Good evening,
This week the House Committee on Small Business will convene on Thursday, February 4th for an organizational meeting at 9:30 AM and a hearing entitled the “State of the Small Business Economy in the Era of COVID-19” at 10:00 AM.
“As we enter the 117th Congress, I am excited and honored to serve as the Ranking Member of the House Committee on Small Business. Small businesses are the backbone of our country and the livelihood of our nation’s hardworking men and women. As Ranking Member, I will defend Main Street America from government regulations, red tape, and extensive overreach while ensuring responsible government assistance for the Paycheck Protection Program and additional lending programs. I look forward to working alongside my friend and colleague Chairwoman Nydia Velázquez in my role to fight for all small businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators across the United States.” - House Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO)
Please see the below updates on Small Business Committee Republican Members, the Paycheck Protection Program, and Ranking Member Luetkemeyer’s media hits.
If you or your organization have any questions about House Small Business Committee activities, please feel free to reach out! Additionally, please let me know if you would like to be added or removed from this email list.
Have a great week,
Hailey Hart Borden
Director of Coalitions and Member Services | Professional Staff
House Committee on Small Business Republicans
Haliey.Borden@mail.house.gov | C: 202-380-5904
House Small Business Committee Member Update: Last week, Ranking Member Luetkemeyer welcomed Republicans recommended by the House Steering Committee to serve on the Small Business Committee throughout the 117th Congress.
“I am honored to welcome the new and returning Republican Members who have been recommended to serve on the House Committee on Small Business for the 117th Congress...Small businesses are the backbone of this great nation, and now more than ever, our hardworking men and women must be granted the opportunity to open their doors and contribute to the economy. Each member of this committee is essential in defending Main Street from extensive regulations while ensuring responsible government assistance for our nation’s small businesses. As Lead Republican, I look forward to working alongside my colleagues and fighting for America’s small businesses, entrepreneurs, and innovators.” - Ranking Member Luetkemeyer
House Committee on Small Business Republican Members:
Ranking Member Blaine Luetkemeyer (MO-03)
Jim Hagedorn (MN-01)
Pete Stauber (MN-08)
Roger Williams (TX-25)
Dan Meuser (PA-09)
Andrew Garbarino (NY-02)
Young Kim (CA-39)
Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)
Byron Donalds (FL-19)
Maria Salazar (FL-27)
Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05)
Paycheck Protection Program Update: The second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) lending has already produced positive results for Main Street. As of January 31, 2021, 4,942 lenders made approximately 891,044 PPP loans for a total of over $72 billion in 2021.
Overall, SBA has approved 6,039,747 loans for $595,501,881,603 through 5,460 lenders. The House Small Business Committee will continue to track the program’s performance and issues. More information on PPP can be found at SBA’s website linked here.
Must Read: Small businesses being suffocated by Dems' overbearing policies, GOP must fight for them: Rep. Luetkemeyer | FOX BUSINESS (HERE)
“The old saying goes, 'with great sacrifice comes great reward' and it is no secret that over the past year, Americans everywhere have made great sacrifices to keep our families and communities safe. However, the hardworking men and women across the country have reaped anything but great reward as Democrat lawmakers have forced overreaching shutdown mandates upon our nation’s small businesses. Shutting down a six-table restaurant while allowing thousands of people to walk into Walmart isn’t sound health policy, and fining small businesses for refusing to die quietly isn’t a 'tough but necessary decision.' These are veiled attempts by the Democrats to appear responsible without having to tangle with corporations that wield powerful connections and high-priced legal teams. As the new Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, my advocacy for small businesses begins with the renewed authorities under the Paycheck Protection Program. Access to PPP, other Small Business Administration programs, and traditional credit avenues are critical to the survival of small businesses, and these issues will continue to be my top priorities.”
In the News: Ranking Member Luetkemeyer discussed how Republicans will help small businesses across the country during the 117th Congress on Just the News. Click here to watch video.
Interview: Ranking Member Luetkemeyer shares his priorities for the House Small Business Committee, including oversight and protecting small businesses from harmful regulations and government mandates. Click here to watch video.
Must Watch: Congressman Blaine Luetkemeyer joins The Hill with Steve Clemons to discuss what's next for American small businesses, the PPP rollout, taxes, and deregulation. Click here to watch video.
ICYMI: Republicans Wonder if 'Political Science' Behind Easing of Covid-19 Restrictions After Biden Takes Office | Washington Examiner (HERE)
“Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, a Missouri Republican who serves as the ranking member of the House Committee on Small Business, concurred, expressing both joy for the small-business owners and anger at what he views to be 'bureaucratic games' by Democrats…'I am pleased to see small businesses beginning to reopen in several Democrat-run states, but politicians should not be given the stage to play partisan politics with the livelihoods of our nation’s small businesses, he said.”