Sen. Joni Ernst
U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), on Aug. 23 led a field hearing in Des Moines, Iowa, addressing the impact of federal regulations on small businesses in her home state and across the country.
“As Biden’s federal agencies crank out regulations at lightning speed, they threaten job creation and economic opportunity on Main Street,” said Sen. Ernst, ranking member of the U.S. Senate Small Business Committee. “One-size-fits-all regulations don’t suit Iowa’s entrepreneurs, and that’s why I’m fighting to ensure our small businesses are heard and considered in future regulatory mandates from Washington.”
During the hearing, Sen. Ernst also discussed the Prove It Act of 2023, S. 1411, which she sponsored on May 3 to require greater transparency for federal regulatory decisions that impact small businesses.
Specifically, S. 1411 would require federal agencies to demonstrate that any new regulation complies with existing laws and considers both the direct and indirect costs placed on small businesses, according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Ernst’s staff. The bill also would allow small businesses to weigh in on proposed rules being considered by government regulators that could have a negative impact on entrepreneurs, the summary says.
The measure is under consideration by the U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
Also during the field hearing, Major L. Clark, III, acting chief counsel from the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy, said small businesses are a vital component of Iowa’s economy.
“Advocacy has increasingly argued that federal agencies need to conduct more outreach to small entities during the rulemaking process and improve the quality of their small business data,” Clark said. “It is critical for all small businesses, including those here, to express concerns to federal agencies on regulations that may impact their economic survival.”
Among other speakers during the field hearing were Iowa State Rep. Shannon Latham (R-Sheffield) and Megan Green, counsel and engineering manager for Weiler Products.