U.S. Chamber Calls for 'Common Sense' Changes to President's Small-Business Branch

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Chamber of Commerce called for common sense reforms for the White House's Office of Advocacy - the administration office charged with protecting the interests of small business, in testimony today before the House Small Business Committee.

"Small business owners face a staggering amount of regulation on the federal, state and local level," said Giovanni Coratolo, Chamber director for small business policy. "An Office of Advocacy that understands the consequences of a regulation in its earliest stages will help protect such businesses before flawed rules and regulations are published."

The Chamber supports reforms that create greater continuity of leadership within the Office of Advocacy, specify a line item for funding for the Office within the President's budget, and consolidate the Regulatory Fairness program under the Chief Counsel's direction. Such reforms would encourage federal agencies to keep the concerns of the nation's 24 million small businesses in mind when writing regulations and create a more business-friendly atmosphere at every level of government.

"There are thousands of complicated regulations already on the books that affect small business owners," said Coratolo. "With a clear mission and the right tools to effectively work for small business, the Chief Counsel can have a profound impact in helping small businesses clear these regulatory hurdles."

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

# # #

01-46