Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1838) to amend the Small Business Act to modify certain provisions relating to Women's Business Centers, 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 H.R. 1838, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1838, the Women's Business Centers Improvements Act. In America today, the face of business is changing. A big part of that change is the growing role of women business owners. Female entrepreneurs are bringing new thought processes and ingenuity into our economy. The Small Business Administration's women's business centers enable women to take these great ideas and put them into practice. Not only do these centers provide the technical training and advice that are available at other SBA centers, but they offer guidance that is specifically tailored to female business owners.

H.R. 1838 will supply these organizations with needed stability. Through technical assistance and counseling, the bill would also renew the program's original mission, bolstering low-income communities. More women than ever before are going into business for themselves. For minorities and socially disadvantaged women, launching your own enterprise is an especially important option. We have heard time and again stories of women lifting themselves out of poverty by starting their own enterprise.

Mr. Speaker, women-owned businesses are increasingly important to our national economy. They generate $3 trillion in economic activity and are responsible for 16 percent of the U.S. jobs. By strengthening and improving the SBA's network of women's business centers, H.R. 1838 will expand this success, offering greater economic opportunity to women everywhere.

I will take this opportunity to thank and congratulate the gentlewoman from Oklahoma (Ms. Fallin) for the work that she put into this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to inquire if the gentlelady has further speakers. I don't have additional speakers on this side, so I am prepared to yield back if you are prepared to yield back.

I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3743) to amend the Small Business Act to improve the disaster relief programs of 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 H.R. 3743, as amended.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 3743, the Small Business Disaster Readiness and Reform Act of 2009.

The Small Business Administration's Disaster Loan Program is an important lifeline for businesses struggling to recover following natural disasters. Low-interest loans offered through the program help entrepreneurs rebuild their firms and get back on their feet. These loans also help small businesses avoid the economic shocks that often accompany disasters.

While these programs are valuable in helping our communities recover from crises, they have not reached their full potential. Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office examined the SBA's disaster recovery programs, including the agency's new measures following Hurricane Katrina. In July, the GAO testified to the Small Business Committee that the Small Business Administration has not done enough to prepare for major emergencies. The GAO's findings give cause for concern that the SBA will fall short of the needs of entrepreneurs during critical times.

The legislation we are considering today will help the SBA better meet the needs of those recovering from natural disasters. This bill will improve how the SBA disburses assistance, ensuring small firms get help more quickly. This legislation will also require SBA to establish regional disaster working groups. These groups will develop localized disaster preparedness plans, putting the SBA in a better position to address the unique challenges facing small businesses recovering from disasters.

Mr. Speaker, small businesses need access to capital to make payroll and carry on their daily operations. However, for firms recovering from natural disasters, finding an affordable loan can make all the difference between

staying open or closing forever. The legislation before us will ensure entrepreneurs can receive the help they need when times are tough.

I commend Mr. Griffith, who is the sponsor of this bill, for his work on this important legislation.

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

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1845) to amend the Small Business Act to modernize Small Business Development Centers, 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 H.R. 1845, as amended.

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

I rise in support of H.R. 1845, introduced by Representative Schock, which would modernize the Nation's Small Business Development Centers, and I would like to take the opportunity to commend the gentleman for his great work on this important legislation.

Mr. Speaker, in today's challenging business environment, entrepreneurial assistance is a critical tool for the success of a small business. After all, even in good times, starting and running a small business is no easy lift. In fact, businesses that receive this kind of help are twice as likely to succeed.

During economic downturns, Small Business Development Centers are critical to help aspiring entrepreneurs get their ventures off the ground. The SBDC program is an important resource for both new entrepreneurs and more established small business owners. H.R. 1845 builds on this successful model, improving existing initiatives and giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to flourish.

In this bill, we streamline the SBDC program, taking important steps to develop new service offerings for small businesses. One example is the bill's access to capital program for aspiring entrepreneurs that need to secure capital and repair damaged credit. By connecting these entrepreneurs and displaced workers with seed money, this initiative will help get more ventures off the ground. For more established firms, this legislation will help businesses tap into the booming Federal marketplace.

Billions of stimulus dollars are now in play, making the Federal Government an even better customer for small businesses. In order to assist small firms in winning Federal contracts, this bill establishes a new procurement program. This will enable SBDCs to work with local agencies in identifying suitable small business contracts.

Mr. Speaker, SBDCs are important resources for expert information and business development assistance for small firms. This legislation will make sure they are running at full capacity, giving entrepreneurs powerful tools to invest in their own success. With a renewed emphasis on entrepreneurship, the Nation can emerge from the current recession stronger and more resilient. This bill is an important step in allowing that to happen, and I urge my colleagues to support its passage.

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

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve my time.

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Speaker, it is kind of ironic that the previous gentleman spoke about the impact of health care on small businesses, but for the 10- plus years that they were in the majority, we saw double digits in terms of premiums going up, and they didn't provide any vision, any leadership, any legislation to deal with the unsustainable health care costs that small businesses were suffering from.

And then, the gentlemen from Illinois, let me just remind him that last week we passed a bill, H.R. 3854, which provides $44 billion in financing and investment for small businesses. It is quite ironic that he comes to the floor to speak on small businesses and how we are impacting small businesses, but let me remind that, in the last 10 years, the other side, all they cared about was providing tax breaks for the wealthiest people in this country, not for small businesses. And, today, we are passing four bills under suspension. In fact, more bills than he passed in the years that he was the chairman of the Small Business Committee.

I welcome the debate on health care, and for that we will have time tomorrow.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I continue to reserve, Mr. Speaker.

Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve.

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

Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the H.R. 3854.

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

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this bill, which will enhance the SBA's capital access programs. This bill is a bipartisan product. It has the support of 48 stakeholder groups and could not have come together without the contributions of eight different committee members, including two from the minority. It addresses a key concern for small firms and ensures they have the resources to help grow our economy.

If history is any guide, small businesses will be the key to our recovery. Since our Nation's founding, they have helped us bounce back from countless downturns, including the recession of the mid-1990s. At that time, start-up businesses generated 3.8 million new jobs. And ultimately, Mr. Chairman, that is what our recovery efforts are all about, putting Americans back to work.

Through innovation and ingenuity, small businesses have created enormous wealth for our Nation. But America's economic engine doesn't run on good ideas alone. Small firms need capital to not only get off the ground, but to operate and grow. That is why H.R. 3854 delivers better funding options to small firms at every stage of development.

For the aspiring entrepreneur, it opens new avenues for seed capital and microloans. For the mid-market venture, it provides fresh funds for investment. And for the established business, it creates room for targeted risk and innovation. And it could not have come at a more critical time.

Small business lending is declining at alarming rates. In July, a survey by the Federal Reserve found that 35 percent of banks have tightened lending to small businesses. In terms of credit cards, a popular source of funding for entrepreneurs, 79 percent have seen their lines cut radically. These are exceptional declines. And if we fail to address them, we risk losing more than our most innovative businesses. We risk losing hundreds of thousands of jobs.

Small businesses with tight profit margins do not have the luxury of simply tightening the belt. When money is short, they are often forced to lay off workers. But with unemployment at 9.8 percent, we just cannot afford more losses. That is why this bill delivers critical capital to new ventures.

