[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 162 (Wednesday, October 26, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1940]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            INTRODUCING THE PROTECT SMALL BUSINESS JOBS ACT

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                             HON. RON PAUL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, October 26, 2011

  Mr. PAUL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to introduce the Protect Small 
Business Jobs Act. This bill gives small businesses six months to 
correct any noncompliance with federal regulations. If a business is in 
compliance at the end of the six months, then the federal government 
cannot fine, or pursue any other legal action against the business. 
Small businesses that demonstrate good faith efforts to come into 
compliance can receive an additional three-months grace period. Any 
small business may challenge a finding that it is in noncompliance with 
regulations without forgoing the six-month grace period.
  As I am sure my colleagues are aware, American businesses face a 
tangled web of ever-changing rules and regulations. These businesses, 
which cannot afford a team of lawyers to monitor the Federal Register, 
can be forced to spend thousands of dollars in legal fees and fines 
related to regulations they did not even know existed. The legal fees 
imposed on small businesses for inadvertent violation of federal 
regulations divert funds away from growing businesses and creating new 
jobs.
  Mr. Speaker, at a time of continuing high unemployment and stagnant 
growth, doesn't it make sense to give small businesses a reasonable 
time to comply with federal regulations rather than just hitting them 
with job-destroying fines and legal bills? I hope all my colleagues 
will stand up for small businesses and their current and potential 
employees by cosponsoring the Protect Small Business Jobs Act.

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