) Procedures Governing Availability. The procedures to be followed in granting access to 

those hearings, records, data, charts, and files of the Committee which involve classified 

information or information deemed to be sensitive shall be as follows: 

(!) Only Members of the House of Representatives and specifically designated 

Committee staff of the Committee on Small Business may have access to such 

information. 

(2) Members who desire to read materials that are in possession of the Committee shall 

notify the Clerk of the Committee in writing. 

(3) The Clerk of the Committee will maintain an accurate access log, which identifies 

the circumstances surrounding access to the information, without revealing the 

material examined. 

(4) If the material desired to be reviewed is material which the Committee or 

Subcommittee deems to be sensitive enough to require special handling, before 

receiving access to such information, individuals will be required to sign an access 

information sheet acknowledging such access and that the individual has read and 

understands the procedures under which access is being granted. 

(5) Material provided for review under this rule shall not be removed from a specified 

room within the Committee offices. 

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(6) Individuals reviewing materials under this rule shall make certain that the materials 

are returned to the proper custodian. 

(7) No reproductions or recordings may be made of any portion of such materials. 

(8) The contents of such information shall not be divulged to any person in any way, 

form, shape, or manner and shall not be discussed with any person who has not 

received the information in the manner authorized by the rules of the Committee. 

(9) When not being examined in the manner described herein, such information will be 

kept in secure safes or locked file cabinets within the Committee offices. 

( 1 0) These procedures only address access to information the Committee or 

Subcommittee deems to be sensitive enough to require special treatment. 

(II) lf a Member of the House of Representatives believes that certain sensitive 

information should not be restricted as to dissemination or use, the Member may 

petition the Committee or Subcommittee to so rule. With respect to information and 

materials provided to the Committee by the Executive Branch or an independent 

agency as that term is defined in 44 U.S.C. § 3502, the classification of information 

and materials as determined by the Executive Branch or independent agency shall 

prevail unless affirmatively changed by the Committee or Subcommittee involved, 

after consultation with the Executive Branch or independent agency. 

(12) Other materials in the possession of the Committee are to be handled in the 

accordance with normal practices and traditions of the Committee. 

17. OTHER PROCEDURES 

The Chair of the Committee may establish such other procedures and take such actions as 

may be necessary to carry out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the 

Committee. 

18. AMENDMENTS TO COMMITTEE RULES 

The rules of the Committee may be modified, amended, or repealed by a majority vote of the 

Members, at a meeting specifically called for such purpose, but only if written notice of the 

proposed change or changes has been provided to each Member of the Committee at least 72 

hours prior to the time of the meeting of the Committee to consider such change or changes. 

19. BUDGET AND TRAVEL 

(A) Allocation of Budget. From the amount provided to the Committee in the primary 

expense resolution adopted by the House of Representatives in the 116'h Congress, the 

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Chair, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall designate one-third of 

the budget under the direction of the Ranking Minority Member for the purposes of 

minority staff, travel expenses of minority staff and Members, and minority office 

expenses. 

(B) Authorization of Travel. The Chair may authorize travel in connection with activities or 

subject matters under the legislative or oversight jurisdiction of the Committee as set 

forth in Rule X of the Rules of the House. The Ranking Minority Member may authorize 

travel for any Minority Member or staff of the minority in connection with activities or 

subject matters under the Committee's jurisdiction as set forth in Rule X of the Rules of 

the House. Before such travel, there shall be submitted to the Chair of the Committee in 

writing the following at least seven (7) calendar days prior specifying: a) the purpose of 

the travel; b) the dates during which the travel is to occur; c) the names of the states or 

countries to be visited and the length of time spent in each; and d) the names of Members 

and staff of the Committee participating in such travel. 

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OVERSIGHT PLAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS FOR THE 

ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS 

Ms. Velazquez, from the Committee on Small Business, submitted to the Committee on 

Oversight and Reform and the Committee on House Administration the following 

REPORT 

Rule X, cl. 2(d)(l) of the Rules of the House requires each standing Committee to adopt an 

oversight plan for the two-year period of the Congress and to submit the plan to the Committees 

on Oversight and Reform and House Administration not later than March 1 of the first session of 

the Congress. Under Rule X, the Committee has oversight authority to investigate and examine 

any matter affecting small business. This Report reflects that broad oversight jurisdiction. 

Oversight of Federal Capital Access Programs 

The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into Small Business Administration 

(SBA) and other federal agencies that provide capital to America's entrepreneurs that may include 

any or all of the following, as well as matters brought to the attention of the Committee subsequent 

to the filing of this Report: 

• Effectiveness of the capital access programs to generate jobs in the fastest growing small 

businesses. 

• Whether lenders are meeting their goals to lend to small businesses and create jobs. 

• Adequacy of SBA oversight of its lending partners to ensure that federal taxpayers are 

properly protected. 

