House Panel Still Seeking Stimulus Ideas
Nov 3rd, 2008 | By Dawn R. Rivers | Category: Politics & PolicyThe House will either return to work after the election or will simply adjourn and allow the 110th Congress to become a part of history, but that hasn’t stopped several House committees to continue doing the people’s work. Last week, the House Small Business Committee held its fifth hearing to examine what Congress can do to help small businesses drag the economy out of recession.
Not much was discussed that was very relevant to microbusinesses. Center stage, of course, was the credit crunch and the way that frozen capital markets are forcing small firms to contract, lay off workers and even, in some cases, close their doors. Small business owner witnesses were able to tell lawmakers that they didn’t really need hand-outs, they simply needed paying customers. Suggestions included supporting small firms seeking to expand into foreign markets through exporting, helping small firms to sell to the federal government by making sure that small business awards actually go to small businesses, and investing in our national infrastructure. Of course, a certain amount of the game plan won’t be written until after the election; any stimulus package is unlikely to be signed into law before the next administration.
