[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 110 (Friday, June 23, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E610]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     PAPERWORK BURDEN REDUCTION ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 21, 2023

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 3797, 
the Paperwork Burden Reduction Act.
  This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an 
alternative process for providing individuals with certain health 
insurance coverage statements.
  H.R. 3797 allows American workers to access health insurance tax 
forms online, rather than mailing this form in excess to American 
households.
  While only 1.4 percent of American workers and their families need 
this form, it gets mailed to millions each year, wasting taxpayer 
resources, and creating more work for small businesses.
  This bill recognizes that more Americans than ever fill out their tax 
returns online and allows them to access this health insurance tax form 
online as well.
  This bill saves small businesses owners time and money by relieving 
them of mailing excess copies of outdated paperwork.
  As a result, small businesses will now have more time to focus on 
running their business, providing opportunities for their employees, 
expanding their business, and serving their customers.
  In my home district of Houston, nearly 97 percent of the region's 
businesses are considered small businesses.
  These small businesses employ 44 percent of the region's workforce, 
over 1.2 million employees across the city of Houston.
  These small businesses continue to rise as over 150,000 new business 
applications were filed across Houston last year.
  The city ranks 10th nationally in new businesses per capita and these 
businesses continue to drive the city's economic growth upwards.
  Further, nearly 35 percent of these small businesses with 50 or fewer 
employees are minority-owned and Houston ranks 5th in the nation for 
minority entrepreneurship.
  Small businesses are not only vital for Houston, but for our entire 
Nation.
  Across America, small businesses account for over fifty-nine million 
jobs, constituting nearly half of the national workforce.
  Overall, they generate one third of all U.S. business revenue, 
approximately 13.7 trillion dollars annually.
  This bill relieves the burden of outdated paperwork on these small 
businesses and best equips them for success in Houston and nationwide.
  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 3797, the 
Paperwork Burden Reduction Act, and the economic growth of our Nation, 
which is fueled by small businesses.

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