The House Committee on Small Business held a hearing to discuss the role of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Advocacy in representing small businesses and its involvement in deregulation efforts under the Trump Administration.
Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX) opened the session by criticizing the Biden-Harris Administration for not appointing leadership to the Office of Advocacy. He stated, “The Biden-Harris Administration’s refusal to appoint leadership to the Office of Advocacy left small businesses voiceless and defenseless as the cost of regulatory burdens grew,” adding, “Under President Trump, we are restoring accountability to federal agencies and reversing the regulatory assault on Main Street. With Dr. Mulligan serving as Chief Counsel, the Office of Advocacy will fulfill its mission—holding federal agencies accountable, pushing back against harmful regulations, and serving as the voice for Main Street.”
During questioning, Chairman Williams asked about steps taken since President Trump took office to improve outreach and feedback collection from small business owners. Dr. Mulligan responded by emphasizing staff engagement outside Washington: “A significant fraction of my staff is not in Washington; they don’t have an office or a desk here. Every day, they’re out listening to small businesses. One of the things we did—I believe we set a record with no close second—is filling the regional advocate position, making sure someone was in place. We put together quite a training program for them, and they are very well integrated with what we are doing here in Washington. So that outreach is crucial to the whole mission of Advocacy—and really having good government here.”
Rep. Van Duyne questioned Dr. Mulligan about previous leadership at the Office of Advocacy during the Biden Administration and highlighted regulatory burdens faced by small businesses: “We have an empty chair right here. That’s what it was for nine years. President Biden didn’t even bother to nominate somebody for this. I think it’s an important job. I enjoy doing it, and I’m blessed that President Trump asked me to do this job.” Discussing regulatory impact, Rep. Van Duyne noted that smaller firms lack resources compared to large corporations when dealing with regulations.
Dr. Mulligan cited figures regarding new rules enacted under President Biden: “If we just count the final rules that were published in the Federal Register, it’s 12,025.” He estimated total economic costs at six trillion dollars over four years.
Rep. Downing referenced $1.8 trillion in regulatory costs imposed by 2024 under President Biden and asked about changes since President Trump took office. Dr. Mulligan said there had been a major shift: “It’s been a 180-degree turn—such a huge change...I think six trillion is the best estimate that we have of the Biden regulations—just four years’ worth of them.” He added that agency actions under President Trump reduced costs by more than one hundred billion dollars for small businesses.
Dr. Mulligan also described how his office influences rulemaking: “Really, the two steps I like to talk about are listening—we continue to listen; that’s my favorite part...Then relaying those experiences and trying to put them in practical terms for the agencies—you know, ‘Here are some rules you should look at.’”
