the ground tell you >> 118th congress has 80 freshmen house members, c-span spoke about the ring, careers before coming to congress and their ideology. some includes -- include texas rep sedative jasmine. that begins on c-span two, you can watch all the freshman online on c-span.org or download our free beer app -- video app c-span now. >> early setting morning the coronation of king charles the third will take place. he became the king of england, following the death of his mother, queen elizabeth ii. c-span will air the coronation in its entirety, from -- to the

official crowning of the new king. the coronation of king charles the iii. online at c-span.org. at the table this morning is kevin kuhlman, he is the vice president for federal government relations. thanks for being here, it is national small business week. describe what it is like right now for small businesses post-pandemic. guest: thanks for having me today, happy small business week to the more than 33 million small businesses, it is the nation's leading small business efficacy organization, we advocate on behalf of nearly 300,000 small business owner members in all 50 state capitals in washington dc, the guiding principle, our mission statement is to promote and protect the right of small business owner

members to own, operate and grow their businesses. it is great to be here. small businesses face an uncertain future and have economic challenges coming out of the pandemic. inflation and workforce shortages are the close one and two of small business concerns. more than half of small business owners cannot fill open positions. the good news is they continue to try to hire, even as large businesses are shutting jobs. inflation remains pervasive, which makes everything in the supply chain more expensive. just businesses overall more expensive and difficult operate. host: what about the issue of crime in downtown cities for small businesses, what impact is that having? guest: downtown crime makes it harder for a small business to operate, you see larger retail stores close because of crime that has a ripple effect on smaller businesses, more boarded-up shops downtown means fewer customers.

there is a ripple effect, small business owners -- it increases their insurance costs. so there are negative impacts of that, of increased crime on small business owners. host: what type of employees are businesses looking for and are there enough of them? guest: it is a range, anything from skilled employees, skilled in trade and certainly construction, manufacturing and those industries. also in skilled employees for entry-level positions. it ranges, it is a mix of soft skills and hard skills. nearly half small business owners cannot fill open positions. of those that are trying to hire, almost 90% are unable to find qualified applicants. small business owners are finding the workers and what they can do to try to attract and retain employees.

they are increasing wages and benefits, taking on the training themselves, creating a training program as well as not requiring as higher standards as they may be used to, a certificate as opposed to a degree. they are doing everything they can to try to attract and retain qualified employees, it is just difficult. host: what is the percentage of small businesses that employ teenagers, are there policy issues around employing the youth of the country? guest: i do not know the exact percentage, i not many locations you see help wanted, all positions. so there are opportunities for teenagers. i think small business owners would be more willing to take on less skilled, younger employees. it is a very competitive market, you have to pay a competitive wage for your local economy.

there are other localities that require higher minimum wage thresholds. you need whatever employee you do employ to be productive enough to justify that. many business owners are taking on the training themselves, they be more than willing to take on a teenager willing to show up on time, willing to learn and contribute. they are open to something like that. host: senator bernie sanders, who had been advocating for higher minimum wage, will be talking about on capitol hill today. what is happening on a state level? guest: different states and localities are moving at different thresholds. in certain states like new york, california and massachusetts, they are pushing for higher than $15 an hour. in d.c., it is higher than that. i think around $60 50 cents with another step up in july. -- $16.50 with another step up in july.

it means business owners must become more productive, it is another challenge. another variable for small business owners. our members are generally against substantial increases to minimum wage, you see proposals of $20 or more per hour that would be difficult in these economic conditions. we believe the local economic conditions are what should drive the minimum wage and, because business owners are competing for employees, it is above the federal standard in many states where does exist. host: we are taking questions and comments about small businesses in america, the u.s. economy. we have divided the lines by region, eastern and central (202) 748-8000, mountain pacific (202) 748-8001. if you are a small business owner or employed by a small business, your line this morning is (202) 748-8002.