To begin, it helps steer equity investment to start-ups in high- growth fields like IT and clean energy. It also enhances SBA's microloan program. Two weeks ago, my committee heard from an entrepreneur who used microloans to grow his business from a fledgling firm to a thriving enterprise with 30 employees. By improving the microloan program, imagine how many more new businesses, and new jobs, we can generate.

Ask any small business owner, and they will tell you that start-ups are not the only firms that need capital. Established ventures in fields like manufacturing, for example, need funding to adapt to the changing marketplace. By improving the 504 program, this bill gives them the flexibility to purchase new equipment and otherwise retool operations. When paired with new initiatives like the New Markets Venture Capital and Renewable Energy Capital Investment programs, these efforts will help manufacturers emerge from the downturn stronger and better poised to create new jobs.

Meanwhile, we are also delivering important lending options to our Nation's veterans, offering reduced borrower fees and increased loan guarantees. As our servicemen and -women return home from deployment abroad, we need to be sure they have access to the economic opportunities that entrepreneurship offers.

Mr. Chairman, this bill is about choices. It is about better options for the small businesses that didn't get a bailout. H.R. 3854 provides critical funding to small firms in every industry and, most importantly, generates

jobs. In fact, it will create or sustain more than 1.3 million positions nationwide.

In the 111th Congress, job creation is our number one priority. It only makes sense to support legislation that gets us there.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff--from both sides of the aisle--that worked so hard on this bill.

From the majority--Michael Day and Andy Jiminez; and Ethan Pittleman from Mr. Schrader's staff.

From the minority--Barry Pineles and Karen Haas; and Max Goodman from Mr. Buchanan's staff.

Their efforts to ensure the members' priorities are included in this legislation are very much appreciated.

Mr. Chairman, the Small Business Committee is not alone in its commitment to small firms. Since the downturn began, we have heard countless calls from both sides of the aisle for a new economic foundation--one that puts Main Street before Wall Street and that values entrepreneurship over corporate greed. Well, this bill does both. By empowering small businesses, it makes a direct investment in the two things our economy needs most--innovation and job creation.

Capital is a fundamental building block for small business growth. Without it, new ventures cannot get off the ground and existing companies cannot hire workers. H.R. 3854 delivers the resources small firms need to grow. For small medical practices, it makes health IT more affordable. For entrepreneurs developing the next breakthrough in clean energy, it buys time for R&D. And for veterans and rural Americans seeking economic empowerment, it puts entrepreneurship within reach. Most importantly, however, this bill keeps workers on payroll. By allowing entrepreneurs to expand their ventures, H.R. 3854 will create and sustain more than 1.3 million jobs. In other words, Mr. Chairman, a vote for this bill is a vote for job creation. If you ask me, that is something we can all get behind, Democrats and Republicans alike, and I urge adoption of this bill.

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. Chairman, the manager's amendment to H.R. 3854 makes technical changes to the bill and clarifies the legislative intent for several provisions contained in the legislation. More importantly, the manager's amendment incorporates additional changes that were suggested by Members of the House that will greatly improve the working of the bill.

The amendment will improve the delivery of investment capital for veteran-owned businesses through the New Markets Venture Capital program. This language was suggested by Mr. Jason Altmire, a member of the Small Business Committee, and I was happy to include it in the amendment.

Another member of the committee, Representative Bean, also contributed language to the amendment which will improve access to the SBA's lending programs for franchise small businesses. This, too, greatly improves the bill.

Representative Connolly contributed language to study the role that the private sector has played in providing small business access to capital over the past 4 years, and provisions that will study the effect of the increased loan size limits contained in the underlying legislation was suggested by Representative Pingree.

Additionally, Representative Baird has suggested the SBA conduct a study to examine the efficacy of the ARC loan program that was established under ARRA.

Together, these provisions will significantly improve our understanding of the state of small business access to capital, and I am grateful for their contributions.

I would also extend my thanks to Representative Boswell for his suggestion to include language that will enhance the ability of small firms to use 7(a) loans to purchase unoccupied manufacturing centers and equipment. This will surely help revitalize communities that have suffered from the loss of their manufacturing industries, as will language contributed by Representative Costa which will make more loans available for communities with unemployment that exceeds prevailing State levels by 25 percent.

Together, these changes made by the manager's amendment will significantly improve the ability of H.R. 3854 to deliver capital and credit to small businesses. I thank the Members that contributed to it, and I urge its adoption.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Loebsack).

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

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, one of the greatest challenges small firms are facing is banks' reluctance to lend. Liquidity issues are one reason for this. But equally important are the regulatory burden and capital reserves lenders are now expected to carry. As critical as it is to get capital back into the markets, we also need to be sure banks are properly regulated. At the same time, we need to increase lender confidence in SBA.

Mr. Schock's amendment gets to the heart of both issues. Increasingly, we have seen incidents in which lenders believe they are following all the agency rules only to discover that SBA won't honor its guarantees. When this happens, it compounds the chilling effect already plaguing the markets.

This amendment will make it clear to lenders that if they make a good-faith effort to perform due diligence on loans and complete SBA training programs, their guarantees will be honored. In doing so, we can increase lender confidence and open the door to improved small business lending. And we can do so in a way that mitigates risk to the taxpayers.

This is a valuable amendment, and I urge Members to support it.

I now yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he might have.

If the gentleman is prepared to yield back, we're prepared to accept the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, green energy presents a world of opportunity for our economy. In terms of job creation, it has already generated millions of high-wage positions for workers in fields ranging from engineering and IT to agriculture and construction. Small firms make up the lion's share of this growing sector, and they will play a key role in our Nation's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and break free from foreign oil. But they cannot do it without the capital to continue research and production.

H.R. 3854 delivers critical capital to the small businesses driving the clean energy sector. Mr. Schock's amendment enhances those efforts by adding an important element of transparency. By requiring SBA to release quarterly reports on the Renewable Energy Capital Investment Program, we can gauge the agency's progress in expanding the initiative. We can also pinpoint areas that are working and identify places in need of improvement. Meanwhile, this amendment mandates the timely establishment of program regulations. That measure should expedite the program's expansion and increase overall efficiency.

These are critical improvements, and I urge support of Mr. Schock's amendment.

I will now yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he might have.

Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman is prepared to yield back, we're prepared to accept the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, traditionally, the SBA has been vitally important to rural businesses. For many years, rural lenders served as the backbone of the Small Business Administration's lending programs, delivering capital to areas of the country that don't have the same options as other parts of our Nation.

For a range of reasons, over the last 8 years, we have seen many of the SBA rural lenders disappear. This is a troubling trend. It means that businesses on Main Street cannot find the credit they need to expand a store, build a new plant, or simply upgrade their facilities. Without a strong selection of rural lenders, we are beginning to see the emergence of a credit gap. Rural areas have the same need for jobs that the rest of America does, and it is important that they have a chance to create them.

H.R. 3854 includes a provision targeted specifically at encouraging lenders to provide credit to entrepreneurs in rural America. The Rural Lender Outreach Program helps line up lenders in this part of America to expand capital access options for businesses.

