Editorial -- Sam Graves Attacks on College Grads Not Factual

Congressman Sam Graves is entitled to his opinions about whether President Joe Biden’s student loan forgiveness, in which he forgave $10,000 from every person making up to $125,000, and $20,000 if they were on Pell grants, has merit or not. However, he is not entitled to his own facts. 

In his column that appeared in the September 1st Nodaway News-Leader, he wrote, “The President has arbitrarily made the determination that truckers and plumbers should foot the bill for lawyers and executives.”

As a Northwest alum, Congressman Graves’ comment is simply not true. Most of us are not lawyers and executives. Some people went on to work in business, but Northwest is one of the top teachers colleges in the area and they offer many different ag programs as well. They supply many of the teachers who teach our kids. Northwest does not offer law degrees, and while they have a high rate of job placement, they do not produce a lot of CEO’s either. They produce people who work hard and play by the rules.

Most of the other schools in Cong. Graves’ district are the same way. Missouri Western offers a strong nursing and criminal justice programs. Truman State is one of the top liberal arts schools in the state and has a broad variety of programs. William Jewell has been cited in US News & World Report, the Princeton Review, Forbes, and Washington Monthly as one of the top colleges in the country. 

All of them offer a wide variety of degrees and programs for their students. Jewell, for instance, offers 40 different programs. Truman offers over 50. Northwest offers over 200. Missouri Western offers 77. Most of them do not involve becoming CEO’s or lawyers like Congressman Graves claims. 

Congressman Graves actually has a point when he raises concerns about increasing the deficit. Like many things in Washington, plans are put forth without any kind of plan on how it is going to get paid. We would have preferred that such a plan, which costs the taxpayer around $300 billion, be paid for somehow. Do we get a return on investment when people who no longer have student loan debt hanging over their heads invest in the economy? Do we raise taxes on the wealthy? Do we cut defense spending, or welfare programs, or find it somewhere else? While the government can print its own money, they still have to worry about inflation, which has slowed down, but is still too high. 

But there was no need for Congressman Graves to attack those of us who graduated from college by stereotyping us as lawyers, execs, or rich people. We have enough division in this country.

Graves Announces Funding for Maryville Street Project

Congressman Sam Graves, (MO-06), Ranking Member for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, announced that the South Main Street Corridor Project in Maryville has received a RAISE Transportation Discretionary Grant.

 The $5.925 million grant will go towards funding Phase II of the project.

“I’m thrilled to see this project receive additional funding,” Graves said. “This corridor is going to be beautiful and will greatly enhance safety and ease of travel through Maryville. Congratulations to all who put in the effort to get this grant. I’ve enjoyed seeing the progress so far and can’t wait to see South Main street completed.

The RAISE Grant program was previously called the BUILD Grant program before being renamed. Graves secured a $10.4 million BUILD grant in 2018 for Phase I of the project, which is currently under construction.

Black Friday Shows Politicians a Reflection of Society

This year, according to the Wall Street Journal and the National Retail Federation, there were 140 million people, or almost 40% of the country, out shopping on Black Friday. The big winners? Gigantic multinational corporations along with their CEO's and shareholders. There were ugly scenes at various department stores around the country as people were fighting each other tooth and nail for the best possible deals. And in some parts of the country, Wal-Mart workers were demanding better wages for themselves.

If anybody wonders why we have such unpopular politicians, then all we have to do is look in the mirror. Congress has record-low approval ratings; Gallup pegged them at about 9% last month. And yet, most Americans believe that their Congressman is not part of the problem, which means that around 90%+ of incumbents will return to office again. There is a big difference between what Americans think of their own representatives and what they think of Congress in general. That is why we continue to have gridlock in Washington.

People may well be outraged at corporatist SCOTUS Justice John Roberts. Based on his Citizens United ruling as well as his Obamacare ruling, among others, Roberts believes that corporations, given their ability to create millions of jobs and keep the economy going, represent the highest form of good. Roberts is normally a moderate to conservative justice. However, when corporations argue before the Supreme Court, Roberts casts that to the winds and makes his ruling based on how it will affect the bottom line regardless of political affiliation. This is why he voted both for Citizens United, which upholds unlimited corporate campaign spending as long as it is not directly given to a candidate, as well as Obamacare, which forces all Americans who can afford it to get health insurance. People for the American Way notes that Roberts sides with the US Chamber of Commerce around two thirds of the time when they intervene in a SCOTUS case. And the New York Times notes that this is the most pro-corporate court since World War II.

And Obama's popularity has cratered to the lowest that it's been since his Presidency began. It is now anywhere between 37% (CBS) and 42% (CNN). The Dow Jones is at its all-time high. But the problem is that wealth inequality is growing, according to the October 10th edition of the LA Times. Other factors that are sinking his popularity include the problems associated with the Obamacare rollout, the NSA spying scandal, and the IRS auditing taxes of conservative groups.

