The Chamber’s Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness hosted officials, lawmakers, and business leaders for the “Shaping the Future of Capital Formation: The INVEST Act and Beyond” forum, exploring shared commitments to capital expansion and economic opportunity.
Why it matters: The House-passed INVEST Act will expand investment access, unlock capital, and modernize regulations.
Big picture: Representative Ann Wagner (R-MO), Chair of the House Financial Services Committee (HFSC) Capital Markets Subcommittee presented an ambitious, bipartisan vision for small businesses.
- “There are innovators and entrepreneurs in every small town across this great nation. Let’s not just give them a chance—let’s set them up for success. Let's make sure government works for them, not against them. The JOBS Act proved that getting this right is possible. The INVEST Act is how we keep it going.”
Be smart: Representative French Hill (R-AR), HFSC Chairman, proposed how the legislation will empower entrepreneurs.
- “For too long, outdated regulations have stood between our entrepreneurs and the capital they need to innovate and grow. The committee's INVEST Act is at the heart of that. The bill empowers entrepreneurs and eliminates obsolete, costly regulations that stifle growth and innovation.”
Thinking ahead: Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chairman Paul Atkins shared outlooks for capital formation as lawmakers consider the INVEST Act.
- “The House has acted. The Senate is very engaged. And the SEC stands ready to do its part in keeping America’s capital markets open, dynamic, and, above all, worthy of the trust that investors place in them.”
Key Insight: A message from Senator Tim Scott (R-SC), Chairman of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and industry insights from the Carlyle Group, Carta, Nasdaq, and the Maryland Chamber of Commerce were featured.
- On providing tools to drive growth, Sen. Scott explained, “We need to make it easier for people to have access to credit and capital. It shouldn’t take wealth to create wealth.”
- Minh Ta, principal at The Carlyle Group, described obstacles to companies’ success. “The JOBS Act was helpful, but it's still very costly for most companies to go public. What we need to do is promote an investor and regulatory environment to create a more level playing field.”
The bottom line: Free markets and capital formation empower entrepreneurs and small businesses—the foundation of America’s economy. By promoting a competitive marketplace and modernizing regulations, the INVEST Act will protect new investors, expand capital access, and strengthen communities.