Mr. Bright's amendment addresses the other side of that coin, ensuring that businesses know these rural lenders are out there. By challenging the SBA to connect with rural businesses and requiring the SBA's district offices to engage in outreach, we can put these entrepreneurs in touch with local lenders.

Small firms' potential for job creation should not be limited to certain parts of the country. This amendment will ensure that we prevent this ``credit gap'' from growing, so that small businesses, no matter where they are located, find financing options that work for them. This is an important change to today's legislation, and I ask my colleagues to support it.

I yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) for any comments he might have.

Mr. Chairman, I now yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell).

(Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman from Alabama is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, in the 111th Congress, this body has made transparency a top priority. That is why we have adopted rule XI, which requires quarterly hearings on fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement of Federal programs. But our commitment to good government extends beyond the committee room, which is why I am glad to accept Mr. Flake's amendment. That said, I want to point out that small business programs are not vehicles for waste. They are important avenues for economic growth, not earmarks.

I don't think there is a single person in this room who doesn't want to see small businesses succeed. After all, they create the lion's share of new American jobs, and we are counting on them to strengthen our economy.

It would not be in the best interest of this body or of our great Nation to compromise the integrity of SBA's programs. These initiatives deliver the best bang for the taxpayer's buck, and ultimately return more money to the economy than they take out. Mr. Flake's amendment is a simple affirmation of that fact, and I am willing to accept.

I now yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) for any remarks he may have.

Mr. Chairman, I urge everyone to support the amendment. I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Chairman, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, growth in our economy has long depended on the progress of new industries. When our country bounced back from the recession of the 1990s, it wasn't because we simply rebuilt jobs where they once had been; it was because we created new ones entirely. And we did so in emerging industries like information technology. Today, we have a similar opportunity with growing fields like photonics, the science that uses light energy to power and improve everything from telecommunications to electrical systems.

Photonics technology touches virtually every industry. Through the leverage of public-private partnerships like SBIR, it is already sparking breakthroughs that impact our everyday lives, for example, better bar codes for scanning groceries, or less invasive forms of laser eye surgery. With new investments in this promising field, we can build the kind of innovation America needs. That is why we will be adding photonics to the roster of business sectors that can receive early-stage investment grants.

Ms. Kosmas' amendment is a valuable one, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

I now yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he might have.

Mr. Chairman, if the gentlelady is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, the wide-scale adoption of medical records is one of the most sweeping and most important elements of health care reform. It will improve efficiency, reduce costs and streamline communication. But like any other ground-breaking technology, it isn't cheap. For your average small medical practice, initial costs are roughly $100,000. When coupled with today's larger legislation, Mr. Gingrey's amendment will help blunt those expenses. By some estimates, the nationwide adoption of health IT will spur annual savings of $77 billion. Already many major hospitals and medical practices are enjoying these cost-cutting benefits. Small firms, however, have been reluctant to adopt it. In fact, only 13 percent of solo practitioners use the technology. The gentleman's amendment recognizes the benefits of health IT and improves the bill, and that is the reason why we are supporting this amendment.

I would now like to yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he may have.

Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman is prepared to yield back, I am prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, entrepreneurship has long been a popular option for America's veterans. After all, it requires many of the same traits

that military service does--hard work, ingenuity and dedication to something larger than yourself. So it is not surprising that veterans own roughly 15 percent of our Nation's small businesses. What is surprising, however, is the rate at which lending to these companies is declining. Between fiscal year 2007 and fiscal year 2008, the number of 7(a) loans to veteran-owned businesses dropped more than 22 percent. In other words, entrepreneurship is being pushed further and further out of reach for our veterans.

Earlier this year, the House passed legislation establishing new veteran entrepreneurial development programs at SBA. This legislation will mean a range of new services for veterans. One of the most important goals was helping meet veteran-owned businesses' capital needs. The amendment offered by Mr. Kratovil builds on that earlier work. His amendment will ensure that veterans not only access the capital they need but lets them do so at affordable rates. By providing higher guarantees on loans and lower costs, we can offer new opportunities for veterans who own businesses as well as those who wish to start one.

For our servicemen and -women, entrepreneurship is the tried and true path to economic empowerment. This amendment will put more veterans on that path. This is a positive change to the legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he may have.

Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman is ready to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, small businesses are our Nation's most prolific innovators. Time and time again, they have pioneered new fields, developed new products and achieved important technological breakthroughs.

Today, small businesses are breaking new ground in the energy sector. As our Nation undergoes a green revolution, small businesses are leading the way in developing solar power. They are blazing the trail in the development of wind power and biodiesel, and renewable fuel industries are dominated by small businesses. Just as small firms are on the leading edge of developments in the energy sector, they also play an active role in the development of new medicines and medical devices.

The gentleman from Minnesota is suggesting that the SBA look into the feasibility of an initiative to help raise capital for entrepreneurs in the medical field. Given the important role that small firms play in this arena, at least exploring the possibility of an SBA program to assist them in capital formation seems prudent.

I urge adoption of the amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he might have.

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

Madam Chair, if the gentleman is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

Madam Chair, I urge adoption of the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Madam Chair, young people have been acutely affected by this recession.

Americans graduating from high school or college face one of the most challenging job markets in decades. In some communities, this problem is driving recent graduates to other parts of the country as they seek economic opportunity. This means that communities which are hard hit by the downturn will have even more difficulty as they are deprived of their next generation of workers. This drain of young talent presents additional challenges for local economies that are struggling to recover.

Entrepreneurship can provide another option for young people who are living in economically hard-hit areas. However, younger individuals also face unique challenges in starting or launching their own businesses. Finding affordable loans without an established credit history can be an obstacle. Many young people may not have the large reserves of capital that older, more established entrepreneurs have. In addition, younger entrepreneurs may not have as much experience in the job market. All of these factors present difficulties to young Americans who want to go into business for themselves.

By creating an initiative through the SBA's Microloan Program, this amendment will help overcome these problems. With appropriate guidance and assistance, many young Americans can go into business for themselves. This amendment also recognizes the capital constraints that many young entrepreneurs face. It gives a younger entrepreneur who qualifies for the Microloan more time for repayment.

Madam Chair, our Nation's greatest resource has always been our young people. They will certainly play a vital role in lifting our Nation out of the current downturn. This amendment will give more young Americans the opportunity to launch their own ventures. This is a good amendment, and I support its adoption.

I now yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he may have.

Madam Chair, we are prepared to accept this amendment, and I urge its adoption and support.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Madam Chair, virtually every sector of the economy has suffered at the hands of the downturn. The construction industry, however, has seen some of the most significant declines. According to a study by the Associated Equipment Distributors, two out of every 25 jobs lost in the recession were construction jobs. Nationwide, the industry has shed 37 percent of its workforce. Those losses are larger than either the automobile or financial sectors. Clearly, we need to be addressing this issue.

By providing better terms for 7(a) loans, this amendment will give small construction firms the flexibility to hire new workers. Allowing these businesses to defer repayment for up to 12 months also means they have greater capital for new investments. After all, equipment purchased, items such as cement mixers and bulldozers, are expensive. Most small firms rely on loans in order to buy these items.