And yet when the Black Friday doors open up for the best savings of the year, we, as a society, can't wait to push each other over and burst open the doors. We happily keep the coffers of the movers and shakers flowing through our mad shopping rush. The economy, although better, remains stagnant five years following the Great Recession of 2008. It seems as though we are continuing to buy into the notion that if only we would shop more, we would finally turn the prosperity corner and get back to where we were. And then we wonder why we don't have enough money to pay the bills.

The problem is that we are struggling with the false god of materialism. If we are sick and tired of the reckless spending that is plaguing Washington or Jefferson City, then maybe the solution starts at home. Maybe the way to get this country back on track is for each of us to live within our means, don't borrow unless absolutely necessary, and put aside as much money as possible to save. Then, if we want jobs to stay here in the US instead of going overseas, we should buy small instead of big. After all, as Congressman Sam Graves has consistently noted, small businesses are the drivers of our economy, not large megacorporations contrary to popular belief. He should know; he is the chair of the House Small Business Committee.

Over the past few years, people fed up with the way things were going have taken to organizing. Those fed up with corporate control of our lives organized themselves into the Occupy Movement while those fed up with deficits, Obamacare, and too much government control of our lives organized themselves into the Tea Party Movement. But most of the same people who were in power then are still in power now and Obama is still President (unless, of course, you don't believe he was a citizen in the first place). The problem is that politics is a reflection of society. Maybe if we live within our means, buy local when possible, and buy from a small business when possible, we can be the change we want to see in Washington and Jefferson City.

Editorial -- President, Politicians Golfing as Sequester Looms

While a sequester that would create devastating cuts looms, there is no urgency in Washington whatsoever to address the problem. President Obama was on vacation golfing with oil industry lobbyists while Congress is currently on vacation as well. This means one of two things -- either the problem is not as serious as we are being led to believe, or our politicians have decided that they just don't care anymore.

The problem starts in the mirror. Poll after poll shows that around 75% of Americans think that Congress does not reflect their values. Yet here is the kicker -- they think that their Congressman is not part of the problem. Hence, for instance, Sam Graves gets reelected handily, getting 72% and 65% in the last two elections. And for all the visceral Obama hate out there, we reelected him as well. The point is that we should not reelect Congressman Graves or President Obama automatically; we should reelect them because they accurately reflect our interests.

The next problem is with the media. The corporate media acts like gatekeepers and decides who is important and who is not. Since Ross Perot threw a scare into the two-party establishment in the 1990's, certain gatekeepers have set up rules that stack the deck in favor of the two party system. We, on the other hand, feel that everyone has a right to be heard and plan our coverage accordingly. 

There is plenty of other blame to go around. The church is supposed to be salt and light to the world. Yet too many church organizations and leaders have become propaganda outlets for one party or the other instead of being willing to show independence. After all, God is supposed to be much more important than some political party or system. And organizations create objective sounding names and purport to be think tanks, yet all of their "conclusions" conveniently reflect the propaganda of the party that they are serving.

Ultimately, we have brought this mess on ourselves. Unless something happens between now and March 1st, we will start to pay the consequences.

Letter to the Editor -- Five Trillion Dollars!

Dear Editor,
Five Trillion Dollars! That is the amount the national debt Obama has increased (so far) since he was immaculated in January 2009. This is in addition to the tax revenue we taxpayers paid. To be fair to Obama, he needed the Congress to vote for the national debt increase prior to his insane spending spree.
Many Republicans joined with Democrats in Congress to raise the debt limit. Unfortunately, our Sixth Congressional District Representative, Sam Graves, was one of those Republicans who crossed the aisle joining the Democrats to vote for a humongous two trillion dollar debt limit increase last summer. Two Missouri Congresspersons voted "NO" on this huge Obama debt limit increase. Praise to Congressman Todd Akin, now a candidate for the US Senate, and Congresswoman Vicki Hartzler for their conservative stance to stop our country’s runaway spending.
Fortunately, Republican Bob Gough is opposing Sam Graves in the August 7th Primary election. I urge Republicans to vote for Bob Gough for the Sixth District Congressman.
Bob Holliger
Independence, Mo

Graves Primary Opponent says House Leadership Promoting “Fiscal Carnage”

Bob Gough, Republican Candidate for the Missouri Sixth Congressional District and primary opponent to Sam Graves, addressed the Kansas City Pachyderm Club last Tuesday describing his campaign and the increase of the federal debt by $2.1 trillion last summer.
Gough stated that "Obama used the politics of fear and division to create ruinous debt that must be repaid by our children and grand-children. A federal debt of 16 trillion dollars is unsustainable and we are now at the point of having to borrow money just to pay the interest on money already borrowed. But Obama and Congress doubled-down on our existing debt to increase our debt by 2.1 trillion dollars.
"Our Sixth Congressional Representative voted for this huge debt limit increase. Now, House Speaker John Boehner is conducting a new campaign to again increase our national debt limit in December or January of next year. The Sixth District needs an independent Representative that will say 'no' to more debt limit increases."
Gough said that our Representative is a team player with Speaker Boehner who supports President Obama on fiscal issues. He said that he would not be a team player when our leadership is promoting fiscal carnage caused by debt.
The newly redrawn Sixth Congressional District is the largest Congressional District in Missouri. It comprises the Northern one-third of the State of Missouri. The District includes the Kansas and Nebraska border on the West, North to the Iowa border, and East to the Illinois border.

