Policy News -March 5, 2019

Policy News -March 5, 2019
March 5, 2019

Yesterday, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released a 60-day notice and request for approval from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) on conducting a survey for intermediaries that are eligible to participate in the Agency’s Microloan Program. The survey will explore ways to encourage increased participation in the microloan program and decrease the costs associated with participation. Additionally, the Office of the United States Trade Representative released the 2019 Trade Policy Agenda and 2018 Annual Report.
On March 6th, the House Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing titled, “Rebuilding America: Small Business Perspective” as well as a hearing titled, “Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2020.” The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a hearing titled, “Small Business and the American Worker.” The House Financial Services Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Putting Consumers First? A Semi-Annual Review of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.” The House Committee on Ways and Means will hold a hearing titled, “Our Nation’s Crumbling Infrastructure and the Need for Immediate Action.”
On March 7th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Small but Mighty: A Review of the SBA Microloan Program” The House Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing titled, “Energy Workforce Opportunities and Challenges.” The House Committee on Ways and Means will hold hearings titled, “Promoting Competition on Lower Medicare Drug Prices,” “Hearing with the National Taxpayer Advocate on the IRS Filing Season,” and “Leveling the Playing Field for Working Families: Challenges and Opportunities.”

On Capitol Hill

Floor proceedings

House: in session
·The House will convene and commence Special Order speeches.

Senate: in session
·The Senate will convene and proceed to executive session to resume consideration of the nomination of Allison Jones Rushing, of North Carolina, to be United States Circuit Judge for the Fourth Circuit.

Committee proceedings

House Committee on Small Business
· On March 6th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Rebuilding America: Small Business Perspective”
· On March 6th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Budget Views and Estimates for Fiscal Year 2020.”
· On March 7th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Small but Mighty: A Review of the SBA Microloan Program.”

Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
· On March 6th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Small Business and the American Worker.”

House Financial Services Committee
· On March 6th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Putting Consumers First? A Semi-Annual Review of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.”

House Committee on Appropriations
· On March 7th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Energy Workforce Opportunities and Challenges.”

House Committee on Ways and Means
· On March 6th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Our Nation’s Crumbling Infrastructure and the Need for Immediate Action.”
· On March 7th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Promoting Competition on Lower Medicare Drug Prices.”
· On March 7th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Hearing with the National Taxpayer Advocate on the IRS Filing Season.”
· On March 7th, the Committee will hold a hearing titled, “Leveling the Playing Field for Working Families: Challenges and Opportunities.”

Bills of Interest
· There is no recent activity to report.

At the Agencies

Department of Labor:
· The U.S. Department of Labor investigation results in a Colorado company paying $77,238 back in wages to resolve FLSA violations.
· U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding Women’s History Month.
· The U.S. Department of Labor renews alliance with Toledo Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee to improve workplace safety.
· The U.S. Department of Labor sues Massachusetts construction company for retaliation for facilitating arrest of injured employee.

Treasury:
· No relevant activities today.

SBA:
· No relevant activities today.

USTR:
· The Trump Administration charts a trade policy course more favorable to American workers.
· The Office of the United States Trade Representative released the 2019 Trade Policy Agenda and 2018 Annual Report.

Commerce:
· No relevant activities today.

Links You Can Use
For reviewing legislation and tracking appropriations: www.congress.gov
For reviewing proposed and pending regulation: www.federalregister.gov