With the housing market recovering and the new transportation bill working its way through Congress, we should see new opportunities for small construction firms. Mr. Kissell's amendment gives the resources they need to take advantage of those opportunities, and I urge my colleagues to support it.

I yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he might have.

If the gentleman is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Certainly times are tough and many Americans are hurting because of the economic downturn. But, as they have done before, American entrepreneurs will lead us out of this downturn and begin rebuilding our economy. This amendment is about harnessing the job-creating potential that exists in communities that are suffering the worst of the downturn. It is about using the American entrepreneurial spirit to deliver hope to places that need it most.

As part of the Recovery Act, we aimed to help small businesses with short-term, interest-free loans. So far, this program has funneled $115 million to 3,500 businesses. With this amendment, we will make more of these loans available to businesses in economically distressed areas. By giving these businesses more time to start repayment, we will provide them a better chance to stay afloat and ultimately grow and create jobs.

This is a good amendment. I thank the gentleman from Michigan for offering it. I urge its adoption.

I now yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he may have.

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Schauer).

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Kildee).

Madam Chair, if the gentleman from Michigan is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, we are prepared to accept the amendment if the gentlelady from Michigan is prepared to yield back.

I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, if the gentlelady from Michigan is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chair, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Madam Chair, I strongly support this amendment and now would like to yield 2 minutes to one of the cosponsors of this amendment, the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Buchanan).

Madam Chair, I yield 1\1/2\ minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cao).

Madam Chair, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Mario Diaz-Balart).

Madam Chair, if the gentleman from Virginia is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

Madam Chair, I urge adoption of this very important amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, while not opposed to the motion, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

While I am not opposed to the motion, I do want to make some observations. While the gentleman is interested in studying the problems, we are interested in real solutions, and the bill under consideration does that. This bill provides $44 billion in capital for our small businesses, helping address the number one issue facing small firms right now. This bill will create 1.3 million jobs. Initiatives in this legislation will be specifically targeted to veterans and businesses located in rural communities. This legislation is supported by over 50 business organizations, representing small businesses in the health care, financial services, agriculture and technology industries.

What I would like to see the gentleman add to the study is how small businesses have benefited from increased expensing limits for purchasing equipment, extended bonus depreciation, reduced capital gains rates on small business stock, and allowing businesses to carry back 5 years of losses. Let's add that to the study.

It is interesting to see how the gentleman would like to study things that haven't happened, like offsetting the reduction in capital available for such concerns resulting from an increase in tax on capital gains. Are we going to study things that haven't happened? Does the gentleman have a crystal ball? Because if he does, I would like for him to tell me who is going to win the World Series. This is a motion that does nothing to provide loans to small businesses or create jobs. But if the gentleman wants to do a study, so be it.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, pursuant to the instructions of the House in the motion to recommit, I report the bill, H.R. 3854, back to the House with an amendment.

Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1929) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended.

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

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

The legislation before us will extend the Small Business Administration's broad array of critical programs until the end of January. This will allow small businesses to go on using the valuable services of the SBA while the House and the Senate continue our work to comprehensively reauthorize the Small Business Administration.

Already this year we have made important progress toward reauthorizing the SBA. In May, the House passed legislation reauthorizing the agency's entrepreneurial development programs. In July, we approved a measure to update the Small Business Innovation Research Initiative. And later this week, the House will consider H.R. 3854, a bill to comprehensively update the SBA's capital access initiatives. Passing the bill before us today will let us complete our work on these measures and conference them with our counterparts in the Senate.

The SBA clearly needs to be modernized in order to meet today's challenges. I look forward to sending legislation to the President's desk that will bring all of these various initiatives up to date. In the meantime, this bill offers the appropriate amount of time to continue our work while ensuring the agency can continue serving small businesses.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote on this vote, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3614) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days 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.

The legislation before us will ensure that a number of Small Business Administration programs can continue operating through the end of October. The House and the Senate have been working diligently on a comprehensive reauthorization of the SBA's programs. However, as we approach the deadline for when these programs will otherwise expire, this bill is necessary to keep the agency's programs running.

Some minor changes to the programs, which were contained in the extension that the House passed last week, are not in this measure. Although the Senate chose not to address these matters at this time, there is widespread support for these measures. I am hopeful that we can revisit those changes soon in future legislation.

In coming weeks the Small Business Committee will continue working with our Senate counterparts to modernize the SBA's programs, some of which have not been updated in 10 years. While we continue our work, this bill will allow the SBA's programs to continue operating and serving entrepreneurs.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3614) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days 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. The legislation before us will keep a number of vital programs at the Small Business Administration functioning. This will give us time to complete our work with the Senate and fully reauthorize these measures, which are critical for our Nation's entrepreneurs.

All of us recognize the importance of small businesses to our recovery. Since January, this Congress has taken several steps to help small firms. Entrepreneurs will see $30 billion in new contracting opportunities from the Recovery Act.

The Recovery Act is expected to yield $21 billion in new lending and investment for small firms. Since the Recovery Act passed, the SBA has approved $7.3 billion in recovery loans and supported almost $10 billion in small business lending. This extension will not only keep important programs at the SBA running; it will also make some important changes to improve access to capital for small firms.

The America's Recovery Capital program in the Recovery Act provides short-term capital for businesses. To date, the ARC loan program has helped 1,600 firms stay afloat with interest-free loans.

Currently, ARC loans cannot be used to pay down existing government- guaranteed debts. By letting businesses use ARC loans for that purpose, this bill will open the program to even more firms, regardless of their previous financing decisions. This will open up $360 million in lending capital to help stressed small businesses that have 7(a) loans. Through the ARC program, these firms will receive nearly $6,000 per month, allowing them to redirect their cash flow into sustaining their operations. The American Bankers Association and the Independent Community Bankers of America strongly support this provision.

As SBA implements this change, it should also revisit other areas where it can improve the program. A top priority for small businesses is always reducing their paperwork burden.

Mr. Speaker, this is the paperwork required to apply for an ARC loan, and it doesn't even include the documentation that a borrower must submit as part of their application. Clearly, applying for these loans is complex. The SBA should streamline its application and approval processes. Businesses that apply for these loans do so because they need a lifeline, now. The SBA should make the process fast and simple.

Another challenge at the agency is the projected default rates for the program, which directly affects the availability of capital. Unfortunately, the SBA assumed that businesses receiving ARC loans will default more than businesses impacted by Hurricane Katrina. That calculation doesn't make sense, and it has limited the loans' availability. By developing a subsidy model that better reflects reality, the SBA could ensure more funding goes to businesses instead of being held in reserve to cover defaults that probably won't happen.

Going forward, we need to ensure that the recovery reaches everybody, especially low-income communities. Obviously, these areas have been hit the hardest by the recession, but they also hold the highest potential for economic growth. An important program for accomplishing that goal is the New Market Venture Capital program. This program targets capital to the smallest businesses in economically depressed areas. However, until now the program limited the amount of capital an entrepreneur can obtain through New Market companies. This bill simplifies the limits so that more capital will flow to disadvantaged businesses. Helping these businesses promotes hope and opportunity in low-income areas and further fosters economic recovery.