Opinion: Missouri Farm Bureau Applauds Common-sense Missouri River Amendments

Missouri Congressmen Emanuel Cleaver, Sam Graves and Blaine Luetkemeyer were successful this week in adding important provisions to the 2013 Energy and Water Appropriations Bill. Congressman Cleaver transferred $3 million to the Flood Control and Coastal Emergencies account. Congressman Graves sponsored an amendment to reduce funding for the Missouri River Recovery Program by $21 million to a total of $50 million. Congressman Luetkemeyer authored language to continue defunding the Missouri River Authorized Purposes Study (MRAPS) and the Missouri River Ecosystem Restoration Plan (MRERP). Congress defunded both programs for Fiscal Year 2012.

Missouri Farm Bureau President Blake Hurst, a farmer from Atchison County in northwest Missouri, commended the three members of Congress for their leadership on these common-sense amendments, "Congressmen Cleaver, Graves and Luetkemeyer have listened to their constituents, those who live and work along the Missouri River, and understand the importance of both flood recovery and managing the river in a balanced manner not based simply on bureaucrats' views of ecosystem restoration. It makes sense to spend limited federal dollars wisely; not on unnecessary studies or expensive experiments.  We are grateful to those who supported the amendments and will work to secure their inclusion in the Conference Report. The Missouri River is a tremendous resource that provides many benefits; we cannot let it be hijacked by those who disregard private property rights or have an agenda that puts fish and birds above people."

Sam Graves Receives Tea Party Challenge

Tax fighter advocate Bob Gough of Lee's Summit has filed for Congress in the newly created Sixth District, which includes Southeast Lee's Summit, portions of Eastern Jackson County, and portions of Kansas City North of the Missouri River. The District includes large portions of Missouri North to Iowa and East to central Missouri.
Bob Gough founded the Jackson County Taxpayer Association in 2000 and has been an advocate for taxpayers for many years. He joined with other tax payer advocates to defeat a recent ballot measure for an eighteen percent increase in the Lee's Summit school tax.
Bob Gough is member of several community organizations including the Kansas City Pachyderm Club, President of the Missouri State Federation of Pachyderm Clubs, Lee's Summit Masonic Lodge, American Legion, Elks Lodge, Silver Strings Dulcimer Players and the Lee's Summit Republican Club.
Bob Gough served his country in the US Army in an infantry training Brigade. He has a BS degree in Mathematics and was a high school mathematics teacher. Bob and his wife Helen have been married for thirty years. Together they have three children and three grandchildren.
Gough's campaign will focus on the fiscal damage he says was caused by last year's increase of the federal debt by $4 trillion. "I am proud to be part of the Tea Party movement. At the urging of Obama, Congress voted to increase our national debt by $2.4 trillion and to authorize Obama to increase it by an additional $1.6 trillion. Our Sixth District Congressman voted for Obama's huge debt increase bill.
"Our elected officials are using the politics of fear and division to create ruinous debt that must be repaid by our children and grand-children. Four members of Missouri's Republican congressional delegation voted for this huge debt increase. Vicky Hartzler and Todd Akin voted against the Obama debt limit increase. I am proud to stand with them on this important issue."

Northwest Cell GM Testifies Before US Congress, Sam Graves

Today, Roger Bundridge, General Manager of NorthwestCell and a member of RCA’s Board of Directors, testified before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Healthcare and Technology hearing entitled, “Broadband: A Catalyst for Small Business Growth.” Bundridge discussed the need for competitive carriers like NorthwestCell to receive sufficient and predictable support through the new universal service mechanisms to maintain, upgrade and expand their networks to support consumers and other small businesses. Bundridge also expressed the importance of access to useable spectrum, availability of devices and roaming on commercially reasonable rates to compete with the largest carriers and expand mobile broadband, especially in rural areas.

“Wireless carriers like us play a critical role by providing service to rural and otherwise underserved areas and acting as a competitive balance to the largest carriers,” Bundridge said. “For us to remain competitive in an increasingly consolidated industry, and to continue to expand service to difficult-to-serve areas, Congress must support policies that level the playing field and allow smaller carriers to grow."

