Johnny Olszewski, Jr.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule.

I agree, it is past time that we ban congressional insider trading. No one should benefit from public service, but wouldn't the easiest way to do that be to just completely ban stock trading entirely, not take the baby steps attached to this bill included in the rule?

Still, I was open to voting for the bill, to accept that incremental but wholly insufficient progress. What I am not open to, Mr. Speaker, is accepting modest progress on stock ethics, insufficient progress in exchange for significantly compromising American voting rights, and that is also exactly what this bill would do. It would add unnecessary and unrelated provisions that make it harder for Americans to vote.

Republicans can't even be bothered to provide the IDs they would have Americans be required to have in order to vote. In fact, that was in the bill, and they took it out. That is not reform, Mr. Speaker. That is a bait-and-switch.

It is one more ruse by this Republican majority to distract the public from their inability or their unwillingness, or both, to rein in costs and address corruption.

The American people deserve so much better. I urge a ``no'' vote.

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.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Small Business Lending Fraud Prevention Act.

Let me begin by commending Representatives Meuser and Goodlander for their bipartisan work on this bill, which would enhance SBA's internal processes to further detect fraud.

As the chairman mentioned, recently an SBA loan officer pled guilty to making false statements after approving more than $550,000 in fraudulent COVID-19 pandemic loans for herself and for family members.

The previous administration identified the wrongdoing, terminated the employee, and referred the case to the Office of Inspector General. This proves that the process worked. However, requiring loan officers to attest that they are not violating any conflict of

interest laws or regulations every time they originate, review, or approve a loan is a simple step that further reinforces ethical standards and reminds them that misconduct has consequences. Implementing this practice will help to increase accountability, strengthen compliance, and deter fraud.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, in closing, this committee has played an integral role in conducting oversight of SBA programs, especially the pandemic relief programs. Approximately $1.2 trillion of economic aid was distributed through SBA's pandemic relief programs over the course of the pandemic, providing economic relief to small businesses all over the country.

Unfortunately, bad actors took advantage of the programs, and it has become clear that we need to work together to recover fraudulent dollars. The previous administration took strong steps to root out fraud and to put internal controls in place to prevent it, and the Inspector General has been working diligently to uncover fraudulent schemes.

The bottom line is that the current process worked. The bad actor at the SBA was identified, investigated, and prosecuted. Moving forward, SBA employees being required to certify there is no conflict of interest before approving a loan provides an extra layer of security which will help deter fraud.

Once again, I applaud Representatives Goodlander and Meuser for working together on this bill that enhances conflict of interest laws at SBA and provides even more accountability.

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