Political Quotes

“The bill refers to small businesses, without any definition that allows the administrator of the EPA total discretion in defining small business. What we have simply done, at the request of small business advocates, including the NFIB, is simply ask that the administrator of the Small Business Administration and the small business advocate at the EPA have input in defining small businesses. Mr. Chairman, this amendment will further clarify the provisions of the bill which are intended to reduce the paperwork and regulatory burden placed upon small businesses. In order to reduce the regulatory burden that strangles small businesses in our Nation, the committee bill purports to exempt small businesses from general and site-specific stormwater discharge permits. While the reformed permit process contained in the committee bill is a tremendously positive step in the right direction, the bill leaves it to the total discretion of the EPA to promulgate a definition of whether or not a business qualifies as a 'small business.' Many members, myself included, fear that EPA will attempt to circumvent the clear intent of the bill and define 'small business' so narrowly that it will, as a practical matter, exempt few of the Nation's small businesses.”