In a statement, RCA president & CEO Steven K. Berry said, “I thank Roger for his testimony, as many other RCA members share the same challenges as NorthwestCell. Policymakers’ decisions will likely determine the livelihood of many competitive carriers, especially smaller carriers, and it is critical that Congress and the FCC consider the impact on the small businesses and consumers they serve. Access to sufficient and predictable universal service support, access to useable spectrum, roaming on commercially reasonable rates, and the availability of cutting-edge, interoperable devices are critical issues for competitive carriers across the country. We look forward to our continued work with Congress and the FCC to ensure decisions on these issues benefit consumers and small businesses across the country.”

Sam Graves: Small Businesses Need FTA Passage

The clock has run out.

On July 1, the European Union-South Korea free trade agreement goes into effect. Then, on Aug. 15, the Colombia-Canada free trade agreement will take effect — leaving U.S. small businesses at a competitive disadvantage in the international marketplace.

There has been recent progress on three pending trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea — but time is of the essence.

The slow progress certainly does not help our small businesses, which are already facing uncertainty because of skyrocketing energy costs, excessive federal regulations and possible tax increases. We owe it to small businesses to open new markets and lower trade barriers so they can compete with their foreign counterparts and increase their exports.

More exports means more revenue and job creation. In fact, $1 billion in U.S. exports creates 6,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. In addition, the independent U.S. International Trade Commission estimates passing the trade agreements will increase U.S. exports by $13 billion and create 75,000 jobs — all without one dime of new government spending.

Phil Wise, the owner of Wise Family Farm in Harris, Mo., gave sobering testimony on the necessity of passing the trade agreements at a recent House Small Business Committee hearing. “While we sit on our hands,” Wise said, “other pork-exporting countries are moving forward with FTAs of their own with Colombia, Panama and South Korea. … [Iowa State University economist] Dr. Dermot Hayes calculates that we will be out of the Korea and Colombia markets in 10 years if the U.S. fails to implement its agreements.”

The key to America’s long-term economic recovery is held by flourishing small businesses — our nation’s most robust job creators. Small firms create more than half the nonfarm private gross domestic product and employ more than half the U.S. workforce. In fact, 64 percent of net new jobs over the past 15 years were created by small businesses.

But we have to provide the market opportunities and resources for small businesses to compete — so they can grow and hire more workers.

With 95 percent of the purchasing market outside the U.S., small businesses and farmers understand the opportunities and benefits of exporting. Like large U.S. companies, small businesses face a variety of trade barriers that limit their ability to compete — including higher tariffs, technical standards and foreign customs regulations.

Most small firms, however, do not have the resources and capital to navigate complex trade barriers. As a result, many simply do not export. This is why passing all three trade agreements is critical. They remove both tariff and nontariff barriers, protect intellectual property and streamline the trade process.

More than 20,000 U.S. companies export to South Korea alone — and more than 18,500 are small businesses. The South Korea FTA will increase total U.S. exports by $10 billion, according to ITC estimates, including $2.8 billion from small- and medium-sized U.S. companies.

Passing the trade agreement with Colombia would also increase opportunities and level the playing field for small businesses. Most Colombian exports already enter the U.S. duty free, while U.S. exports face tariffs as high as 35 percent. Lowering the barriers would generate an estimated $2.5 billion per year to the U.S. GDP and increase exports by more than $1 billion.

“My customers [in Colombia] have been paying 20 percent tariffs on hundreds of thousands of dollars on my imported products, and this has reduced the range of items that they could purchase from me,” said Roy Paulson, president of Paulson Manufacturing in California.

In addition, more than 7,200 small businesses now export to Panama. Passage of the FTA with Panama would allow more than 88 percent of U.S. exports to enter duty free and increase U.S. exports by a whopping 145 percent.

The benefits of these three job-creating agreements for small businesses and our economy are too big to move this slowly. It’s time for America to get in the game.

The longer we wait, the longer small businesses will be at a disadvantage, which means waiting longer for a full economic recovery.

Sam Graves Cosponsors Bill to Protect Cigar Companies from Regulation

Congressman Sam Graves has cosponsored a bill that would protect cigar manufacturers from FDA regulations. The bill, HR 1639, would amend the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify the FDA's jurisdiction over small businesses involved in the sale, manufacture, and distribution of traditional and premium cigars. The bill goes on to limit the FDA's jurisdiction over traditional large and premium cigars and prohibits the secretary of the FDA from promulgating any regulations on any matter that involves such products.

The bill defines traditional large and premium cigars as any roll of tobacco that is wrapped in leaf tobacco, contains no filter, and weighs at least six pounds per 1,000 count; it does not include cigarettes or little cigars. The bill does not define small businesses.

The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Subcommittee on Health.

Second Harvest Says Recent Legislation Would Gut Aid Programs

by Second Harvest

After nearly 20 years of bipartisan commitment to ensure funding for critical nutrition assistance to our country's most vulnerable, the House of Representatives voted last week to gut funding for the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program in a move that seeks to deny nutrition assistance to as many as 350,000 newborns, very young children and mothers in HB 2112.