Right now access to capital remains the biggest challenge facing small firms. Making this minor adjustments to the ARC program and the New Market initiative will improve access to capital for small businesses when they need it most.

In coming weeks, the committee will continue working to update the SBA's programs. In the meantime, this legislation extends these initiatives and makes two critical changes to help small businesses. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

Mr. Speaker, 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, if our economy is going to recover, then America's entrepreneurs will need to lead the way. Many of the SBA's programs, which will help small businesses with specialized training or access to capital, need to be updated. That is why the House has passed bills to update the SBA's various programs and why they were approved with bipartisan support.

However, while we continue working with our Senate colleagues to finish these bills, we also need to give the SBA the authority to continue functioning.

The legislation before us will extend the SBA programs until the end of October. This provides the appropriate amount of time to continue our legislative work while keeping key services at the SBA up and running. Equally important, this bill makes two small, yet significant, changes to the ARC loan program and the New Markets Venture Capital program. These changes will further help small businesses access capital when they need it most.

This is a good bill for small businesses. I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''

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

Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1803) to amend the Small Business Act to establish a Veterans Business Center program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days 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.

Mr. Speaker, as a new generation of heroes returns home from the conflicts

in Iraq and Afghanistan, our Nation has a responsibility to ensure that they can earn a decent living for themselves and their families.

When they reenter civilian life, many of our returning soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines will be interested in launching their own businesses. This is not surprising. After all, the attributes it takes to lead a successful business, like perseverance, leadership and strategic thinking, are the same skills that make members of our military effective.

Already veterans comprise 14 percent of self-employed Americans. With more veterans returning home from Iraq every day, we can only expect the number of self-employed veterans to spike in coming months.

The bill before us today is meant to make specialized services available to veterans so that they can succeed as small business owners. Under this bill, the Small Business Administration is instructed to establish a new Veterans Business Center program. This program will provide veterans with dedicated counseling and business training.

There is already an existing Veterans Business Outreach Center initiative at the Small Business Administration, and while that program is limited in its scope, it has already demonstrated that veterans can succeed in business if they have the right tools.

Importantly, under this bill, for the first time we will have a dedicated network of entrepreneurial development centers that are designed specifically with veterans' needs in mind.

In addition to building on the success of the existing Veterans Business program, this legislation will tackle some of the most difficult challenges blocking veterans from becoming entrepreneurs. Given the ongoing credit crunch, there are specific measures in this bill to help veterans access capital and ensure loans.

H.R. 1803 also helps veterans find Federal contracts that are well- suited for veteran-owned businesses. This is a particularly timely program, given the wave of contracts that will be generated from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Equally important, this bill makes clear that as the SBA activates the new network of Veterans Business Centers, it should look first to those areas of the country with large veterans populations. In short, we are bringing small business resources that veterans need to the communities with the most veterans.

Mr. Speaker, all of us owe a debt to the men and women who wear our Nation's uniform in defense of our country. While we can never fully repay that debt, we can help our veterans reenter civilian life and pursue the American Dream.

The legislation before the House today will help our returning heroes find their piece of the American Dream by launching and building their own businesses. I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield as much time as he may consume to the sponsor of the legislation, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Nye).

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. If the gentleman is ready to close or yield back, I am ready to close.

Again, Mr. Speaker, let me just take the opportunity to thank Mr. Nye and all the members from the other side on the Small Business Committee who have worked on this legislation. I encourage all the Members to support this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1807) to provide distance learning to potential and existing entrepreneurs, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

I rise in support of this bill which will help entrepreneurs grow their businesses through the expanded use of cutting-edge technology. This bill is a bipartisan product introduced by Representative Thompson from Pennsylvania and promises to go a long way in helping small firms flourish. Entrepreneurship is the tested tool for powering economies. So it should come as no surprise that entrepreneurial development, or ED, programs, have a track record for sparking growth. In fact, every $1 put into these initiatives puts another $2.87 into the Treasury. You cannot argue with that kind of return, especially at a time when our economy is fighting to recover.

While small business growth is important to any community, it is especially vital in struggling rural regions and urban areas. When recession hits, these areas fall the hardest. That is why this bill is so important. Through the use of cutting-edge technology, it delivers entrepreneurial development training to Americans everywhere. In doing so, it encourages business growth in places where it might not otherwise take root.

This is critical because entrepreneurship is more than a means of employment. It is a path to economic independence. Technology is often referred to as the great equalizer. It is an avenue through which all businesses, large and small, can attract new customers and reach untapped markets. It is also an effective means for delivering information and sharing data.

The Educating Entrepreneurs through Today's Technology Act builds on those two capabilities. With the click of a mouse, an aspiring entrepreneur in Appalachia can participate in a training program broadcast out of San Francisco. Resources such as satellite seminars and online information sessions make it easy for entrepreneurs everywhere to access information on a broad range of topics. Starting and running a small business can be challenging. In the current environment, even seasoned entrepreneurs are struggling to adapt. Proper training in areas like credit management, financial literacy and Federal small business programs are more important than ever. Whether we are talking about fledgling entrepreneurs or those with years of experience, everyone can benefit from this kind of information.

There is no question that our economy looks different today than it did the last time SBA's ED programs were updated. In terms of technology alone, we have grown by leaps and bounds. This bill reflects that change. It makes sure small firms can use modern technology to the best of their advantage. With these services, startups will be able to build a solid business foundation. Meanwhile, established firms will be able to retool and improve their existing operations.

As we continue to work our way towards recovery, small businesses will be on the front lines. It only makes sense to give them all the tools they need to succeed because with the technology of today they can help build prosperity for tomorrow. Mr. Thompson's bill gives them the resources to do so.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (S. 1513) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days 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.

All of us on both sides of the aisle agree that America's small businesses will be the cornerstone of our economic recovery. Not only are small businesses more nimble and better able to respond to economic turbulence, but after losing their jobs many Americans turn to entrepreneurship as a new source of income. This ingenuity has led us out of previous recessions. With the right tools and support, I believe small businesses will again lead our Nation back to recovery.

Since January, this Congress has taken important steps to help our small businesses. The Recovery Act is helping address the single biggest challenge facing entrepreneurs today, namely, access to affordable capital. By making improvements to the SBA's capital access programs, this bill will yield $21 billion in new lending and investment for small firms. We have also targeted $15 billion in new tax relief to small businesses through the act, and many small companies are being put back to work rebuilding our economic infrastructure. In fact, small businesses which dominate trades like construction and engineering can expect to see $30 billion in infrastructure opportunities thanks to the Recovery Act.

However, our work on behalf of small businesses does not stop there. In May, this body passed bipartisan legislation to update and improve the SBA's Entrepreneurial Development programs. These initiatives have a solid track record of success. Small businesses that use them are twice as likely to succeed.

Last year alone, ED programs helped create 73,000 new jobs. The legislation we passed in May will build on this success. Through outreach to targeted communities like veterans, our bill will ensure more companies take advantage of these services. And the legislation responds to current economic pressures by helping dislocated workers start their own enterprises and offering expert consulting to troubled businesses.

