Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman from Maryland for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, starting a small business is never easy. Whether it is a family opening a restaurant, a contractor trying to grow their company, or an entrepreneur launching a new product, success takes hard work, access to capital, and the right support.

For many Native entrepreneurs, the barriers can be even higher. A good idea shouldn't have a smaller chance of succeeding simply because it is in Indian Country.

Too often, Native businessowners face challenges that make it harder to get their businesses off the ground--from limited access to financing and investment, to unreliable broadband service, to the long distances many businesses must travel to reach customers, suppliers, and markets.

That means great business ideas that could create jobs and strengthen a community might be less likely to get the support and access to those necessary needs to succeed.

It is not just a loss for Tribal communities. This can be a loss for our entire economy. Native-owned businesses

employ more than 300,000 people across the entire country. They create jobs. They drive economic growth, and they help build stronger communities. They deserve the same opportunities to succeed as other small business owners in America.

That is why I introduced the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act. This bipartisan bill strengthens the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Native American Affairs by establishing it in law and ensuring that Native entrepreneurs have a permanent advocate within the SBA, no matter who controls the White House.

The bill creates an assistant administrator to lead the office, to coordinate resources, and to help make sure that Tribal entrepreneurs can access the lending programs, the business counseling, and the contracting opportunities that already exist within the SBA.

Just as importantly, it creates accountability by requiring regular reports to Congress about how these efforts are working in Indian Country. This is a practical and bipartisan step that is going to help entrepreneurs start businesses, create jobs, and contribute to their local economies.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Jake Ellzey, Kelly Morrison, and Eli Crane for partnering with me on this legislation. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support this bill and to support the entrepreneurs, workers, and communities that it is going to benefit.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7396) to establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

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.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7396, the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, introduced by Representative Davids from the great State of Kansas, Representative Ellzey from the great State of Texas, Representative Morrison from the great State of Minnesota, and Representative Crane from the great State of Arizona.

The bill codifies the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration.

The SBA's entrepreneurial development programs help small businesses start, grow, and compete by providing training, counseling, and access to critical resources. For years, the Office of Native American Affairs has played an important role in delivering these services to Native American entrepreneurs and conducting consultations with Tribal communities.

Despite its longstanding work, the office has never been formally authorized by Congress.

In addition to codifying the office, this legislation strengthens oversight by requiring an annual report to Congress. The report will detail the office's activities, including the number of clients served, consultations conducted, and training provided.

The reporting requirement will improve congressional oversight and help ensure resources are being effectively deployed.

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

Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 7396 to ensure consistent, long-term support and access to resources for Native American entrepreneurs and Tribal businesses, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 7396 to strengthen economic opportunity in Native American communities and provide certainty that this important SBA office will continue its work.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 7396, the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, as amended, which would allow SBA to codify the Office of Native American Affairs.

I commend Ms. Davids, Mr. Ellzey, Ms. Morrison, and Mr. Crane for working on this bipartisan legislation.

We know that small businesses on Tribal reservations face a mix of challenges, ranging from lack of access to capital to inadequate business training. SBA's office has proven to be a valuable resource to Native American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, supporting approximately 2,000 small businesses every year.

Codifying the office will help make sure that small Tribal businesses have access to SBA's full range of business development tools regardless of the administration.

Moreover, the Assistant Administrator will report directly to the Administrator, making sure that the voices of Tribal communities will be heard throughout the SBA.

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids), the sponsor of this bill.

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

In closing, Native American-owned businesses are economic engines, generating $86 billion in sales, shipments, and revenues every year, and employing nearly 364,000 people in their communities.

The ONAA serves an important role in aiding Native American communities that lack access to Federal programs. By helping American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians launch, grow, and expand their small businesses, the office strengthens local economies and promotes economic development. This bill will go a long way in empowering Native entrepreneurs and supporting long-term economic growth.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7936, and I yield back the balance of my time.