WIC provides funding for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk.

Additionally, the same piece of legislation dramatically cut funding to the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) and the Commodity Food Supplemental Program (CSFP). CSFP is a Federally funded program, which has had success improving the health of low-income pregnant and breastfeeding women, other new mothers up to one year postpartum, infants, children up to age six, and elderly people at least 60 years of age by supplementing their diets with nutritious USDA commodity foods. TEFAP supplements the diets of low-income needy persons, including elderly people, by providing them with emergency food and nutrition assistance.

TEFAP and CSFP programs provide more than half of the food distributed by Second Harvest Community Food Bank across our 19 county service territory. Second Harvest will be re-evaluating how to feed the local needy due to these cuts.

Recently Second Harvest joined food banks from around the country in releasing the results of a nationwide study of food access. That study concluded that low income residents of Northwest Missouri and Northeast Kansas are missing 8.7 million meals annually. If enacted as written, this bill would remove access to an estimated 500,000 additional meals exploding our local meal gap to 9.2 million.

“To put that number in perspective, imagine your child or your parent ending a day having missed a meal because their house or apartment was completely devoid of food. Then consider that single occurrence happening 9.2 million times a year mostly in the lives of young children and the elderly,” says Second Harvest Executive Director David Davenport. “This is the worst kind of public policy - it's ideology over common sense, it's poor bashing to satisfy the worst kind of political behavior. Low income Americans don't have much of a political voice, they cannot hire lobbyists and they do not make contributions to political campaigns. The poor just try to survive.”

Summer 2011 has Second Harvest partnering with Brittany Village Apartments in a pilot program to provide supplemental food boxes for 150 low income families. They can expect 25 pounds of dry and canned goods and additional produce to be delivered in June, July and August. According to program director Linda Laderoute, “We hope that this will enable us to support hungry families this summer and expand to meet the greater need next summer.”

Summer is rough on many of our children. Often times, hungry kids can't wait to get back to school so they can have at least two balanced meals a day. They exist on minimal resources during the summer and research indicates that even mild under-nutrition during critical periods of growth impacts the behavior of our kids, their school performance, and their overall cognitive development. For more on Summer Hunger visit the Harvest Blog: http://www.ourcommunityfoodbank.org/blog_site

With the measures taken this month to cut critical nutrition assistance to families with children, summertime for our nation's children will likely continue to be a time of great need in this country. To see how your State Representative voted and voice your concern regarding HB 2112, see the following links: http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/bills/112/hr2112
http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2011/roll459.xml)

Editor's note -- Congressman Sam Graves voted for this legislation.

To make a donation to Second Harvest follow this link: http://www.ourcommunityfoodbank.org/give_money

Graves Calls For Greater Access to Capital

House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) today held a full committee hearing to examine access to capital needed by small businesses to grow and create jobs. Small business owners and bank lenders testified to the many challenges they are facing when deciding to expand or to lend money. “For small businesses to expand and create jobs— they need adequate financing,” said Graves. “However, a lack of economic confidence coupled with the new, cumbersome and inconsistent lending requirements is leaving many business owners unable to obtain the capital they need just to stay in business. On the other hand, in the wake of the financial crisis, lenders want to ensure their customer is credit worthy. “Small businesses are our best job creators and they are the linchpin that will lead our economy back to prosperity. We need to provide economic and regulatory certainty to allow businesses to thrive. At the same time, we must open the doors for alternative finance options such as, venture capital, angel investing, and private equity to help bridge the divide between small business owners and lenders to spark growth in our economy.” To view Chairman Graves’ opening statement, witness testimony and related hearing documents, click here.

Notable Witness Quotes:
William Hall, CFE/CEO of William G. Hall & Co., (franchisee of 5 Dairy Queen locations) Fort Worth, TX, and testifying on behalf of the International Franchise Association, said, “With access to capital, franchising could be a true locomotive for local job growth. Franchise businesses are poised for stronger growth in 2011 than in 2010—2.5 percent according to the IFA’s 2011 economic forecast. While we estimate that franchise businesses will be able to access $8.4 billion in lending this year, this analysis also shows that we will face a $2 billion shortfall in available loans. This shortfall will result in a loss of nearly 8,000 franchise unit transactions, both new business development and transfers, and a loss of more than 82,000 jobs and $10.7 billion in annual economic output. If we close this gap and meet the full potential for growth, franchise businesses could create more than 332,000 new jobs and 41,000 new franchise establishments in 2011.”

