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House Small Business Committee chairman Rep. Sam Graves weighs in on small-business owners' concerns and optimism.
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The latest report from the national small business association finding.
Small business owners are losing confidence and fast with 86% anticipating a flat.
Or recessionary economy this year and only 38% anticipating their firms will grow that is almost a 50%.
Drop.
From last year's survey.
So how can we help America's job creators -- my next guest is working on just that he is representative Sam -- Republican congressman from Missouri.
And the chairman of the house small business committee congressman welcome to you.
You are the top Republican in congress fighting for small business you're giving small business of voice that this small -- read watch interactive website that she put up.
We know from this latest report that small business owners had even more worries than they did last year what are their chief complaint.
Well the biggest thing is saying is very consistently what you're hearing -- the surveys on the they're concerned about the economy overall.
And taxes.
-- -- a tax hike now coming now I'm not out of this administration.
They're also concerned about the regulatory environment out there and you know how health care is going to affect them.
And then the debt ceiling which continues to you to go up and and the overall debt and their being looked at the state courts -- -- very concerned about all of those things.
In its current budget battle do you think Washington has the best interests.
-- small business at heart.
Well I hope so but the unfortunate part is -- we're seeing -- in administration.
It continues to attack small business and they're looking at small business to pay for all of these apps.
-- spending sprees that are taking place Washington has a spending profits not revenue problem.
It's a spending problem and that's -- small businesses are concerned about we hear about it every single week.
And you point out that many small businesses don't have lawyers -- lobbyists and focus on this new environment whether it's regulation -- health care.
The list goes on and on and that's a serious problem a serious disadvantage for them cracks.
Exactly and.
You know they just don't have the resources that a lot of large businesses do when it comes to trying to express -- concerns that's one of the reasons why we're trying to provide that voice for small businesses.
I'm when it comes to by the federal government and -- the -- advocate for small business side here in Washington.
So when you look at our ballooning national debt and the battle currently over the deficit what's the best outcome that would be -- small business.
The best outcome would be for the federal government to reduce spending unless you -- there is so wait what gasoline half inch -- -- because.
We are.
Not getting enough -- asked to Wear those tough -- should come.
See I think the -- cut should come from everything.
But definitely we have to have some entitlement reform that's going to have to take place.
You've seen explosion and in night expenditures in all areas of government.
And it's going to have to be action back this assault understood in one of the things we're going to be doing -- -- all the committees are going to be you know.
Is -- those areas and our respective jurisdictions which will be -- -- on small business but how do you feel about the meat cleaver if you will cuts.
Regarding the sequestration in defense in particular.
Well it's gonna happen unless the president wants come to talk to us about meaningful cuts the house passed T bills now to try to divert some of the worst.
Outcomes when it comes sequestration this president just basically says now.
And as -- to talk to us he needs to come talk to us we get some meaningful.
Spending reforms out there otherwise it is going to happen and it's going to be very tough on a lot of different areas.
Let's circle back to small business because one silver lining in this national small business association -- an economic report.
That -- -- interview today congressman is that lending appears to be -- With 73% of small business reporting the ability to garner adequate financing.
Is that enough to rehabilitate to your satisfaction this industry.
Well.
That's -- small desserts are expanding what we're seeing is a lot of small businesses aren't expanding because of their concerns.
About the economy -- it's very good news.
When it comes to access to capital -- a small businesses moving forward but the majority those businesses they're just gonna wait and see and that's what they're telling us we're just gonna wait and see what happens.
As we don't want to put our necks out on the line and get burned by this economy.
Congressman Sam graves the pleasure speaking with you this afternoon thanks your time thank you very -- absolutely.