you can join us by texting, include your first name, city and state, to (202) 748-8003. kevin kuhlman is our guest, let us begin with your reaction to the white house celebrating the national small business week. here's the fda administrator on the biden administration's efforts to help small businesses. >> you faced in person to challenges, made her choices and pivoted and adapted to survive. the president took swift action to fight the pandemic and helped millions of small businesses survive with the american rescue plan and critical covid relay for small businesses. your perseverance help to drive one of the most historic economic comebacks we have ever seen, know this president and vice president are working hard to make sure our small

businesses continue to survive and thrive by investing in america and creating billions of dollars of opportunity. dollars in contracts and savings for small businesses they will get from investments in infrastructure, pathways to growth by making more in america with american manufacturing and mystic supply chains, increased sustainability as we build a clean energy economy of the future. guest: i joined the administration and celebrating the achievements and contributions of small businesses throughout the country, there are more than 33 million small businesses across the country. they are -- contributions are very important. we like to describe the small business path of the economy, small businesses produce nearly half of private sector jobs. they produce about half of gross thomistic product.

when the small business half of the economy is strong, the national economy is strong. it is not always the same as the stock market. there are warning signs, i mentioned the current challenges of inflation and workforce shortages, there are forward-looking indicators that are concerning. expectations for better is this conditions a six months from now is near historic lows. small business optimism is well below historic averages. small business economy is driven by how small business owners feel. when they feel good about the economy, we asked members if they think the economy is in a recession, more than half said they consider us in a recession. that is concerning. but i sure the feelings that we want to celebrate the perseverance of small businesses and we want them to survive and thrive. host: this is from a viewer texting to ask what the impact

is on small businesses if the government defaults on paying the interest on national debt. guest: the house passed the debt ceiling increase last week before they departed for their district work period, the president called for a meeting at the white house next week. that is encouraging news. the secretary declared june 1 or the subsequent weeds -- weeks that follow, but it seems everyone is willing to negotiate. they want to drive hard bargains, but are willing to negotiate. small business owners are dealing with increase in rising interest rates, if those inquiries further, that would be a challenge. particularly for those borrowing to continue operations order grow their businesses. that is certainly concerning. small business owners are also concerned with government spending. trying to get the rationality in future government spending, come

to a reasonable conclusion would be encouraging. there are recent encouraging signs, hope we avoid that. host: edgar in milwaukee. caller: our democracy -- if you want to bring down inflation, bring in more immigrants. the parties are fighting each other and do not care about the country. labor, you had your television up and it is difficult to hear you with the echo. all of those on the line, mute your television and talk into your phone. guest: small business owners are increasing compensation at near historic levels, they are adding benefits, doing what they can to recruit and retain employees. members might disagree about

cheap labor, they are trying to find the best employees and retain them. they are not just talking the talk, they are walking the walk we had. -- walk. host: charles in mississippi, what is your business? caller: i have a farm. the bond market will soon deprive the united states of access to funds to run the government, whether or not we raise the debt ceiling. what do you think they're going to do to address the fact they borrowed so much money they cannot pay it back, so interest rates are going out the ceiling? guest: in the next couple of years, interest payments will exceed defense spending. that is concerning. mentioned -- members are concerned about rising interest rates, concerned about increased government spending. trying to control those factors,

hopefully debt limit negotiations are promising. we certainly have many agricultural and former members, we are trying to advocate on their behalf the ability to pass along their business to the next generation. pushing back against changes is important. protecting exchanges, making sure there is sensible tax policy to ensure small family farmers and family-owned businesses do not have to sell off portions of their business or borrowed to pass along to the next generation. host: we are talking with kevin kuhlman with the national federation of independent business, who represent small business owners. we divided the lines by >> watch the rest of the program at c-span.org.

we take you live to a hearing with top public health officials before the senate health committee. the cdc director dr. rochelle lenski and the -- dr. rochelle walensky and the commissioner of the fda dr. robert kayla --ca ;of --califf.

dr. califf: thank you. the senate committee on health education and labor pensions will come to order and we will year from two panels. we will hear fro