Finally, in the last month we have worked to update the Small Business Innovation Research program and the Small Business Technology Transfer program. Every year, through SBIR and STTR, some of our largest Federal agencies invest $2.2 billion in small business research. This infusion helps launch 1,500 new companies. The House- passed bill will strengthen the SBIR program in a number of ways. It will make it easier for companies participating in SBIR to access venture capital. We have also adjusted the size of program grants to better reflect the research costs. And we have targeted the program toward commercialization so more products come to the market and there are further opportunities for job creation.

Mr. Speaker, all of these measures will update and improve Federal programs that small businesses rely on. As we speak, the committee is continuing work with our counterparts in the Senate to finalize these bills, prepare them for final passage, and get them to the President for his signature.

However, as the current programs at the SBA expire at the end of this month, we must pass an extension so that our legislative work can continue. The bill before us will keep existing initiatives at the SBA running for another 60 days. This will allow us time to finalize these measures and prepare them for final passage.

I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this measure.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill, H.R. 2965.

I rise in support of H.R. 2965, updating and enhancing the Small Business Administration's Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs.

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 2965, which will reauthorize and improve the SBA's SBIR and STTR programs. This bill has strong bipartisan support and would work to invest in entrepreneurial innovation and job growth.

While our economy is recovering, it still has a ways to go. Even now, we need to be focused on putting Americans back to work. We need growth that is lasting and industries that are sustainable. We need jobs that cannot be shipped overseas and will not evaporate in the next cycle of boom and bust. But those jobs aren't going to appear out of thin air. They need to be created. By expanding existing industries and unlocking new ones, H.R. 2965 will generate the jobs we need.

The SBIR and STTR programs are vital to small business growth. Year after year, they help jump-start 1,500 new companies. At the very least, that is 1,500 new employers. Over time, that is millions and millions of direct and indirect positions. But while these initiatives are crucial, they're not living up to their full potential. Through H.R. 2965, we can improve SBIR and STTR so they are running at maximum capacity.

Job creation, Mr. Chairman, is the primary goal of R&D. But in order to generate new positions, we have to first develop new industries. Commercialization is critical to that process.

But, unfortunately, most research never makes it to the market.

To address that issue, we are creating commercialization benchmarks. We're also encouraging conversations between SBIR officers and purchasing agents. Ultimately, those dialogs will enhance the flow of information between buyers and sellers, helping more ideas move from the drawing board to the marketplace.

When all is said and done, commercialization means more than new products--it means new jobs. Once a product hits the mainstream, it opens up a world of opportunity in a wide range of industries, from retail to manufacturing. By stimulating these sectors, we can help our economy on its route to recovery.

Even as our economy rebounds, small firms struggle to find funding-- particularly equity investment. Just a year ago, venture capital firms drove $5.7 billion into small companies. Today, we have seen almost a 50 percent decline. In terms of what that means for the economy, there are now $3.7 billion fewer dollars to help our small businesses create jobs. The programs' current regulations only compound those challenges.

By shutting venture capital out of SBIR and STTR, we are blocking billions of dollars to create jobs and limiting our ability to innovate. What are we supposed to say to a venture-backed firm that is researching cures for pancreatic cancer? Are we supposed to shake our heads and say, Sorry, you've done some promising research, but we just can't help you find a cure?

Mr. Chairman, this program is better than that. That is why H.R. 2965 gives small firms--not Washington bureaucrats--the final say in how their firms are financed.

This bill provides for the reasonable use of venture capital, while maintaining important safeguards. Make no mistake, SBIR and STTR are-- and forever will be--small business programs. This provision doesn't change that. What it does do is give small firms the funding they need to develop new products.

Even with the necessary capital, small firms struggle to see R&D from start to finish. That is because it is a complex process. Measures to block funding delays and increase efficiency will streamline R&D, helping more products make it out of the laboratory and into the marketplace. Meanwhile, we're going to broaden the scope of American innovation.

Silicon Valley doesn't hold a franchise on innovation, which is why H.R. 2965 reaches out to underserved rural areas. Through cutting edge technology and grassroots marketing, it also seeks to bring women, minorities, and veterans into the SBIR and STTR programs.

Innovation is the first stop on the path to prosperity. By enhancing and expanding SBIR and STTR, we can encourage small business growth in all parts of the country. In doing so, we will help our small firms to grow, innovate, and--most importantly--create homegrown jobs.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the Chair of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology who moved this legislation through the subcommittee, the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Nye).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the bill's sponsor, the gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Jason Altmire.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentlewoman from Illinois, Mrs. Halvorson, who authored several of the provisions of this bill.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to inquire of the Chair how much time we have left.

I yield to the gentlelady from New York (Ms. Clarke) 3 minutes.

(Ms. CLARKE asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Schwartz) 2 minutes.

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

Mr. Chairman, today we have an opportunity to invest in the two greatest sources of economic growth: entrepreneurship and innovation. We know that small firms create roughly 70 percent of all new jobs, and we recognize that new markets are the surest path to prosperity, so it only makes sense to strengthen small business innovation. H.R. 2965 does exactly that. This is a bipartisan bill, one that could not have been drafted without contributions from my colleagues, Mr. Graves, Mr. Schock, Mrs. Halvorson, Mr. Bright, Mr. Nye, and most importantly, the bill sponsor, Mr. Altmire.

I would also like to thank Science and Technology, both chairman and ranking member, and the subcommittee chairman, Mr. David Wu, and the ranking member.

Especially, I want to say thank you to the staff on both committees who have worked so diligently in working in a bipartisan manner.

This legislation has the support of 60 different organizations, including the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, the Advanced Medical Technology Association and the Biotechnology Industry Organization. The SBIR and STTR programs are critical to small business resources. They helped 1,500 firms get off the ground every year, and in the past we have sparked breakthroughs in everything from antivirus software to defense technology.

Clearly, these programs hold enormous value. Even so, they haven't been modernized in over 8 years and are in sore need of enhancement. In improving SBIR and STTR, we are going to increase efficiency, expand the small business talent pool and boost commercialization.

Meanwhile, we are also going to give entrepreneurs more options for forming their ventures. Taken together these measures will do more than spark invention. They will help small firms market new products, open new industries and put more Americans back to work.

I will urge my colleagues to support this bill.

I yield back the balance of my time.

I have an amendment at the desk.

Pursuant to the rule, I send to the desk a modification to amendment No. 1.

Mr. Chairman, the manager's amendment makes technical and conforming changes to the underlying legislation. It also incorporates several important amendments offered by Members.

I would like to thank these Members for their contributions: Mr. Barrow, Mr. Boren, Mr. Boswell, Ms. Sutton, Mr. Cardoza, Mr. Childers, Mrs. Dahlkemper, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Mr. Kratovil, Ms. Markey, Mr. McNerney, Ms. McCollum and Mr. Perlmutter.

Because of their contributions, we have a stronger bill before us today. The provisions that are included in the manager's amendment will foster what we are doing to help veteran small businesses. As a new generation of veterans returns home from the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of them will be seeking opportunities through entrepreneurship. Veterans are often well suited to be small business owners.

