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46 818 PDF JANUARY 28, 2009

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 

COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS 

UNITED STATES 

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

ONE HUNDRED ELEVENTH CONGRESS 

FIRST SESSION 

MEETING HELD 

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2009 

Small Business Committee Document Number 111-002 

Available via the GPO Website: http://www.access.gpo.gov/congress/house 


Congress.#13
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS 

NYDIA M. VELA ́ ZQUEZ, 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 

(II) 

C O N T E N T S 

OPENING STATEMENTS 

Page 

Vela ́zquez, 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) 

(1) 

ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING 

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. Vela ́zquez 

[Chair of the Committee] Presiding. 

Present: Representatives Vela ́zquez, Moore, Shuler, Dahlkemper, 

Schrader, Kirkpatrick, Nye, Michaud, Bean, Lipinski, Altmire, 

Sestak, Bright, Griffith, Halvorson, Graves, Bartlett, Akin, Buchanan, Luetkemeyer, Schock, Thompson and Coffman. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. 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 

2 

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 

3 

lot of broad ideas and bring in a lot of good experience here. So 

thank you. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. 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 VELA ́ ZQUEZ. 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. 

4 

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 VELA ́ ZQUEZ. 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. 

5 

Mr. SESTAK. I say that we adopt the rules for the 111th Congress. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. 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 VELA ́ ZQUEZ. At this point, I would like to— 

Are there any other members that wish to be recognized on the 

oversight plan? 

6 

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 VELA ́ ZQUEZ. Does anyone second the motion? 

Ms. BEAN. I second it. 

Chairwoman VELA ́ ZQUEZ. 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 VELA ́ ZQUEZ. 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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