Regional Leadership Council Discusses Implementation of Investing in America Agenda with SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman
WASHINGTON, DC – Members of the Regional Leadership Council (RLC) and its Chair, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), met with the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Isabel Casillas Guzman yesterday to discuss how Democrats' Investing in America agenda is creating new opportunities for small businesses. From helping small businesses and their employees weather the COVID-19 pandemic with the American Rescue Plan to making small businesses more competitive through programs in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and CHIPS and Science Act, the laws that Democrats enacted in the 117th Congress have fueled a small business boom across America. Since President Biden took office, Americans have applied to start over 14.6 million new businesses across America.
Amid the SBA's Season of Small Business, Administrator Guzman and the RLC discussed how House Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration can continue working together to ensure small businesses in every corner of the country can access the opportunities and federal resources that these laws made available. The meeting also highlighted the importance of supporting minority-owned small businesses, rural small businesses, and small businesses focused on innovation in key industries.
"Investing in America means investing in the American small businesses that form the backbone of our economy," Congressman Hoyer said. "From infrastructure to manufacturing to workforce development, the investments Democrats secured last Congress are helping small businesses, entrepreneurs, workers, and families get ahead. Every small business – no matter where in America – ought to be able to access these opportunities. Democrats are working together to ensure they can. The Regional Leadership Council was pleased to talk with SBA Administrator Guzman about how we can best advance that mission."
"America is in the midst of an unprecedented small business boom with more than 14.6 million new business applications filed since President Biden took office," said SBA Administrator Isabel Casillas Guzman. "This explosion of entrepreneurship has strengthened our economy, and the SBA is committed to building on this momentum as we look toward the future. From delivering $50 billion in support to small businesses to enhancing our outreach efforts to underserved communities, the last fiscal year furthered our core goals as an agency and we remain hard at work to ensure that the American dream of entrepreneurship remains in reach for all.”
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries created the Regional Leadership Council in January 2023 and appointed Congressman Hoyer to serve as its Chair. In addition to Congressman Hoyer, the council consists of twelve Members who each represent one of the United States' twelve regions. The council is working to ensure that Americans in every corner of the country and in every zip code can access the opportunities created by the historic policies that Democrats secured in the 117th Congress, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act, the Inflation Reduction Act, the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the Honoring Our PACT Act, and many others.
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