[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6346099,"mediaKeyId","2247439-b6840215f8a691a9b79aa2f76c59ec3e","parentId",2247439,"title","Lawmakers press SBA issues after witnesses describe contracting goal changes and funding uncertainty","audioSeconds",4643,"startMs",5016000,"endMs",9659000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247439-b6840215f8a691a9b79aa2f76c59ec3e&start=5016&end=9659","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247439-b6840215f8a691a9b79aa2f76c59ec3e/thumbnail_5016000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6346099/Lawmakers-press-SBA-issues-after-witnesses-describe-contracting-goal-changes-and-funding-uncertainty","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346099-3853b547b71819f2f81a1c9e41c02a48/orig.mp4?Expires=1775180649&Signature=D4NYNu2k6D3hM9NM1p8q1aUfMCY-dtqZUWSi95kEA71s9q9kWWt-hjQz24MCVShKYB7RKfPqM002yPf7Lcu6xmOG6jyGx03hz-M0w5V9FrtilXThL6UCCTDPc1pAAtDvK0K6dwA7zQntvKlfMZLuOaUdIDgvy6IUxq3Z5RQM5FwoOpmC5C~LMhYMVWzmQMoH9Zw9sgiWJ7czXutdtz2OTlGXq-6KLJL6KrBuaGgWu0YKV3jvTbHsAlV79bcVoGvzHO9vFWpqJMr4LuQO8Q6Vax7tEMfp-aD6wi1r2gD6lnGjS7Y1KhA0qR3jWeoa6ql7SoQkqBgq2RFkao9fcxeE0Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Small Business","date","2025-02-06T05:38:45Z","article","Representative Cisneros noted that the Small Business Administration updated contracting goals for fiscal year 2025, reducing some targets such as the disadvantaged small business share to 5 percent. He asked witnesses how those changes would affect small disadvantaged, women‑owned and veteran‑owned firms seeking federal contracts.

Alice Frasier, who testified for the Independent Community Bankers of America, said reduced targets may lower expected contract volume for some categories and that lenders could be less likely to finance firms that expect fewer government contract opportunities.

Witnesses and members also raised the SBA’s recent administrative problems and a brief federal funding freeze that affected field offices. Several members said they were contacted by regional SBA staff and local small businesses who reported closed portals, delayed payments or uncertainty about program continuity. Molly Moon Neitzel described the SBA loan process for her expansion as complicated but operational; other witnesses asked the committee to improve SBA outreach and stabilize program administration for geographically isolated or disaster‑affected markets.

Representative Kilduff and others raised the low approval rates for some SBA pandemic‑era programs, including the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and other recovery grants in certain territories; committee members requested staff examine whether national programs are effectively reaching high‑need or remote communities.

Members also discussed the SBA’s role in fraud prevention and efficient program delivery. The chairman signaled oversight priorities for the committee’s subcommittee work and asked witnesses to submit follow‑up materials about program access and barriers for small lenders and borrowers.

No formal actions or votes occurred; members asked for written follow‑up and additional documentation from SBA staff and witnesses.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hope on the Horizon: Prioritizing Small Business Growth in the 119th Congress","oneSentenceSummary","Members and witnesses discussed the SBA’s updated contracting targets, low program approval rates in some jurisdictions, and recent reports of a federal funding freeze that left field staff and small businesses uncertain about access to programs and grants.","taxTitle","Small Business: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1829,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346102,"Molly Moon’s CEO urges Congress to invest in childcare, warns tariffs and immigration actions threaten small businesses",678,2692000,3370000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247439-b6840215f8a691a9b79aa2f76c59ec3e&start=2692&end=3370","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247439-b6840215f8a691a9b79aa2f76c59ec3e/thumbnail_2692000.jpg","/articles/6346102/Molly-Moons-CEO-urges-Congress-to-invest-in-childcare-warns-tariffs-and-immigration-actions-threaten-small-businesses","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346102-72b687421e10869eab2cf084021a80a1/orig.mp4?Expires=1775180649&Signature=iVr6CAsrPbwyBFmPjA-5EulKJnTyQZYZRgkU-D4Yty6ZJ~M5eBL8UNRpor5sg6eb~Crm5nI8U6anHVTw3fELY2GNX-cdeZChA39XfGMOq0NABKSN1NOaXDngw-XL7PbOuL1gu2-IN-zozkmTKWOuqPXFzpDHt8oB~ZLJYNDqOqNfBqaPfCN0JUtD2qQbfbW6K2~885j58DNcwhZ2x4rgf55vQ1jIHdoFpbiCQCPaI3RMDFPDtJtolNUNA8oB8oxbqEVHbsX~1KmnMacRaCpxRypv1-af-xwwkaoqvn4WNcsHUqlXBdJ4qOYNTEKZ0ns~89FOqwpbYEg9pO-ZYirWBA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Molly Moon Neitzel, founder and CEO of Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, told the House Committee on Small Business that on‑the‑ground workforce policies—not only tax and regulatory changes—shape small businesses’ ability to hire, retain and promote employees.