Dr. Dennis Jacobe, Chief Economist at Gallup in Washington, DC, said, "[T]he value of housing and real estate normally plays a significant role in small business lending. Further, housing involves numerous small businesses. Stabilization and improvement of housing values would significantly enhance small business lending.” Jacobe went on to say, “[A]lthough many small businesses have found ways to operate within a high energy cost environment, high and volatile gas prices create major uncertainties for small business revenues and cash flows. Something needs to be done to stabilize energy prices.”

Lynn Ozer, Executive Vice President of Susquehanna Bank in Pottstown, PA, and testifying on behalf of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders, said, “The combination of capital constraints and problem assets coupled with an enhanced awareness of the need for prudent lending in this economic environment has caused many lenders to become even more selective with their conventional small business lending. Loan underwriting standards are significantly tighter today than they were just a few short years ago. The result is that many creditworthy small businesses have difficulty accessing conventional loans to provide the capital that they need to grow their businesses, growth that is essential to the nation’s economic recovery.”

Robert Kottler, Executive Vice President and Director of Retail and Small Business Banking at IBERIABANK in Lafayette, LA, and testifying on behalf of the Consumer Bankers Association, said, “It is important to understand how a decline in sales and home values has affected small business lending. There are several considerations involved in underwriting a small business loan. Two of the most critical components are cash flows (historical and projected) and the value of the collateral. While banks have been more prudent with their underwriting, the decline in these two most important criteria - cash flow and home/collateral values- were reasons behind the reduction in lending. Couple that with an increase in capital requirements and regulatory uncertainty, and it is clear why the last few years have been so difficult, but we see things improving.”

Graves Asks Corps to Slow Down Releases

U.S. Congressman Sam Graves has asked the Corps of Engineers to slow down their plans to release record amounts of water from upstream dams later this month. In a phone call Tuesday evening to Brigadier General John McMahon, Graves expressed his concern that the water being released upstream will likely result in significant flooding in Missouri.

“Everyone understands that the Corps has to release water,” said Graves. “However, the volume set to come downstream right now will amount to a man-made natural disaster. I want to find out if there is any extra capacity that can be used upstream.”

The problem began last year with record snowfall and was made worse this spring by heavy rains in the upper basin. By mid-June, record flows on the Missouri are projected to increase to about 150,000 cubic feet per second. The amount of water in the Missouri River will likely top several levees throughout Missouri. Graves said he wants the Corps to take a second look at all their options.

“The answer is not to simply release more water and create larger floods downstream,” said Graves. “The impact on farmers and landowners all along the Missouri is going to be tremendous if they carry out this plan. I am urging the Corps to hold as much water as possible upstream.”

Graves did not get an immediate answer from the Corps on whether they will reexamine the situation.

Graves: The Only Way to Grow Our Economy is Small Businesses

This week marks the 48th annual National Small Business Week, a recognized time to celebrate the contributions of small businesses to the economic well-being of America. Republican Members of the House Small Business Committee will celebrate American small firms by holding forums and listening sessions in Congressional districts across America this week.

Small businesses create seven of every ten new jobs and employ over half of the country’s private sector work force. They are the key to solving our nation’s unemployment problem; and if we want to get our economy back on track, we must find ways to spur small business growth.

The economic downturn of the last few years has taken quite a toll on American entrepreneurs. Despite their hard work and determination, many small business owners struggled to make payroll and many were forced to close their doors for good. One of the most significant obstacles faced by our small companies during this tumultuous period has been access to capital.

Capital is critical for small business success. Small firms lack the resources of their larger counterparts and rely on financing to carry out their daily operations. Without it, they would be unable to replenish inventory or purchase new equipment and many would simply cease to exist. Small businesses need diverse ways to access capital to start their business, invest in their company, and meet unexpected challenges, and it’s important for banks to work closer with their small business customers to make sure they have the capital they need to accomplish these goals.

While the Obama administration claims that lending standards to small firms have loosened, the fiscal crisis and a stricter regulatory environment have left banks wary of lending to small businesses. Additionally, uncertainty over the direction of the economy, healthcare reform, taxes and regulations make small businesses more vulnerable as the compliance burden posed by complex rules and mandates grows.

A monumental piece of legislation that is impacting access to capital is the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act,” which became law in July of 2010. The bill was designed to address the financial meltdown but it is creating many unintended negative consequences.

In order to help small businesses gain access to the credit and capital they need to run their business successfully, Congress must adopt policies that support functional capital markets without imposing undue restrictions on providers of debt and equity capital. Additionally, Congress must remove barriers that prevent participation in and utilization of the SBA financing programs.

Congress can protect small businesses by providing effective oversight over SBA policies and make sure they take into account the needs of small businesses while also protecting taxpayer dollars. Congress also needs to make sure that new banking regulations do not make it more costly for community banks to lend to small businesses.

As Chairman of the Small Business Committee, I intend to delve into the state of the economic environment for both banks and small businesses and the federal regulatory pressure on both entities.

