[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 71 (Wednesday, May 19, 2004)]
[House]
[Pages H3235-H3236]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REGULATORY BURDEN ON SMALL BUSINESSES

  (Mr. HENSARLING asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. HENSARLING. Mr. Speaker, as a former small businessman, I rise 
today in support of Republican efforts this week to reduce the 
regulatory burden on small businesses, the job engine of this country.
  I know firsthand that the Federal regulatory burden strangles small 
business in America and keeps American-owned businesses from creating 
more jobs. In the year 2000, the estimated total regulatory burden in 
America was a job-crushing $843 billion. Along with high rates of 
taxation, which Democrats want to raise even further, nothing stifles 
job creation in America like the heavy hand of bureaucratic regulation.

[[Page H3236]]

  Small businesses that employ fewer than 20 employees pay almost 
$7,000 a year in regulatory costs per employee. Instead of using these 
funds to create new jobs, pay higher salaries or fund new or expanded 
health care benefits, small business owners are forced to pay to comply 
with too many inflexible and Draconian Federal regulations.
  Democrats are working hard to make bureaucrats more powerful. Mr. 
Speaker, Republicans are working hard to make American companies more 
competitive.

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