LANGHORNE, PA - Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-8), a member of the House Committee on Small Business, took to the House floor to mark Small Business Week 2017. Pennsylvania is home to over a million small businesses employing 2.5 million hardworking men and women, including more than half of those in Bucks and Montgomery counties. 

Fitzpatrick’s remarks are below and available to view/download HERE.

“There is no doubt that small businesses drive the American economy. Across the United States, small businesses create about two out of every three new jobs.

Since 1963, every President has designated this week, National Small Business Week to celebrate these economic engines and encourage policies that allow them to thrive.

When our local small businesses succeed, they create opportunity, invigorate communities and preserve the distinct character of our local economy.

That’s why I’ve committed to visit 100 small businesses across my district this year - and every year - to better appreciate the needs of local small businesses and to help them create good paying jobs in our communities. During my visits, I’ve heard common themes: a tax code that’s too complex, burdensome one-size-fits-all regulations from Washington, and lawmakers too focused on partisan bickering than working together to grow the economy.

As we turn our attention to small businesses this week, let’s put these concerns at the forefront and get to work on solutions.”

Fitzpatrick joined Republican and Democrat members of the Small Business Committee in introducing H.Res 288 – establishing Small Business Week. The resolution (full text HERE) details the impact of small businesses in America:

Whereas there are more than 29,600,000 small businesses in

the United States;

Whereas small businesses represent 99.9 percent of all businesses

with employees in the United States;

Whereas small businesses employ over 47 percent of the employees

in the private sector in the United States;

Whereas small businesses constitute 97.7 percent of firms exporting

goods;

Whereas small businesses are responsible for more than 46

percent of private sector output;

Whereas small businesses are responsible for creating 63 percent

of new jobs;

More information about Pennsylvania’s small business economic profile is available here from the Small Business Administration (BSA).