Green Bay Reporter

Congressman Tony Wied from Wisconsin's 8th Congressional District has introduced new legislation aimed at aiding small businesses across the United States. The bill, known as the Destroying Unnecessary, Misaligned, and Prohibitive (DUMP) Red Tape Act, seeks to provide small business owners with a direct line to report burdensome federal regulations.

The proposed act would establish a hotline managed by the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. This "Red Tape Hotline" would allow small business owners to voice their concerns about federal regulations that they find overly burdensome or unnecessary. Congressman Wied emphasized the importance of this initiative by stating, “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, but they often lack the time and resources to navigate complex regulatory frameworks.”

The backdrop for this legislative move includes an increase in federal regulations over recent years. A 2024 report by the House Committee on Oversight highlighted that $1.7 trillion in new regulatory costs were added during the Biden Administration's tenure. These costs reportedly resulted in more than 300 million hours of regulatory paperwork, posing challenges for small business operations.

Under the DUMP Red Tape Act, the SBA Chief Counsel for Advocacy is tasked with creating a system where feedback from small business owners can be documented and reviewed. The hotline will be accessible through various channels such as email, web form, or phone. It will also produce annual reports to Congress outlining problematic rules and recommending agency reforms.

The bill has garnered support from notable figures such as House Small Business Committee Chairman Roger Williams from Texas. He remarked on its potential benefits by saying, “Representative Wied’s bill gives small business owners a direct line to report the regulations holding them back.”

This initiative aims to streamline feedback processes and enhance transparency within federal agencies while empowering small business owners.