OFFICIALS LEGISLATION INTEREST GROUPS PUBLIC STATEMENTS COMMITTEES VETOES

Prove It Act of 2024

Floor Speech

Date: Dec. 5, 2024
Location: Washington, DC

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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7198, the Prove It Act of 2024, introduced by Representative Finstad. In full disclosure, I am a small business owner.

The Prove It Act is an important piece of legislation that will give small business owners the ability to petition the government when an agency fails to actively account for regulations impacting their operations.

Over the past 4 years, the Biden administration has created an unbelievable amount of $1.7 trillion in new regulations. The Committee on Small Business, which I chair, conducted a thorough investigation into how it was possible to achieve this unfortunate milestone. We discovered that many agencies are treating the Regulatory Flexibility Act, a law that is supposed to protect small businesses from the most costly regulations, like a check-the-box exercise. They do not uphold the spirit of the law, which is an important check on the administrative state.

The Prove It Act would close many of the loopholes being utilized by Federal agencies and give small businesses the ability for their choice and their voice to be heard when the system fails them.

Main Street America has been dealing with many different economic headwinds. Inflation and labor shortages alone have made it a challenge for small business to survive. Out-of-control regulations are just one more obstacle that businessowners must work to overcome.

My committee held over 13 hearings where we brought in real small business owners to discuss the impact regulations had on their operations. Every one of our witnesses said that taking time to understand and comply with the new mandates prevents them from focusing on their core operations: giving service and selling product.

These small businesses are the economic engines of the country, and we must do all we can to support their continued success. The Prove It Act takes important steps in ensuring that agencies comply with the intent of the RFA and fully consider small businesses in the rulemaking process.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7198.

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