In early June, my Committee will be holding a hearing on the issue of access to capital and we will explore innovative ways that banks are reaching out to small businesses and how the government can help create a better atmosphere for those financial relationships.

In addition, our Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax and Capital Access Chairman Joe Walsh (R-Ill.) will hold a hearing on the impact of Dodd-Frank this summer.

The precarious state of our economy, combined with unnecessary overregulation by the Obama administration, has restricted small business access to capital.

I have heard firsthand from several small business owners about their struggle to borrow and their fear of taking on additional debt. Government should stand aside and let the business community prosper, instead of imposing new regulations that will only stifle growth and limit access to capital. I am hopeful that the Senate and the president will join with the House and work to help more Americans start and grow their small businesses.

House Passes Legislation to Increase American Energy

The House of Representatives voted to increase domestic energy production, create jobs and lower prices this week. H.R. 1229 and 1231 both received bi-partisan support as lawmakers recognized the need to end our dependence on foreign oil and create jobs.

“We can create American jobs and break our dependence on foreign oil by using our own resources,” said Graves. “Its common sense legislation that will address two of the biggest problems we face today- unemployment and high gas prices.”

In 2008, Congress lifted the moratorium on energy exploration on the Outer Continental Shelf. However, since then the Obama administration has maintained a de facto moratorium by decreasing the available area and slow-walking permits. The legislation passed by the House would expedite permits and open up more areas for energy exploration.

According to the Energy Information Agency, production in the Gulf is expected to drop by 220,000 barrels per day. The slow down of permits has caused at least 13 drilling rigs to leave the Gulf of Mexico. Each rig can employ up to 200 people directly and hundreds more indirectly.

“We are at the mercy of other countries and the world market for our energy needs,” said Graves. “These bills will put Americans back to work, producing American energy.”

Both pieces of legislation will now go to the Senate where their prospects are uncertain.

Graves: Small Firms Need New Markets

Navigating the trials of international trade barriers is akin to “watching a cow poke its head through a sharp barbwire fence and struggle to get that next piece of greenery,” said John Taylor, President of T-Tech Inc., a leading manufacturer of printed circuit board prototyping systems.

Located in Norcross, with 15 employees, T-Tech opened its doors in 1983 and started exporting in 1988. Despite the cumbersome trade process, exports now account for approximately 60 percent of this small firm’s gross sales.

With 95 percent of the purchasing market outside the U.S., small businesses like T-Tech understand the vital importance of opening new markets in order to compete in the global marketplace.

“Any area of the world that is becoming tech savvy is a potential market for us. Right now we export to over 46 different countries — including Colombia where the U.S. is currently discussing a free trade agreement.

“Opening the doors to free trade in Colombia and eliminating the burdensome tariffs would be an enormous asset to my business. And more exports equal the ability to create more jobs,” explained Taylor.

T-Tech is just one example out of the thousands of American small businesses that continually deal with difficult trade barriers.

In fact, 97 percent of identified U.S. exporters are small businesses — yet that only represents a small fraction of those who could compete globally if trade barriers and high tariffs were reduced. Most small firms lack the resources and capital to navigate through trade barriers and as a result, many simply do not export.

This is why passing the pending free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and Korea is critical. Trade agreements with all three countries were concluded in 2007; however, no congressional action has been taken.

Passing the agreements is a surefire way to spur job creation, spark long-term growth in our economy and ensure that America remains competitive in the global marketplace — all without one dime of new government spending.

But we must act now. While the Obama administration continues to hold the agreements, our global competitors are aggressively moving forward with similar free trade agreements. In July, the Colombia-Canada and European Union-Korea free trade agreements will go into effect, placing American small businesses at a competitive disadvantage if the pending U.S. agreements are not passed.

As chairman of the House Small Business Committee, I have heard from dozens of small business owners who are counting on the three trade agreements to expand their businesses.

It would be damaging to not pass the agreements before July and cause small businesses and farmers to lose more market share to foreign competitors and opportunities to create quality American jobs.

The U.S. International Trade Commission estimates that the three trade agreements combined would increase U.S. exports by $13 billion — and for every $1 billion in U.S. exports, an estimated 6,000 jobs are created.

In 2010 alone, American exports supported nearly 10 million jobs, including an estimated 4 million for small businesses. Additionally, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reports that jobs supported by exports pay as much as 18 percent higher than the national average.

We must do more to eliminate the uncertainty and obstacles plaguing our job creators. And approving the stalled free trade agreements to provide a level playing field would be a great first step.

Graves' Statement on April Jobs Report

House Small Business Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor reported that 244,000 jobs were created in April while the unemployment rate rose to nine percent:

“While any job creation is always welcomed news, we still have a long way to go as evidenced by today’s unemployment rate. The number of Americans who filed unemployment claims for the first time during the final week of April was the highest level since August of 2010, and the underemployment rate, which includes people who’ve stopped looking for work and those settling for part-time jobs, rose to 15.9% from 15.7% the previous month. These numbers shouldn’t be a surprise, as the Obama Administration continues to pursue anti-business policies that are especially damaging to small employers, who are the primary source of job growth in the United States. On top of this, high energy costs are making it increasingly difficult for small businesses to add employees and invest in their companies. The estimated 29 million American small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and we must foster policies that allow them to prosper - not be crushed by higher taxes and more regulations.”

