SERV Act

Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair and ranking member for their leadership. I appreciate what we are able to do on the Small Business Committee for Main Street America.

I rise today, Mr. Speaker, because as a Member of Congress, it is our duty and responsibility to protect and support our Nation's veterans.

Back in 2023, it was my distinct pleasure to have Commander Taylor Burks of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District testify at a Small Business Committee hearing on veteran entrepreneurship. He is now serving a deployment in the Indo-PACOM, so we wish him well.

We learned not only about the unique skill set that veterans can bring to small businesses but also about the obstacles that veterans face many times when trying to open small businesses and live out the American Dream.

It was imperative for Members to hear how the committee and the Small Business Administration can better serve those who served this great Nation.

As a result, my colleague Representative Sharice Davids and I introduced the Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans, or the SERV Act.

This bipartisan legislation, which passed through the Small Business Committee unanimously last Congress, will help veteran small business owners and entrepreneurs succeed by studying the barriers faced when starting a business.

This bill will commission a report on the outreach and promotion of existing veteran-focused small business programs to make sure that veterans can access all the available resources, the capital, and the counseling that they need to succeed.

Mr. Speaker, this legislation also mandates the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development to devise an outreach and promotion strategy for programs available to veterans transitioning into the business world.

When veterans' service to our country ends, they should not face additional difficulties in accessing capital and resources. With transparency and increased reporting, we can better ensure that they get the support that they need and the support that they deserve. I am proud to co-lead the SERV Act with Representatives Davids and Conaway.

This bill, Mr. Speaker, is a win for our districts, our veterans, and our great Nation, the United States of America.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of the Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act, otherwise known as the SERV Act. This bill would study the barriers that veterans face when starting or owning a small business.

Starting a small business is not a one-size-fits-all process. Each individual encounters unique challenges when striving to open their dream business. That is why it is essential that, as Members of Congress, we support legislative initiatives aimed at identifying and addressing the obstacles that small business owners and entrepreneurs face.

The SERV Act is one such initiative. It would enhance outreach and promotion of existing veteran-focused small business programs, ensuring that veterans can access all available services, resources, capital, and credit.

This bill would provide a report on the availability of veteran and reservist small business owners' access to credit. It would require the Small Business Administration's Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development to develop an action plan for outreach and promotion of the many programs available to veterans transitioning into the small business world. It will ensure that the task force reports annually to Congress on its outreach efforts for programs available to veterans, service-disabled veterans, reservists, and their spouses.

For many of our Nation's veterans, transitioning back to civilian life can be daunting, especially for those seeking to start their own small business.

As an Air Force veteran and vice ranking member on the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I believe it is not only crucial but imperative that our government support our Nation's veterans in every possible way.

The SERV Act is a bill that will provide robust support for veterans' small business development and help veterans achieve their entrepreneurial goals.

I thank Chairman Williams and Ranking Member Velazquez for their support of this legislation and moving it forward. Certainly, I thank the lead sponsors, Representatives Alford and Davids, for their gracious support of me and for helping to sponsor this bill and move it forward.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 828) to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to report on the veterans interagency task force, to require the Comptroller General of the United States to report on access to credit for small business concerns owned and controlled by covered individuals, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 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. 828, the SERV Act, led by my colleagues Representatives Davids, Alford, and Conaway.

It is an honor to reflect on the tremendous contributions of our veterans who have defended our freedoms and continue serving our country once they transition back to civilian life, often on Main Street America.

Our Nation's heroes are uniquely positioned to become successful businessowners because of the skills

they gained in the military, which have made them natural and effective leaders. Unfortunately, veterans often face barriers when starting or growing their businesses. Chief among them are access to capital and general awareness of available resources.

The SERV Act seeks to reduce those barriers by directing the Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development to create an action plan to improve outreach to veterans and inform them of available resources that directly apply to their unique needs.

We must work together to ensure that our veterans have access to the tools necessary to start or grow their businesses. I urge my colleagues to support our veterans and pass the SERV Act.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, and 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. 828, the Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act, also known as the SERV Act.

Veteran entrepreneurs are powerful economic engines and job creators. More than 1.6 million veteran businessowners employ nearly 3.3 million Americans and make approximately $983.9 billion in sales.

With that said, one of the biggest challenges facing veteran-owned small businesses is access to capital. Servicemembers report that it can be difficult to build credit while serving overseas. Studies have shown that a higher percentage of veterans are turned down for loans. The uncertainty underscores the need for investment in veteran-owned small businesses.

The bill we are considering today would require the Government Accountability Office, GAO, to conduct a study on the availability of credit to veteran, service-disabled, and reserve-owned small businesses.

I commend Representatives Davids, Alford, and Conaway for their bipartisan work on this bill that will identify barriers and improve SBA's outreach to veterans.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids), the main sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from New Jersey (Mr. Conaway).

Mr. Speaker, I applaud Ms. Davids, Mr. Alford, and Mr. Conaway for their commitment to our Nation's veterans. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 828, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) for yielding.

I rise in support of the bipartisan Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act, or the SERV Act, which I introduced alongside Representatives Alford and Conaway. This bill honors our veterans' service by helping them succeed as entrepreneurs and small business owners.

My mom served in the Army for 20 years, and my grandfather served in the Army, as well. Through them, I learned about service, leadership, and dedication to country.

Our veterans defended our freedoms, and we owe it to them to provide real support when they return home. Yet, veterans face distinct barriers when starting a business, from accessing capital to overcoming stigmas around disabilities or PTSD. These challenges have contributed to a 35 percent decline in veteran entrepreneurship since World War II.

The SERV Act addresses these challenges head-on, ensuring veterans have the resources that they need to thrive. At a time when harmful Federal worker layoffs at the VA are making it harder for veterans to access support, this legislation is more important than ever. By strengthening SBA programs, we are investing in our veterans, creating jobs, and boosting our local economies.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill and show our veterans that we have their backs, both in uniform and beyond.