Workplace Issues

Small Contractors Say New Red Tape Pushing Them Out of Markets WASHINGTON – Today members of the small business community told Congress that President Obama’s executive orders are preventing small businesses from competing for federal contracts, raising costs for the taxpayers while killing jobs and economic growth. Today’s joint hearing of two subcommittees of the House Small Business Committee comes as House Republicans are offering a policy agenda to reduce the regulatory burden on small bus... Read more

Abilities shine in small businesses By Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH) The Cincinnati Enquirer August 16, 2016 Small businesses are more than just the backbone of the American economy. They are also the heart and soul of our communities in Ohio and across the nation. As chairman of the House Small Business Committee, I have seen first-hand how small businesses are leading the way in expanding employment opportunities for Americans with intellectual or developmental disabilities and disorders. For ... Read more

Layoffs, Benefit Cuts Coming Soon Due to Obama Overtime Rule WASHINGTON – As the December 1, 2016 compliance deadline for the Department of Labor’s new overtime rule rapidly approaches, traditional small businesses, technology start-ups, and other small employers told the House Small Business Committee today that they may soon be forced to layoff workers, reduce benefits and lower wages to cover the costs of the new federally-mandated requirements. “The DOL has heralded this rule as a long-over... Read more

TaskRabbit, Experts Describe Challenges of the Sharing Economy to Congress WASHINGTON – A representative for the on-demand platform company TaskRabbit told the House Small Business Committee today that the current tax, regulatory and legal climate threatens the success of entrepreneurs in the new sharing economy. The panel of experts described to lawmakers the bevy of new tax compliance challenges faced by small employers, employees and their customers as they navigate the online, app-driven sh... Read more

WASHINGTON – Today, entrepreneurs shared their personal stories with the House Small Business Committee about providing employment opportunities for adults with autism, Down syndrome and other intellectual or developmental disorders, syndromes, or disabilities. Witnesses told members of the Committee how these individuals boost morale and productivity in the workplace while raising awareness about the untapped talents and abilities of this often-overlooked community. “For adults with intellectua... Read more

Says Rule Threatens Success of Small Businesses and their Employees WASHINGTON - House Small Business Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH) made the following statement after the Department of Labor announced its final overtime rule, which will hurt small employers and their employees: “Yet again, President Obama has chosen to ignore desperate pleas from millions of America’s small businesses and whack them with a new regulation that will result in job losses, demotions, less flexibility, lower wages, a... Read more

John Ratzenberger Pitches American Manufacturing to Congress WASHINGTON – Emmy-nominated actor and “Made in America” advocate John Ratzenberger told members of the House Small Business Committee that the face of American manufacturing has changed dramatically in recent years, presenting new job opportunities for millions of Americans. Ratzenberger, best known as Cliff Clavin from the sitcom Cheers and the voice of Hamm from Pixar’s Toy Story movies, testified alongside a panel of small manufact... Read more

Send It Back: Small Biz Committee Urges OMB to Reject Harmful DOL Overtime Rule WASHINGTON – House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH) and Republican Committee Members today urged the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to reject a new Department of Labor (DOL) rule that will destroy jobs, lower wages, and reduce benefits for the millions of Americans who work for small businesses and other small employers. In a letter to Howard Shelanski, the Administrator of the Office of ... Read more

Ohio Entrepreneurs Share their Success Stories WASHINGTON – Days before National Small Business Week, members of Ohio’s small business community stressed to lawmakers the importance of protecting and strengthening a plan used by many small companies to help their employees save for retirement. "With National Small Business Week right around the corner, we must do all we can to support America’s 28 million small businesses which are responsible for seven out of every ten new jobs created," said H... Read more

Committee Hears Harrowing Story about Small Biz Cybersecurity Expert: Could Be Used as Conduit to Attack Gov’t Systems WASHINGTON – Today, a small business owner from Maine shared his harrowing personal experience as the victim of a cyberattack with members of the House Committee on Small Business. At the hearing, expert witnesses also told lawmakers that increased, sophisticated cyberattacks pose a threat to both small businesses and the federal government. “The owners, employees and customers... Read more