Editorial: FDA Busts Amish Farmers; Are We Next?

I'm sure that I speak for a lot of people on this matter. I suggest that Barack Obama get his act together and get his FDA under control. It seems that the FDA spent one year and thousands of dollars of our taxpayer money investigating an Amish farm in Pennsylvania which was just trying to make an honest living selling milk to people. This is not the change that we voted for when we voted for him back in 2008.

Give me a break -- why isn't the government going after the real criminals? Let's just give an example of how the government is failing. Around here, there has been a lot of concern raised about the sale of K2, which is a marijuana synthetic. And that may just be the tip of the iceberg, seeing that there are versions such as K4 and several other variants. Yet it seems that Obama and certain advocates of a police state would rather drive mom and pop concerns out of business for the benefit of large corporations while letting the real criminals, those who would sell K2 and other such drugs to our children carry on.

Congressman Sam Graves in a recent news release rightly says that small businesses need new markets in order to compete. I think he should go farther -- I think Congressman Graves, along with Senator Roy Blunt and Senator Claire McCaskill have an obligation to blow the whistle anytime the government spends tens of thousands of our taxpayer dollars and spends one year of their valuable time going after mom and pop businesses and failing to go after the real criminals who would prey on our children. No matter where it happens. Because who knows -- we could be next. Nobody is safe in this day and age.

How would we feel if it were, say, Sheridan Grocery or Country Corners or Modern Day Veterans Bar & Grill who was next on the government's hit list of mom and pop businesses? Certain people in Washington seem to think that our present economic woes are a mental disease of some kind. We need a government who will use their common sense and facilitate people who are trying to make an honest living. We all agree that some rules are necessary for a society to function -- even Ron Paul would only cut the government by 50%. But certain rules that are appropriate for, say, Wal-Mart or Dollar General are not appropriate for mom and pop operations which are simply trying to make an honest living.

Let's suppose for the sake of the argument that the FDA rules in question were completely appropriate and necessary for public health reasons. That still does not justify the thuggish tactics of the FDA, who spent thousands and thousands of our taxpayer dollars and a whole year in undercover investigations treating an Amish family like terrorists or criminals instead of working with them to correct the problem. When the government engages in this sort of thuggery, this vindicates people like Ronald Reagan, who used to say that the worst words one could hear is, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help." But when the government works with people like this Amish family to rectify the problem, then there is always a solution.

Opinion: U.S. Senate Keeps Money Flowing to Planned Parenthood

by the Missouri Family Policy Council

The United States Senate has voted to continue allocating federal taxpayer dollars to Planned Parenthood. The Senate voted down a resolution previously approved by the U.S. House of Representatives which would have terminated funding for the nation's leading abortion provider. Missouri Senator Claire McCaskill voted to continue the flow of federal dollars to Planned Parenthood, while Missouri Senator Roy Blunt voted to terminate future federal subsidies to Planned Parenthood.

"This vote made clear which senators care more about the interests of the politically influential abortion lobby than the lives and safety of American women and families," says Charmaine Yoest, President of Americans United for Life. Planned Parenthood clinics performed more than 332,000 abortions during 2009. Yoest points out that Planned Parenthood has announced plans to expand its abortion operations, mandating that every affilite must have at least one abortion clinic within the next two years. Tony Perkins, President of the Family Research Council, says the Senate vote is an affront to taxpayers at a time of trillion-dollar budget deficits. "Taxpayers send Planned Parenthood more than $360 million each year, more than one-third of their $1 billion income. At a time when the federal deficit is growing to suffocating proportions, taxpayers should not be subsidizing a scandal-plagued abortion giant."

The victory for Planned Parenthood comes in the wake of extremely damaging recent information concerning Planned Parenthood's business practices. Undercover videos showed numerous Planned Parenthood clinics willing to collaborate with individuals engaged in human trafficking. Previous repulsive practices uncovered included a willingness to cover up cases of statutory rape, and a willingness to accept donations for the purpose of aborting black preborn children. The U.S. House had previously voted 241-185 to zero out federal funding of Planned Parenthood. Missouri Congressmen Todd Akin, Sam Graves, Billy Long, and Blaine Luetkemeyer, and Congresswomen Jo Ann Emerson and Vicky Hartzler voted to halt federal appropriations to Planned Parenthood. Congressmen William "Lacy" Clay, Emmanuel Cleaver, and Russ Carnahan voted to support funding for the nation's leading agent of death for children in the womb.