• Capabilities of the SBA information technology to manage the loan portfolio. 

• Whether SBA rules, regulations, and guidance result in transparent and reasoned decision 

making with respect to capital access programs. 

• Assessment of credit-scoring algorithms as a replacement for individual credit assessment 

by SBA and its lending partners. 

• The exercise of discretion by SBA to create pilot programs and the risk they pose to the 

taxpayer and whether such authority should be curtailed or eliminated. 

• Whether SBA disaster loan program and its oversight ensures that small businesses are 

able to revive and rebuild communities. 

• Review the recent change by SBA for fee waivers and the impact moving from a dollar 

limitation to a geographic determination will have on small businesses. 

• Efficacy and duplication of federal capital access programs offered by the Department of 

Agriculture to small businesses in rural areas. 

• Utilization by small businesses of export capital programs at the Export-Import Bank and 

the Overseas Private Investment Corporation. 

• Study the need to enhance the 7(a) and Certified Development Company programs so that 

they are more effective in reaching borrowers unable to secure conventional loans. 
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• Analyze the Micro loan program with the intent of making it more affordable for borrowers 

and reducing barriers to its growth. 

• Examine methods to enhance equity financing to meet the needs of small business 

borrowers wherein debt financing is not appropriate and how SBA programs may be used 

to increase equity financing. 

• Continued examination of the Small Business Lending Fund and State Small Business 

Credit Initiative established by Pub. L. No. 111-240, the Small Business Jobs Act of2010, 

in creating jobs and providing capital to small businesses. 

• Implementation of crowdfunding and other provisions of the Jumpstart Our Business 

Startups Act, Pub. L. No. I 12-106. 

• Continued oversight and analysis of the role that the SBA secondary market plays in small 

business finance and the effectiveness of changes made by SBA to the pooling program 

established in the Federal Register Notice of October 16, 20! 7. 

• Review and oversight into the Master Reserve Fund at SBA. 

• Implementation of program clarifications made to encourage more cooperative and 

employee stock ownership plan lending through SBA programs established by the Main 

Street Employee Ownership Act of20 18, passed into law by the John S. McCain National 

Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 20 I 9, Pub.L. No. 115-232. 

• Implementation of changes made to increase oversight of the 7(a) loan program established 

by Pub. L. No. 115-189, the Small Business 7(a) Lending Oversight Reform Act of2018. 

• Examination of the Express Bridge Loan Pilot Program for disaster recovery lending for 

small businesses and its performance after recent disasters, such as Hurricanes Harvey, 

Irma, and Maria and numerous wildfires. 

• Investigate franchising contracts to learn how SBA loans are being utilized, default rates, 

and whether small business owners are being harmed in case improvements in the SBA 

franchise directory can be made. 

• The effectiveness of SBA in minimizing risk to the taxpayer in the SBA capital access 

programs. 

In performing oversight, the Committee will focus on particularly risky aspects of financial 

assistance programs including, but not limited to, commercial real estate refinancing, premier 

certified lenders, participating security small business investment companies, small business 

lending companies, express lenders, and loan programs utilizing simplified lending applications. 

Oversight of SBA and Other Federal Entrepreneurial Development Programs 

The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into the SBA programs that provide 

training and advice to small businesses that may include any or all of the following, as well as 

matters brought to the attention of the Committee subsequent to the filing of this Report: 

• Examining effectiveness ofSBA entrepreneurial development programs in creating jobs at 

startups and traditional firms. 

• Suggesting methods for enhancing coordination among federal agencies in aiding 

entrepreneurs, including, but not limited to, businesses located in underserved areas, such 

as rural and low-income communities and those seeking to provide goods and services in 

the federal procurement marketplace. 
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Enhancing the efficacy and utilization of the Manufacturing Extension Partnership at the 

Department of Commerce, including developments in renewable energy. 

Oversight of Federal Government Contracting Matters 

The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into the federal procurement system that 

may include any or all of the following, as well as matters brought to the attention of the Committee 

subsequent to the filing of this Report: 

• Whether fraud or other problems exist in the federal government contracting programs 

overseen by the SBA including the 8(a), HUBZone, service-disabled veteran, womenowned contracting, and Small Business Innovation Research programs. 

• Effectiveness of SBA contracting programs to increase participation by small businesses 

in federal procurement. 

• Effectiveness of federal agency protections against contract bundling and consolidation. 

• The accuracy and utility of SBA size standards and federal procurement databases. 

• Operation and effectiveness of federal agency assistance provided to small businesses 

interested in federal procurement, including that provided by the SBA, Offices of Small 

and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and Procurement Technical Assistance Centers. 

• Development of federal acquisition policies and whether small businesses have sufficiently 

effective voice in development of such policies. 

• Cost-effectiveness of outsourcing government work to private enterprise rather than 

expanding the government to do provide the good or service internally (i.e., government 

insourcing). 

