Common sense EASE Act would help simplify maze of agencies and offices that businesses face when seeking federal assistance to help boost exports, access capital, and grow jobs

Last year, President Obama asked Congress for consolidation authority that would allow him to restructure executive branch agencies to boost efficiency, but Congress failed to act on the President’s request

Kuster: NH businesses should be able to access federal services with ease

Source: https://www.whitehouse.gov/businessusa

To help make it easier for Granite State companies to create good, middle class jobs, Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) today introduced common sense legislation to streamline federal services for businesses that are looking to grow, boost exports, and access capital. Kuster’s bill, the Executive Agency Simplification and Efficiencies (EASE) Act, would help consolidate duplicative agencies and redundant programs to improve services for businesses and simplify the maze of departments many companies confront when seeking federal assistance.

“Granite State businesses that are looking to boost their exports, secure a loan, or access new markets shouldn’t have to navigate a confusing maze of agencies just to access the services they need,” Kuster said. “We need to make it easier – not harder – for our businesses to grow and succeed. By streamlining duplicative agencies and programs, we can save money while strengthening services that help Granite State businesses expand, create middle class jobs, and grow our economy.”

In January 2012, President Obama called on Congress to reinstate the “consolidation authority” past presidents have enjoyed that would allow him to reorganize and restructure executive branch agencies. Congress failed to act on the President’s request and has also failed to address the redundancy and duplication in federal agencies that help boost American competitiveness.

In making his request for consolidation authority, the President identified six major departments and agencies primarily focused on supporting American businesses and trade:  the Department of Commerce, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, the Export-Import Bank, the Small Business Administration, and the Trade and Development Agency. In an infographic illustrating the problem, the Administration outlined the web of federal points of contact available to American businesses seeking federal assistance.

The EASE Act would help address this duplication by streamlining and consolidating agencies that provide important services to businesses in New Hampshire and across the country. Under this legislation, the Comptroller General of the United States would be required to submit to Congress and the President a legislative proposal that would: 1) decrease the total number of agencies that promote American competitiveness, exports, and businesses in order to improve and simplify services for businesses, and 2) produce cost savings for the federal government.  Congress would be then be required to give this proposal expedited consideration.

A member of the House Small Business Committee, Kuster has prioritized efforts to foster job creation, grow the economy, and expand opportunity for middle class families. Last month, she hosted a Career and Opportunities Fair in Nashua,  toured a West Lebanon brewery to discuss legislation that would cut taxes on New Hampshire’s small brewers, visited a Salem company to highlight the importance of boosting small business exports, and hosted a 21st Century workforce roundtable in Hudson with students, business owners, and education leaders.

She has also introduced legislation to extend and expand a federal pilot program to help boost small businesses exports, supported legislation to make permanent the federal research and development tax credit, helped lead the fight to prevent pending regulations from harming New England farmers, and worked to protect New Hampshire small businesses from burdensome online sales tax collection requirements.

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