News From Congresswoman
Nydia M. Velázquez
Representing New York's 12th Congressional District - Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens
Ranking Democratic Member, House Small Business Committee

For Immediate Release
April 7, 2005

CONTACT: Kate Davis, Allyson Ivins, (202) 225-4038

Democratic Attempts to Help Small Business Blocked by Republican Chairman
Unfair treatment during committee mark-up leads to Democratic protest

WASHINGTON - Democracy took a hit yesterday as Republicans on the House Small Business Committee continued to block pro-small business amendments and abruptly cut off debate, which later prompted Democratic Members to walk out in protest.

The events took place surrounding the Committee mark-up of H. Res. 22, the "Small Business Bill of Rights," a seemingly non-controversial bill that would provide small businesses with non-binding rights. Despite the fact Democrats submitted their amendments in a timely manner to the committee, Chairman Donald Manzullo (R - IL) initially forced a four minute time limit on Democrats to debate the amendments. Democrats intended to offer several amendments to improve the bill and make it reflective of the small business community as a whole.

However, the Chairman made an unprecedented move and cut the debate off altogether - forcing a vote to block any further Democratic amendments, which passed along party lines. This transpired after the fourth amendment had been offered, when a Democratic Member was about to offer an additional amendment that would put the Committee on record for supporting minority business development, in addition to one on economic development that was not allowed to be brought up. These amendments were based on input from a previous hearing on the legislation, where small business owners testified on the need to modernize minority business development programs, and invest in low-income communities as a top priority for small business.

"This act is truly a disgrace and it is shameful that this committee - intended to represent the entire small business community - has come to this," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "We constantly hear about the need to export democracy to Iraq; yet the Chairman isn't practicing these democratic principles right here in our own committee. This bill was meant to represent the needs of all small businesses and it is appalling that all Members' concerns and recommendations for this legislation were not heard. This is not how democracy is meant to work."

Yesterday's events seem to point to a troubling pattern. This came on the heels of a similar committee mark-up a few months ago where Republicans on the Committee, led by the Chairman, took a similar action and prevented Democratic Members from debating amendments. In addition, the Chairman chose not to even hold a mark-up to discuss the committee's Budget Views and Estimates for the Small Business Administration (SBA) - making it the first time in over a decade where the mark-up was not held.

The excuse the Chairman gave for the need to rush through the mark-up was due to a hearing which was to immediately follow. However, the start of the hearing did not actually convene until nearly an hour later - given the day's events Congresswoman Velázquez and her Democratic colleagues walked out in protest.

"This is not the right way to run a committee - cutting off debate and blocking amendments is not the way to serve small businesses," Congresswoman Velázquez said. "These actions are simply undemocratic and are not keeping in right with the previous fair and balanced Chairmen such as Jim Talent, John LaFalce and Parren Mitchell."

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