For Immediate Release
Andrew Wimer, 202-314-2073 or 703-298-5938 (cell)
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Sen. Vitter Introduces Bill to
Improve the Regulatory Flexibility Act
Washington, DC
(June 9, 2015) – The National Federation for Independent Business supports
legislation introduced today by Sen. David Vitter (R-LA) that would give small
business a greater voice in the writing of regulations. The Small Business
Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act would strengthen a process that is in
need of improvement and expansion to more government agencies.
“Small business owners struggle to keep up
with all the new regulations coming down on them from every level of
government,” said NFIB Vice President of
Public Policy Amanda Austin. “We applaud Sen. Vitter for working to make
sure that the small business perspective is included earlier in the regulatory
process. Small businesses are the economic engine of our nation. They shouldn’t
be an afterthought for federal regulators.”
When the NFIB asks members to identify the
biggest problems facing their business, “government requirements and red tape”
is listed as their first concern. While small businesses are disproportionately
affected by regulations, they lack a strong voice in the process of wring the
rules. Small businesses spend nearly
$12,000 per employee per year to comply with federal regulations, 30 percent more than
it costs large companies.
According to the Small Business
Administration’s Office of Advocacy, the current Regulatory Flexibility Act
saved small businesses $4.8 billion in compliance costs in fiscal year 2014.
The legislation introduced by Sen. Vitter would both expand the RFA process to
more government regulators and make sure that the effect of regulations on
small business is considered earlier in the process or writing rules. The bill
was introduced jointly with Sen. Jim Risch (R-ID), Sen. Mike Enzi (R-WY), Sen.
Cory Gardner (R-CO), Sen. Jodi Ernst (R-IA) and Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL).
“In keeping with his solid leadership on small
business issues, Sen Vitter has filed this important piece of legislation that
will help our members have a say in the rules that govern them,”” said Dawn Starns, NFIB/Louisiana State Director.
“Few small business owners can afford to pay attorneys or compliance
specialists to watch out for them. New rules, paperwork and fees directly
impact their ability to run a successful business.”
For more information about NFIB, please visit
www.nfib.com.
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