The manager's amendment will also enhance our outreach to women- and minority-owned businesses. Diversity has always been our Nation's greatest strength. By expanding the diversity of the firms that compete for SBIR grants, we will strengthen the overall SBIR program. The same can be said about the provisions in the manager's amendment that will encourage greater participation by rural businesses. Drawing these companies into the program will mean more ideas and better ideas.

In addition to encouraging greater diversity among participating firms, the manager's amendment targets SBIR and STTR groups toward a number of pressing problems where innovation and research are badly needed. For instance, language in the amendment clarifies that the programs shall make renewable energy a priority. Small businesses are already leading the way in constructing a green economy, and this provision will build on that success.

Lastly, the manager's amendment improves oversight. The 111th Congress has made oversight one of our top priorities to ensure that taxpayers' dollars are spent wisely and well.

This amendment continues that effort. SBIR and STTR are two of our Nation's most successful programs. It is our goal to ensure they continue functioning smoothly and effectively.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlelady from Pennsylvania (Mrs. Dahlkemper).

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Iowa (Mr. Boswell).

(Mr. BOSWELL asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McNerney).

I urge adoption of the manager's amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, in the 111th Congress, this body has made oversight a top priority. Accountability is critical to the legislative process, and it is the principle that the Small Business Committee has consistently worked to promote. So I thank the gentlelady from Florida for this amendment.

As I mentioned, my colleagues and I on the Small Business Committee have conducted a great deal of oversight. We have collaborated with GAO in the past, and I know they do good work. So I would be particularly interested to see them do a study on the effects of venture capital investment in the SBIR program.

In particular, I think it would be useful for all of Congress to understand how both this legislation as well as the 2003 ruling blocking venture capital participation has affected the SBIR program. These questions are critical to our continued oversight of these initiatives, and I thank the gentlelady for her efforts in this area.

I think a study will shed light on the role that venture capital plays in the high-tech arena. For many small firms, access to capital is critical, and it is often equity investment that allows a small business to advance their research to the marketplace.

A recent study by the National Research Council, which this GAO investigation would complement, found that restricting venture capital investment adversely affected the most promising firms. GAO has the broad capabilities to investigate the impact of this legislation and the SBA's regulation in this area, across all SBIR agencies. This comprehensive review will shed light on both the historical patterns of venture capital financing throughout the program, and whether certain agencies are embracing such investment.

Like Ms. Brown-Waite, I am committed to keeping SBIR and STTR small business programs. I believe that this study will help ensure this. With the economy facing so many challenges, expanding access to capital for small businesses has never been more important.

I yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) for any thoughts he may have.

Mr. Chairman, if the gentlelady is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I urge adoption of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while I am not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Space exploration has long been a symbol of American innovation. Today, we are in the process of unwinding one of our most high-profile efforts in that arena. In the next year, NASA's space shuttle project will retire for good. As the program comes to an end, so will an estimated 8,000 contracting jobs. While the project is shutting down, its contractors and the innovation behind it shouldn't have to.

In the past, these firms contributed a great deal to NASA's space shuttle program. I believe they can do the same for other Federal agencies, and for other space initiatives such as the Mars Lander project. That is why Ms. Kosmas's amendment is so important.

By retooling their operations and seeking new markets, space shuttle contractors can continue to offer high-wage jobs to countless Americans, all while maintaining their commitment to science and technology.

This amendment offers transitional assistance to displaced firms, helping them identify and vie for other R&D projects. In doing so, it will ensure that even with the loss of the program, we don't lose our most innovative businesses.

I urge the adoption of this amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) for any comments he wishes to make.

We are prepared to accept the amendment.

I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, the legislation that we're debating today is designed to expand the pool of businesses that participate in the SBIR program. That is why this bill provides grants to economic development organizations so that they can educate rural entrepreneurs as well as businesses owned by women, minorities,

and veterans about SBIR. By expanding the set of businesses that compete for grants and contribute creative ideas, we can further spur innovation and encourage the development of new, better products.

The amendment offered by the gentleman from Washington strengthens this part of the bill. By utilizing organizations that have experience with the communities we are trying to reach, it will expand the reach of the SBIR and STTR program, making this bill more effective.

It only makes sense to have the Small Business Administration leverage the knowledge of groups that already work closely with these populations. These organizations are already familiar with the small businesses in their communities and know which entrepreneurs will make strong SBIR candidates.

With this amendment, we will be able to broaden the pool of talent that competes for SBIR grants. That means more ideas, better ideas, and an improved return on investment for the taxpayer.

I, therefore, urge the adoption of this amendment and yield to the cosponsor of the bill, the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Smith).

(Mr. SMITH of Washington asked and was given permission to revise and extend his remarks.)

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

Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while I am not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for his good amendment.

We all know that one area where SBIR has been most successful is medical research. From heart stents to pacemakers, advances in the medical technology field bring important benefits to the lives of ordinary Americans every day.

In addition to improving our quality of life, the medical technology industry is an important driver in the American economy. In 2006, this industry employed more than 350,000 people and paid $21.5 billion in salaries. Clearly, this field, which is dominated by smaller firms, plays a vital role in providing jobs and fostering economic growth.

Many of these firms got their start thanks to SBIR funding. The kind of high-risk/high-reward research that medical technology companies engage in makes them strong candidates for SBIR grants, so already there is an important relationship between SBIR and advances in the medical technology field. Mr. Paulsen's amendment would codify this relationship by putting a direct reference to medical technology in the act.

While a seemingly small change, this amendment will formalize SBIR's support for medical technology research. In that way, the amendment will support future research and may very well lead to the development of the medicines of tomorrow.

I believe this is a good amendment, and I yield to the ranking member, Mr. Graves, for any comments that he may have.

Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order.

Mr. Speaker, I insist on my point of order.

Putting aside the gentleman's comments, let me just say that we spent almost 2 hours, 3 hours here debating the SBIR/STTR, and what we heard is people talking about the economic downturn and how can we grow this economy. This bill deals with title IX of the Small Business Act. As such, Mr. Speaker, under clause 7 of the House rule, the amendment is not in order and is not germane to the underlying bill.

Mr. Speaker, I move to table the appeal.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of this measure which will update and improve the SBA's ED programs. This bill is a bipartisan product and will not only strengthen small firms but will help them create new jobs for American workers.

This week, we are honoring our Nation's job creators, the entrepreneurs who generate roughly 70 percent of all new positions. As we celebrate Small Business Week this year, we find ourselves in a different place than in celebrations past. The economic landscape has changed considerably, and in the face of an historic recession, small firms cannot always go it alone. After all, starting and running a small business is no easy lift, even when times are good. That is why the Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act is so important. It revs up the engine of our economy, the entrepreneurs who are creating jobs and changing the way our country does business.

This bill gives small firms the tools they need to flourish. By enhancing SBA's entrepreneurial development programs, it will help existing businesses grow and allow aspiring entrepreneurs to get off the ground. These resources are critical. In fact, small firms that use them are twice as likely to succeed than those that don't. But unfortunately, many of these initiatives are outdated and underfunded. Today, we will take important steps to ensure they are running at full capacity.