\"At Molly Moon's, we invest $1,000 per month toward childcare for each employee's child, and the returns have been tremendous,\" Neitzel said, describing higher full‑time work and promotion rates among staff after her company began subsidizing childcare.

Neitzel warned that an escalating tariff regime and threats of mass immigration enforcement would increase costs for small retailers and restaurants and reduce available workers. When asked about tariffs proposed earlier in the week, Neitzel said, \"If these tariffs go through, I will have to raise my prices.\" She described dependence on imported sugar, coffee, chocolate and paper products and on regional dairy suppliers who trade cross‑border with Canada.

Committee members raised concerns about potential mass ICE enforcement and its effect on labor. Representative Velasquez said during questioning that \"losing farmers who have work permits in The United States will devastate the food system in America,\" a point Neitzel echoed in describing how fear of raids reduces workforce participation.

Neitzel urged Congress to use tax enforcement revenue to fund national childcare, paid family leave and healthcare investment, and suggested targeting tax relief (Section 199A) to smaller operators to address inequality created by prior tax changes. She described one concrete impact: building three new Molly Moon locations with partial SBA loan support.

Members from both parties questioned her about short‑term disruptions from recent actions at the border and tariff announcements; Neitzel said the 30‑day pause on potential tariff implementation provided limited planning time and that uncertainty alone was already forcing her leadership team to model significant cost scenarios to determine whether price increases would be necessary.

Her testimony highlighted how workforce supports such as childcare interact with trade and immigration policy to affect hiring, operations and small businesses’ place in local economies.","Molly Moon Neitzel, founder and CEO of Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, told the House Small Business panel that employer‑funded childcare stabilized her workforce and that proposed tariffs and mass immigration enforcement would raise costs and harm supply chains and labor availability for small businesses.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346108,"Community bankers tell committee CFPB’s Section 1071 reporting burdens could curb small‑business lending",674,2385000,3059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247439-b6840215f8a691a9b79aa2f76c59ec3e&start=2385&end=3059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247439-b6840215f8a691a9b79aa2f76c59ec3e/thumbnail_2385000.jpg","/articles/6346108/Community-bankers-tell-committee-CFPBs-Section-1071-reporting-burdens-could-curb-smallbusiness-lending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346108-d5be17e8e88d48572d5389f29cfc6f96/orig.mp4?Expires=1775180649&Signature=nnhs~iSAQbi8U-Ifw1kbxqTtL3syQEGKMTLfhGhoeG5aAdpnwjNN0km72Nr7ooyGVPQbRAb0nowHHBN7O~K2o9aQLiHoZlfKIJmdtLMIoVMfUWiMlPjQ84YE~ejdp35XUfZT~ShUEYMJLlegDVAQizGU8FayKxKuBpgcaCmXhzmXh~q8IS6wkynHJyhYtZvAOpKDR~PFuwB5HbP1G3zuC0NJyquF78Z9IvR95UygwiiaioBL4v9Ln-FJoWcQJSMIQFORjC5tweOgjiadG9iCirepphidtRaUmueFl5N7jfAs1i5nTjJVFHVYuJQ3kCIJ-AMOA1Mf0pgqu8whZ-ZCyg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Alice Frasier, president and CEO of Potomac Bancshares and vice chairman of the Independent Community Bankers of America, told the House Committee on Small Business that the bureau’s Section 1071 rule will add substantial cost and administrative burden for community lenders and could reduce customized lending to small firms.

\"There is over 81 different data decision points that we would need to collect and decide upon in evaluating or just taking the application,\" Frasier said, explaining how the rule would multiply reporting work across thousands of small loans.

Frasier said her bank handled more than 237 loans totaling about $140,000,000 in a recent two‑year period and that collecting and reporting 81 data elements per application would require substantial new technology or staffing. \"The only way that that could be possible is to continue to evaluate technology and use of AI which then doesn't focus us on the conversations or building the relationships or giving the advice and counsel many small businesses need,\" she said.

The committee's chairman, who described the hearing as a priority for \"Main Street America,\" said he introduced a repeal of Section 1071 to \"Protect Small Business Lending Act\" and asked witnesses how repeal would affect lending. Frasier testified it would preserve community banks' ability to underwrite customized loans tailored to small borrowers in rural and lower‑volume markets.

Frasier and other witnesses also urged tiered regulatory thresholds so that community banks are not regulated like the largest national institutions, and they asked members to consider the tax code's pass‑through deduction (Section 199A) and other provisions that support small‑business cash flow and bank lending.

Committee questioning included requests for concrete examples; Frasier offered the 81 data points as an illustrative burden and spoke to the risk that standardized data requirements could encourage lenders to commoditize loans rather than underwrite through local, relationship‑based assessments.

