Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2018

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6316) to clarify the primary functions and duties of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

I rise today in support of H.R. 6316, the Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2018, which clarifies the role of the Office of Advocacy of the United States Small Business Administration.

The Office of Advocacy is charged with representing small businesses before Federal agencies whose policies and activities may affect small businesses. It also examines the role of small business in the American economy and the contributions small businesses can make in improving competition. This office plays a vital role in ensuring that small businesses are heard when the Federal Government makes policy decisions that will impact them.

Currently, the law is silent regarding the Office of Advocacy's ability to study the role of small business in international economies, which is an important avenue for small businesses as they seek opportunities to expand overseas. This bill would clarify that the Office of Advocacy should include international economies as part of its research functions.

The law is also silent regarding the Office of Advocacy's authority to represent small businesses before foreign governments and international entities. It is important for small businesses to have their views and interests on regulatory and trade initiatives represented in the international space.

This bill clarifies the Office of Advocacy's ability to represent small business views and interests before foreign governments and other international entities for the purpose of contributing to regulatory and trade initiatives.

I want to thank Mr. Comer and Ms. Adams for working on this issue and producing a simple solution to clarify the Office of Advocacy's role.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this straightforward legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer), and I thank him for his leadership on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to, again, thank Mr. Comer and Ms. Adams for their leadership on this measure.

The Office of Advocacy is a critical Federal agency charged with representing America's 30 million small firms across the Federal Government. They have done outstanding work on behalf of our Nation's small businesses. But as we have discussed, current law is silent on whether it can research and advocate on behalf of small business on international matters. This bipartisan legislation offers a simple solution to allow the Office of Advocacy to expand their role in international matters.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6316, the Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act.

There are nearly 30 million small businesses in the United States, representing more than 99 percent of all businesses. These small firms employ nearly 50 percent of all private sector employees in the U.S. The SBA's Office of Advocacy represents an important tool for these businesses because it is their voice that the office embodies in all matters of government.

Clarifying the authority of advocacy to examine international economic data and represent small business interests in international discussions, particularly in trade negotiations, raises the ability of small American firms to participate in a global market.

Mr. Speaker, that is why I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

There is no question that we need to support our small businesses across the country, no matter their location or industry, when they are attempting to break into international commerce. Today's bill leverages the unique position and knowledge of the SBA's Office of Advocacy to amplify the voice of small firms in international settings.

I commend Congressman Comer and Congresswoman Adams in taking the important step to break down international barriers for small entrepreneurs entering into the world of trade.

Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6316, the Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2018.

I am proud to be the sponsor of this bipartisan legislation. The Office of Advocacy at the United States Small Business Administration plays a vital role in ensuring Federal agencies take into account how their policies impact small businesses.

While the Office of Advocacy has done excellent work on behalf of our Nation's small businesses, the current law is silent on whether it can research and advocate on behalf of small business on international matters. This is a problem that we can easily fix.

Given the Office of Advocacy's knowledge and research on how regulations impact small businesses, it is appropriate for the office to advocate and research small business interests on international matters. This bill advances the Office of Advocacy's mission to advocate for America's small businesses and clarifies its authority on international small business issues.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important bipartisan bill.