WASHINGTON — As the Biden administration ignores existing laws meant to limit unnecessary and costly burdens on small businesses, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) is leading the charge to give small businesses a voice in regulations. Today, Ernst presented common sense Evidence Act 2023 force federal agencies to demonstrate that any new regulation is consistent with existing laws and takes into account both direct and indirect costs to small businesses. If regulators continue to ignore the law, small businesses will be completely exempt from their regulations.
“For too long, federal bureaucrats have ignored the concerns of our job creators and the negative impact their many regulations have on hard-working small and family businesses.”said Ernst. “One-size-fits-all regulations aren’t right for Iowa entrepreneurs, and that’s why I’m fighting to make sure our small businesses are heard and considered in future regulatory mandates from Washington.”
“Small businesses in Iowa are being crushed by burdensome regulations coming from Washington. For many years, Senator Ernst has championed the reduction of red tape and compliance burdens facing small businesses. The Evidence Act 2023 provides small businesses with another opportunity to describe how burdensome regulations will affect their ability to invest and grow. The NFIB thanks Senator Ernst for her leadership in standing up and fighting for small businesses in Iowa.” said Matt Everson, Iowa State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business.
“To Senator Ernst.” Evidence Act 2023 will ensure that small businesses have a voice in the rules and regulations coming out of Washington. Listening to small business concerns about the impact of federal regulations should be a top priority as Congress considers SBA reauthorization.” said Tom Sullivan, vice president of small business policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The U.S. House strongly supports Senator Ernst’s work to oppose the federal overreach that is adding to the harmful effects of inflation on Iowa’s high streets and across the country.”
“According to NFIB research, burdensome regulations and red tape remain significant challenges for small businesses across the country. NFIB’s Small Business Law Center recently released a port that found widespread noncompliance with the small business requirements of the Regulatory Flexibility Act. To Senator Ernst Evidence Act 2023 seeks to correct these deficiencies by increasing small business participation in the regulatory process. On behalf of NFIB’s nearly 300,000 small businesses, we thank Senator Ernst for her efforts to cut red tape and highlight the impact of burdensome regulations on small businesses.” said Kevin Kuhlman, vice president of federal government relations at the National Federation of Independent Business.
“The Iowa Bankers Association supports Senator Ernst’s efforts to bring greater transparency to regulatory decisions affecting Iowa’s small businesses. Iowa has more community banks per capita than any other state. Our banks are small businesses working side by side with their high street partners to grow our communities. Washington’s one-size-fits-all regulations threaten this vital function.” said the Iowa Bankers Association.
“As a Chamber of Commerce leader and longtime economic development professional in Sioux City, I am proud to lend my voice and support to Senator Joni Ernst’s PROOF Act of 2023. This legislation will help ensure that small businesses in Siouxland , many of whom help feed America, will have a stronger voice in D.C. and not be unduly hindered by our federal bureaucracy, while ultimately promoting economic development in communities like ours.” said Chris McGowan, president of the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce.
“Senator Ernst’s legislation is a victory for small businesses struggling with overregulation. Her bill would protect small businesses from excessive use of executive power by finally meaningfully holding government bureaucrats accountable for considering the impact of new regulations on small businesses before they are imposed. It would allow small businesses and their advocates to challenge the certifications, arguing that the proposed rules do not have a significant impact on small businesses. Senator Ernst’s legislation implements a key pillar of the Job Creators Network’s Small Business Prosperity America Plan by reducing the regulatory burden on small businesses.” said Alfredo Ortiz, president and CEO of the Job Creators Network.
Background:
The Evidence Act 2023 would create a way for small businesses to raise concerns when regulators fail to consider both the direct and indirect costs their regulations impose on them. Ernst’s bill would allow small businesses to ask their top government advocate to review the agencies’ performance and make the government prove it they are fully compliant with them already existing laws. If regulators fail to comply with this review process, then small businesses will be completely exempt from the agency’s regulations. The bill would also ensure that small businesses can easy access existing guidance documents online and create a way for small businesses to directly raise questions or concerns with their regulators.
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