The discussion closed with requests from members that committee staff examine legislative options and the potential consequences for small borrower access to credit if reporting rules remain unchanged.","Alice Frasier, vice chair of the Independent Community Bankers of America and CEO of Potomac Bancshares, said the CFPB’s small‑business data rule will force banks to standardize underwriting, reduce relationship lending, and may diminish credit availability for small borrowers unless it is repealed or significantly altered.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6346114,"Manufacturers at House Small Business hearing urge tax certainty, permitting reform and clearer regulations",7483,1795000,9278000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2247439-b6840215f8a691a9b79aa2f76c59ec3e&start=1795&end=9278","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2247439-b6840215f8a691a9b79aa2f76c59ec3e/thumbnail_1795000.jpg","/articles/6346114/Manufacturers-at-House-Small-Business-hearing-urge-tax-certainty-permitting-reform-and-clearer-regulations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6346114-45dfe5f2e4f91854f515d61194f40098/orig.mp4?Expires=1775180649&Signature=hGJ6QHiLtNugcm2DxGtUzt~YUV0Jj5G2sLHdK-QUwT4VcoiRrSZVBQJisr43iB9S1nG-gLPENJv1HbhJuqI7KZnV7ZyQ5pIJTeWVWxZVDksFAdaLX~k0r4YTSqsZW7buuHBFOzF0DvpvPxG~a-pjzdrjewwd5OQ6uXQPQUZAuyk2YKN6Mf4322u5qwmcoQVHmu9hdWnZF0HODYAgslMcDzGC5RMuYidIjLHesJNeSjwMUoGjmUp13un7-VQ3cCkjkd8-gYDMKaHU4B726S29Nfqo77667ZYGTN9IOPvmf33OG3FEIj0pHx7OyqnnLGOSGfiAHkMhN9ECo8~UN6Vs-A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Williams opened the House Committee on Small Business hearing by saying the panel would \"listen, learn and better understand the challenges\" facing Main Street businesses.

Carl Hutter, CEO of Clickbond Inc., told the committee that small and mid‑size manufacturers face a mix of expiring tax incentives, burdensome compliance and permitting uncertainty that is slowing investments. \"If congress wants to preserve American innovation, ingenuity, and competitiveness, inaction is simply not an option,\" Hutter said.

Hutter told lawmakers that the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s lower corporate rate and pass‑through provisions had helped Clickbond increase wages, invest in capital equipment and accelerate construction of a new facility. He said those provisions have begun to lapse and are making research and development, capital purchases and long‑term financing more expensive. Hutter cited a figure the committee discussed that he described as the annual U.S. regulatory cost burden: $3,000,000,000,000.

Bill Neu, founder and president of Neu Industries LLC, a steel fabricator in Morgan City, Louisiana, described how regulatory and leasing uncertainty in the offshore oil and gas sector lengthened project horizons and caused customers to delay or cancel work. \"It's really about having access to lands to where to drill,\" Neu said, adding that projects his company supports can have development timelines measured in years or even a decade from lease to production.

Both witnesses urged permitting reform to make timelines predictable and to reduce duplicative or unworkable compliance requirements. Hutter warned that some regulatory proposals—examples he mentioned included PFAS‑related material restrictions and other emissions rules—could be technically infeasible for components that have long certification cycles and no ready substitutes.

Members pressed witnesses on workforce and investment policy. Witnesses and members pointed to expired or expiring provisions—accelerated depreciation and R&D expensing among them—as levers that would immediately affect manufacturers' capacity to buy equipment and hire. When asked near the end of the hearing whether extending prior tax provisions would help, Hutter and Neu answered in the affirmative.

The discussion focused on options for Congress to stabilize the policy environment: extend tax incentives on a predictable timetable, streamline permitting across agencies, and ensure any new rules include workable transition periods for suppliers in critical sectors such as aerospace and defense.

The hearing captured repeated requests from manufacturers for clarity and predictability rather than immediate rollback of all safety‑related rules; witnesses framed their recommendations as ways to preserve U.S. competitiveness and the defense industrial base while allowing industry time to adopt safer, lower‑impact alternatives.

Looking ahead, witnesses asked the committee to prioritize near‑term steps—tax extensions and permitting fixes—that would unlock private investment and speed hiring, while coordinating with industry on technically feasible regulatory timelines.","CEOs from small and mid‑size manufacturers told the House Committee on Small Business that expiring tax provisions, unclear regulations and slow permitting are constraining investment, hiring and long‑range projects in the U.S. defense and aerospace supply chains.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lawmakers press SBA issues after witnesses describe contracting goal changes and funding uncertainty

Molly Moon’s CEO urges Congress to invest in childcare, warns tariffs and immigration actions threaten small businesses

Community bankers tell committee CFPB’s Section 1071 reporting burdens could curb small‑business lending

Manufacturers at House Small Business hearing urge tax certainty, permitting reform and clearer regulations