• Implementation and efficacy of changes made in small business federal procurement 

programs arising from the enactment of the National Defense Authorization Acts for FYs 

2012-2019. 

• Examination of the Small Business Innovation Research Program as modified by the 

National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2012, Pub. L. No. 112-81, including, but not 

limited to, increased efforts at commercializing federally-funded technology. 

• Implementation and efficacy of changes made to the Small Business Innovation Research 

Program arising from the enactment of the JohnS. McCain National Defense Authorization 

Act for Fiscal Year 20!9, Pub.L. No. 115-232. 

• Implementation and efficacy of changes made to the HUBZone program arising from the 

enactment of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018, Pub.L. No. 

I 15-91. 

In performing oversight, the Committee will focus its efforts on uncovering abuse and misuse of 

the small business designation to obtain federal government contracts. 

Oversight of SBA Management 

The Committee will conduct the hearings and investigations into the management of the SBA that 

may include any or all of the following, as well as matters brought to the attention of the Committee 

subsequent to the filing of this Report: 
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• The appropriate mission ofthe SBA. 

• Whether agency employees in the field are empowered to assist small businesses. 

• Duplication of offices and missions at SBA headquarters. 

• Effectiveness of personnel management to ensure that employees are rewarded for assisting 

small businesses. 

• Capabilities of SBA employees to provide proper assistance to small business owners. 

• Review the agency's cooperative agreements, partnerships and co-sponsorships. 

• Continue to assess the adequacy of the agency's budgetary requests, financial management, 

and reporting goals. 

• Agency personnel capabilities to properly manage loan defaults to maximize recovery of 

collateral. 

• Whether SBA improperly utilizes statutory authority to create untested initiatives and the 

procedures by which the agency develops such programs. 

In carrying out this oversight, the Committee will focus particularly on streamlining and 

reorganizing of the agency's operations to provide maximum assistance to small business owners. 

Offices that primarily provide assistance or advice to headquarters staff that do not promote the 

interests of small businesses or protect the federal government as a guarantor of loans will be 

recommended for cuts or elimination. 

Oversight of Federal Regulatory and Paperwork Burdens 

The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into burdensome federal rules, reporting 

and recordkeeping requirements affecting small businesses that may include any or all of the 

following, as well as matters brought to the attention of the Committee subsequent to the filing of 

this Report: 

• Identify specific rules and regulations already issued or at the proposed rule stage to 

assess the impact on small· businesses. 

• Examine agency compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act and Paperwork 

Reduction Act. 

• Oversee, to the extent relevant, the work of the Office of Information and Regulatory 

Affairs at the Office of Management and Budget and the Chief Counsel for Advocacy 

at the Small Business Administration to ensure that they are fulfilling their mission to 

advocate vigorously on behalf of America's small business owners in regulatory 

matters at federal agencies. 

• Identify regulations that impose unnecessary barriers to competitive market entry by 

small businesses and place small businesses at a competitive disadvantage with respect 

to larger competitors. 

• Identify regulations that fail to minimize recordkeeping and reporting requirements, 

including the elimination of duplicative requirements as required by the Paperwork 

Reduction Act. 

• Assess whether small businesses are provided sufficient compliance assistance, 

including small entity compliance guides issued by agencies as mandated by the Small 

Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act. 

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• Evaluate the need to amend and further strengthen the Regulatory Flexibility Act and 

the Paperwork Reduction Act to improve agency compliance with the laws and ensure 

that small businesses are not unnecessarily burdened by regulations. 

Oversight of Federal Tax Policy 

The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into the federal tax code, its impact on 

small business, and Internal Revenue Service's (IRS) collection of taxes that may include any or 

all of the following, as well as matters brought to the attention of the Committee subsequent to the 

filing of this Report: 

• Identification of tax code provisions and proposed rules that hinder the ability of small 

businesses to create jobs and recommendations for modifying those provisions to boost 

small business job growth. 

• Examination of the structure of the tax code in order to simplify compliance for small 

businesses. 

• Assessment of the recordkeeping and reporting requirements associated with tax 

compliance and suggestions for reducing such burdens on small businesses. 

• Impact of the tax reform law, Pub. L. No. 115-97, on small business tax liabilities and 

compliance and its harm to economic growth and job creation. 

• Efficiencies at the IRS that improve the interaction between the government and small 

business owners. 

• Inefficiencies at the IRS that force small businesses to divert capital from job growth to tax 

compliance. 

• Investigate incentives that may be used to support the growth of the micro-entrepreneur. 

• Analyze tax code restructuring to enhance the ability of small businesses to offer retirement 

benefits through lowering their costs. 

