National, Iowa Business Groups Laud Ernst’s Appointment to Ranking Member of Senate Small Business Committee

What They Are Saying

“Senator Ernst has proven to be a strong small business supporter during her time in the U.S. Senate,” said Kevin Kuhlman, Vice President of Federal Government Relations for the National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB). “She has earned the NFIB Guardian of Small Business Award every Congress, demonstrating her priority to pro-small business legislation that will strengthen the small business economy. Senator Ernst will continue to be a dependable advocate as Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and we look forward to continuing to work with her.”

“We are thrilled that Senator Ernst will serve as Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee,”said Matt Everson, the Iowa State Director for NFIB. “Just like she championed NFIB’s Small Business Challenge, rolling dough in Winterset at The Bakery Unlimited, our Iowa small business owners know Senator Ernst will work tirelessly on the committee to ensure they have a voice in the over-taxed and over-regulated world of Washington D.C. NFIB looks forward to working with the Senator and her team to shape a friendlier federal landscape for our small business owners and their employees.”

“America’s entrepreneurs and small business owners need strong leadership and champions in the U.S. Senate, and they will get that with Senator Joni Ernst as Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship,” said Karen Kerrigan, President and CEO of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council. “Senator Ernst understands both the pain points and opportunities that entrepreneurs encounter in the competitive and challenging modern economy, and that policies play a key role in enabling growth and success. SBE Council looks forward to working with Ranking Member Ernst, a proven small business leader, on the range of issues that need to be addressed to strengthen the ecosystem for strong startup activity and small business growth.”

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce applauds Senator Joni Ernst's appointment as Ranking Member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. Small businesses, and state and local chambers of commerce make up the vast majority of our membership,” said Tom Sullivan, Vice President for Small Business Policy for the Chamber of Commerce. "Regulatory modernization should be the top focus of the Committee's work on a comprehensive update to SBA's programs and operations, and Senator Ernst's proven track record of prioritizing red tape relief bodes well for that important legislative effort.”

“From her work supporting childcare providers to her efforts to increase federal contracting opportunities for more women business owners, Senator Ernst has pushed to advance women’s economic and entrepreneurial empowerment,” said Tené Dolphin, the Executive Director of the National Women’s Business Council (NWBC). “The National Women’s Business Council (NWBC) looks forward to gaining insights from her continued leadership on issues impacting women in business as Ranking Member.”

“AWBC welcomes Senator Joni Ernst as the new Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship for the 118^th Congress,” said Corinne Goble, CEO of the Association of Women’s Business Centers. “As a champion of women’s business issues, we applaud her commitment to this committee and look forward to working alongside her on our policy priorities in support of women entrepreneurs, especially reauthorization of the Women’s Business Center (WBC) program.”

“We appreciate Senator Ernst’s commitment to help women-owned companies secure adequate capital to grow,” said the Women’s Procurement Circle (WPC). “WPC is dedicated to improving the Woman-Owned Small Business/Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB/EDWOSB) program, and we look forward to working with Ranking Member Ernst on this initiative.”

"We're very excited to see Senator Joni Ernst named Ranking Member of the U.S. Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship,” said Alfredo Ortiz, President and CEO of Job Creators Network. “Senator Ernst is a firm defender of small business, standing up to the IRS and voting for the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Senator Ernst has taken the time to listen to the small business community and advocate on their behalf. We look forward to working with Senator Ernst to ensure the needs of small businesses are met so we can bring America's job creators back to economic prosperity."

“NAGGL and the SBA 7(a) lending industry are enthusiastic about Senator Ernst’s new role as Ranking Member and congratulate her on a role well-deserved,” said Tony Wilkinson, President and CEO of the National Association of Government Guaranteed Lenders (NAGGL). “As a long-time leader on small business issues, this new role is the perfect fit and we’re looking forward to working closely with Senator Ernst on the pressing issues facing access to capital for small businesses.”

“Senator Ernst has consistently and effectively demonstrated her commitment to advancements for the small business community throughout her Senate career, and we look forward to advocating for small business owners together,” said Rhonda Pointon, President and CEO of the National Association of Development Companies (NADCO). “In her new leadership role on the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, we know she will make a tremendous impact for Certified Development Companies and the borrowers they serve.”

“With inflation, supply chain disruptions, and the economic slowdown, American entrepreneurs are facing unparalleled challenges that impact their ability to grow their small business,” said Erin Pelton, Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs for Shopify. “Pragmatic solutions that break down barriers to new markets, streamline government tools, and bring resources into the 21st century have never been more vital to the success of the hundreds of thousands of Shopify small businesses across the country. We look forward to working with the new Ranking Member, Senator Joni Ernst, and all the members of the Small Business Committee on these issues and more to make commerce better for everyone.”

“The Council welcomes Senator Ernst in her new role as Ranking Member,” said Michelle Burnett, Executive Director of the HUBZone Contractors National Council. “Many HUBZones are located in rural areas, including parts of Iowa. We look forward to her leadership on improving and expanding the HUBZone program.”

“As a leader for women veteran-owned businesses, we are thrilled Senator Ernst has assumed the Ranking Member role,” said Laurie Sayles, Chair of the Women Veterans Business Coalition (WVBC). “She brings a unique perspective with her 23 years of military service, and truly understands our issues.”

“Small and midsize IT companies ensure that the federal government has the most effective and secure information technology resources,” said Chris Alsup, Executive Director of GovEvolve. “We look forward to working closely with Senator Ernst in her new role to make sure these providers continue to have fair access to the federal marketplace.”

“We need to make international trade a priority in Congress and to give small businesses the resources they need to compete in the global economy,” said Andy Karellas, Executive Director of the State International Development Organizations (SIDO). “Senator Ernst understands the important role trade plays in our economy and has been a strong advocate to open new markets and reduce trade barriers. We applaud Senator Ernst’s appointment as Ranking Member and look forward to working closely with her to help more small businesses export.”

“Senator Ernst has been a leader in the contracting space for small government contractors during her tenure on the Small Business Committee,” said the Montgomery County (MD) Chamber of Commerce GovConNet Council. “We are excited about her new role as Ranking Member and look forward to working with her to improve federal contracting for small companies.”

"The Alliance congratulates Senator Ernst for becoming Ranking Member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee,”said Warren Katz, Chairman of the Alliance for Commercial Technology in Government. “We applaud Senator Ernst’s leadership on the passage of the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022 and look forward to working with Senator Ernst to reduce barriers for commercial startups and strengthen their ability to work with the government.”

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