About The Committee
History and Jurisdiction
On December 4, 1941, the U. S. House of
Representatives created the first House Select
Committee on Small Business in response to
a growing number of small business activists
and organizations advocating for more protections
and better government policies for America’s
small businesses. While it had no legislative
authority, the select committee became popular
with House members and was reauthorized every
following Congress until January 5, 1975,
when it was made a permanent standing committee.
House members then granted the new standing
committee with certain areas of legislative
jurisdiction and oversight functions, increasing
its scope and influence.
Specifically, the House Small Business Committee
is charged with assessing and investigating
the problems of small businesses and examining
the impact of general business practices
and trends on small businesses. The committee
has oversight and legislative authority over
the Small Business Administration (SBA) and
its programs, as well as provides assistance
to and protection of small businesses, including
financial aid and the participation of small
business enterprises in federal procurement
and government contracts.
The House Small Business Committee in the
110th Congress consists of 33 members, 15
Republicans and 18 Democrats.
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