Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act Of 2011

Floor Speech

* Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I have heard complaints from farmers and small business owners across the 2nd congressional district who believe that having to file this onerous 1099 form for any payment greater than $600 is an unnecessary bureaucratic nightmare that needs to be repealed. Small businesses are the engines that drive our nation's economy, and they should focus on creating jobs, not filling out paperwork. Now is the time to reduce the obstacles for small business growth, not increase them, and repealing this provision would help accomplish that goal.

* If action is not taken, the 1099 reporting requirements set to be enacted in 2012 will bury our country's farmers and small businesses owners in excessive paperwork. It ultimately will raise the cost of doing business and create an economic burden through increased prices for goods and services. Meanwhile, the IRS will be swamped in 1099 Forms while other vital enforcement activities are not met.

* It is undisputed that these requirements are unacceptable. There is nearly unanimous agreement in Congress around repealing this onerous provision. Already the Senate has taken action and approved bipartisan legislation that would fix this problem. Nevertheless, the House Majority has decided to poison the legislation at hand with an offset containing a severe tax increase aimed squarely at middle income Americans. It would raise taxes on middle-income families who simply get a new job, work extra shifts, or receive a bonus for good performance. It is insensitive and even more onerous due to the fact it would place a greater burden on working families trying to purchase health care.

* While I support repealing the overly burdensome 1099 requirements--and while I will reluctantly vote for this legislation--I find the choice that the Majority has put in front of us to be truly objectionable. The current offset will raise taxes and will hurt Americans' access to health care. This choice is unacceptable, and I look forward to working with the Senate and the Administration to ensure that this divisive and unnecessary attack on middle-income Americans is taken out of the final legislation and that a more suitable offset is found.

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