[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 80 (Wednesday, May 11, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4811-H4812]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




           RECOGNIZING THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF SMALL BUSINESSES

  (Mr. LaMALFA asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. LaMALFA. Mr. Speaker, last week we celebrated National Small 
Business Week and recognized the great contributions of small business 
owners and their employees in our towns.
  Small business owners create local jobs and drive U.S. innovation. A 
2019 report from the Small Business Administration shows that small 
businesses account for 44 percent of all activity in

[[Page H4812]]

the U.S. When you spend money in a local business, a majority of that 
dollar stays right in your town and stays local.
  Unfortunately, they are being hit especially hard by the current 
economic crisis created by the Biden administration and their failed 
policies. They are facing severe supply chain disruptions and 
shortages, leaving their shelves empty--in the United States of 
America, unbelievable.
  Energy costs are making it difficult for them to get their products 
and keep their lights on. Inflation and rising prices make it very hard 
for small mom-and-pop shops to even keep their doors open.
  According to a National Federation of Independent Business survey, 99 
percent of small business owners reported that rising energy and fuel 
costs are negatively impacting everybody across the board.
  Over 80 percent are now reporting that they had to raise their prices 
for consumers for everybody just to stay afloat.
  The bare shelves of Biden policies are hurting small business owners 
and consumers. There is no solution until we get back to a sound 
economic basis of doing business.

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