Oversight of Health Care Policy 

The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into federal health care policy (such 

as Medicare and Medicaid), as well as matters brought to the attention of the Committee 

subsequent to the filing of this Report: 

• The availability of health insurance in the federal marketplaces established by the Patient 

Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

• Implementation and efficacy of changes made to health care policy through various laws 

enacted throughout the 115'h Congress, including but not limited to the tax reform law, 

Pub.L. No. 115-97. 

• The impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid on 

the ability of physicians, pharmacists, and allied health care providers to offer the best care 

possible to patients. 

• Examination of increases in efficiencies that will improve the provision ofhealth care while 

reducing costs to small businesses that offer their workers' health insurance. 

Oversight of Energy Policy 
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The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into energy policy to reduce the cost of 

energy and increase renewable energy that may include any or all of the following, as well as 

matters brought to the attention of the Committee subsequent to the filing of this Report: 

• Innovations developed by small businesses that create greater reliance on renewable 

energy. 

• Federal regulatory policies that increase dependence on renewable energy and decrease 

energy costs. 

• Policies needed to incentivize production of renewable energy in the United States. 

• Examination of commercialization of research in renewable energy. 

• Federal regulations or policies that affect energy costs for small businesses. 

• Investigate methods to increase energy efficiency and improve resource conservation 

practices for small businesses. 

• Federal initiatives to stream line business operations and reduce energy costs for small 

firms. 

The primary thrust of the Committee's efforts will focus on efforts to use the innovation of 

America's entrepreneurs to fuel the drive for greater energy independence, including the 

development of renewable energy products. 

Oversight of Trade and Intellectual Property Policy 

The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into international trade and intellectual 

property policies of America and its trading partners that may include any or all of the following, 

as well as matters brought to the attention of the Committee subsequent to the filing of this Report: 

• Impact of free trade agreements to increase exports by American small businesses. 

• Oversight ofSBA's Office oflnternational Trade and the agency's efforts to promote small 

business exports. 

• Examination of the impact of illicit actions by foreign entities on small businesses and 

whether the federal government is doing enough to protect their interests. 

Whether the federal government is doing enough to protect the intellectual property rights 

of small businesses by foreign competitors. 

• The impact of federal intellectual property policies, particularly patents and copyrights, to 

protect the innovations of American entrepreneurs. 

• Efforts to increase exports by small businesses. 

• Whether the United States Trade Representative and Department of Commerce sufficiently 

protect the interests of small businesses in the negotiation of free trade agreements. 

• Whether the United States Trade Representative takes positions at the World Trade 

Organization that sufficiently promote the interests of American small businesses. 

• Measure the performance of federal trade programs, which seek to reduce small firms' 

costs of expanding into international markets, including those administered by the SBA, 

Departments of Commerce and Agriculture, the Export-Import Bank, and the Overseas 

Private Investment Corporation. 

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• Evaluate the implementation of the National Export Promotion Strategy, particularly its 

focus on small businesses. 

• Examine efforts methods to increase the representation of small business interests in the 

negotiation of new trade agreements and enforcement of existing agreements and treaties. 

• Evaluate the availability and quality of data measuring the contributions to the nation's 

trade performance by small businesses, including information gathered by the Department 

of Commerce and the United States Trade Representative. 

• Assess current trade duties and tariffs, both domestic and foreign, to evaluate their impact 

on American small businesses, economic growth, and job creation. 

• Conduct analysis on the importance of intellectual property rights to underserved 

entrepreneurs and how best to increase their representation of such rights. 

Oversight of Agriculture Policy 

The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into agriculture policies that may include 

any or all of the following, as well as matters brought to the attention of the Committee subsequent 

to the filing of this Report: 

• Examine the impact of federal policies on family farms, ranchers, and rural small 

businesses, including changes made by the 2018 Farm Bill. 

• Evaluate the impact of access to capital issues facing rural areas, farmers and 

agribusincsses. 

• Analyze the extent to which SBA programs and United States Department of Agriculture 

programs overlap and how they can better coordinate to provide better services and 

streamlines assistance to the agriculture community. 

• Oversee federal activities to spur economic development in rural communities. 

• Examine ways in which the federal government can enhance the use of next-generation 

technologies in small agriculture businesses. 

Oversight of Technology and Innovation Policy 

The Committee will conduct hearings and investigations into technology and telecommunications 

policies that may include any or all of the following, as well as matters brought to the attention of 

the Committee subsequent to the filing of this Report: 

• Examine the impact of federal policies on broadband deployment, particularly in 

underserved areas. 

• Investigate the economic benefits of increasing the speed of broadband and proposals for 

funding the Universal Service Fund. 

• Examine the cost and benefits of proposed reforms to the United States patent system and 

their impact on small innovators. 

• Evaluate the need to increase IP education and services to underserved innovators. 

• Monitor efforts to assist small businesses in cybersecurity hygiene and evaluate the role 

the SBA has in the process to collect and disseminate information and educate small 

businesses. 

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