Blaine Luetkemeyer

Women's Business Centers (WBCs) support over 150,000 women entrepreneurs each year through training, mentoring, business development, and financing opportunities.

My bill, H.R. 6454, the 'Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2022,' expands the office's authority to be an independent voice for America's small businesses on international economic matters.

The bipartisan legislation we have before us today will create a one stop shop that will make it easier for small businesses to comply with federal regulations.

I support this bill to authorize the Office of Advocacy to represent American small business interests before foreign governments and international entities.

I thank Mrs. Young Kim and Ms. Craig for your fine work on this legislation.

I urge a favorable passage.

Small businesses in every shape and form continue to feel the devastating effects of strong economic headwinds.

Increased inflation means less buying power which in turn translates to a decreased ability to hire and retain qualified employees.

Unfortunately, this industry has not been immune to the COVID-19 crisis.

As COVID-19 continues to disrupt daily lives, we have seen Americans double down on their cultural and creative consumption to regain a sense of normalcy.

Creative organizations and enterprises are revenue and job generators not only within their immediate sphere but also act as a catalyst, stimulating economic activity in adjacent sectors.

Okay. So it begs the question then, have the guardrails been put back up?

Well, when 40 percent of the program is being fraudulently active, we have got a problem, sir.

I think there is a significant difference in the way that they were adjudicated by the SBA.

There has to be some execution on your part to get this done and have the staff execute as well.

That is not acceptable. You have got to do better than that.

If it is your desire for this administration to be a direct lender, why is your current direct lending tool such a disaster?

Secretary Yellen's inability to appear before us is an insult to small business owners across this nation.

the vaccine mandate, I think Ms. Guzman, you said 98 percent of small businesses are exempt. The problem is only about 40 percent.

The point is that we have SBA staff that do not adhere to the recommendations that the administrator accepts from the IG.

higher prices inflation by 40 percent versus 14 percent is the number one issue for small businesses.

the inability to answer questions, the inability to provide studies to show that you are actually doing your job.

Six and a half months now she is past due at showing up at this Committee.

We have not received an answer to any of these questions thus far.

As you very well know, small businesses across the country have been facing a multitude of challenges, many of which have been caused by the overreaching grasp of the federal government.