Despite declines in corporate America, the entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well. Every month, 400,000 new businesses start up across the country. Imagine if each of those firms had access to resources like business development training. Through H.R. 2352 they will. This bill provides entrepreneurs with the tools they need to do everything from draft a business plan to secure equity capital. These services put small firms on a level playing field, allowing them to compete in virtually any sector, including the Federal marketplace.

Although most industries are struggling, the Federal marketplace is booming. With billions of stimulus dollars now in play, that sector presents

enormous opportunity for entrepreneurs. But before they can crack the industry, small firms will need to know its ins and outs. H.R. 2352 provides the training they need to do so. It also offers the necessary technology.

In order to adapt to new markets, many entrepreneurs will need to retool their operations. Through cutting-edge technology programs, this bill allows entrepreneurs everywhere to access the information they need. In doing so, it encourages entrepreneurship in places where it might not otherwise grow. For struggling rural regions and inner cities, H.R. 2352 will be an economic catalyst. It will also reflect the changing face of American business. More and more, women, veterans, and Native Americans are starting their own firms. For these people, entrepreneurship is more than a means of employment; it is a path to economic independence.

From rejuvenating rural regions to promoting entrepreneurship in underrepresented communities, ED makes good economic sense. And in fact, every $1 put into the program puts another $2.87 into the Treasury. If you ask me, that's a pretty good return on investment. By modernizing and enhancing the program, the returns will only get better. Because at the end of the day, strengthening entrepreneurial development programs empowers small businesses, allowing them to grow and, perhaps most importantly, create new jobs for American workers.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers if the ranking member is prepared to close.

Mr. Chairman, I would like to take this opportunity to commend the work of Mr. Shuler and Mr. Luetkemeyer in putting together this bill. I would also like to commend the other members of the committee--Mr. Nye, Mr. Buchanan, Mr. Schock, Mr. Thompson, Mrs. Kirkpatrick, Ms. Fallin, and particularly the ranking member, Mr. Graves--for all of their efforts and contributions in putting together this bipartisan product.

Entrepreneurs have much talent for job creation. In the last few months, much has been made of that ability and with good reason. As employment continues to climb, we need to be investing in the businesses that can put Americans back to work. The Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship Act of 2009 will do just that. That is why this bill is supported by groups as diverse as the American Legion, the Association for Enterprise Opportunity, the International Franchise Association, the National Association for the Self-Employed, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Already, the SBA's entrepreneurial development programs help small firms do everything from draft business plans to accessing capital. These services have been an invaluable resource for countless entrepreneurs, and they have led to the creation of hundreds of thousands of jobs. In fact, entrepreneurial development helped generate 73,000 new positions in 2008 alone.

Despite the program's inherent value, it is in sore need of modernization. Today, we are going to begin the process of turning it around. In doing so, we will ensure that small firms have the tools they need to spark a sustained recovery. What better time to reinforce the backbone of our economy than during Small Business Week. We can do more than celebrate our entrepreneurs. We can empower them and can help them play their unique role as an economic catalyst.

I will now yield to the gentlewoman from Illinois as much time as she may consume.

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

Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield myself such time as I may consume.

The manager's amendment makes technical and conforming changes to the underlying legislation. It also incorporates several important amendments offered by Ms. Markey, Mr. Carney, Mr. Polis, Ms. Pingree, and Mr. Cardoza.

Across all areas of the legislation, these amendments sharpen the provisions, making them more effective in assisting our entrepreneurs. In particular, these amendments strengthen provisions dealing with veterans, rural entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurs, and green technology.

I would like to thank my colleagues who contributed these changes and allowed them to be included in the manager's amendment. Ultimately, we have a manager's amendment that will improve this legislation and, more importantly, foster entrepreneurship and job growth.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly encourage my colleagues to support this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, as our Nation transitions to a green economy, America's entrepreneurs are leading the way. Entrepreneurs make up 90 percent of the renewable energy sector that is harnessing wind and solar power, as well as producing biofuels. Small companies are also dominant in the field of energy efficiency, and they're finding better, cleaner ways to use existing fuel sources.

The renewable energy and efficiency sectors are leading a new way for growth. They are expected to account for one out of every four jobs by 2030. Small businesses are also instrumental in efforts promoting energy efficiency in both existing and new buildings.

The amendment offered by the gentlelady from Colorado will build on this role. It clarifies that Women's Business Centers may utilize their resources to promote cost-saving energy techniques. That is a valuable change to the legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support this amendment.

I now yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he might have.

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

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

I thank the gentleman from Minnesota for offering this amendment. All of us on both sides of the aisle want to make sure that these programs meet the needs of our entrepreneurs. I think we're doing good work with this legislation. But, as with many government programs, we must ensure there is sufficient oversight.

It is important that we carefully monitor how taxpayer dollars are spent and what effect they're having. Most of all, we must be sure that these programs accomplish what Congress intended.

The amendment in question will provide this oversight. It requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the effectiveness of ED programs for veterans.

I welcome this additional oversight. If Congress is going to ensure veterans are receiving the help they need from the SBA, we must make sure these new programs are functioning correctly. I will encourage my colleagues to vote for this amendment.

Now I yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any comments that he may have.

We are prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

I thank the gentleman from Ohio for his amendment. The legislation on the floor today places a high priority on helping veterans who wish to transition from the military to entrepreneurship. As I have noted, this bill for the first time creates a nationwide network of Veterans Business Centers. As our servicemen and -women return home from Afghanistan and Iraq, many of them will look to launch their own businesses as the next step in their careers. This network of Veterans Business Centers will aid them as they make that move. For many veterans, entrepreneurship is a logical next step. Already today, veterans comprise 14 percent of self-employed people. Service-disabled veterans make up 7 percent of small businesses. The underlying legislation would help these veterans who own their own firms as well as assist veterans seeking to start their own enterprises. The amendment before us helps to refine and improve the veterans provisions contained in this bill.

Specifically, the amendment requires that the new veterans centers offer specialized services to help unemployed veterans. In addition, the amendment will help the SBA improve outreach and education to veterans in high unemployment areas, and it would mean that the SBA will dedicate resources to assist those veterans who need help the most. In short, this amendment will do right by those who have served our Nation.

I now yield to the ranking member, the gentleman from Missouri, for any comments that he may have.

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

If the gentleman is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, let me thank the gentleman from Connecticut for this great amendment.

We often hear discussion of the concept of ``welfare to work.'' Well, the amendment before us will move many Americans from ``welfare to entrepreneurship.'' Studies consistently demonstrate that entrepreneurship provides a path out of poverty for many Americans. In particular, we have seen that for many impoverished women, launching their own small business can mean a chance at a bright future. This amendment will provide entrepreneurial development resources to those communities that have been hardest hit by this recession by creating Microenterprise Training Centers. These centers will let Americans interested in starting a very small business, such as a home-based business, access valuable classes, one-on-one instruction and other guidance. These resources will help launch the smallest small businesses, those with six or less employees and that start with $40,000 or less in capital. Under the amendment, the SBA will establish these training centers. The administrator is instructed to place them in parts of the country that have a high proportion of low-income and unemployed individuals.

Mr. Chairman, when economic downturns like the current one hit, those communities that are already hurting often carry the brunt of the pain. Those areas already struggling with high unemployment suffer the most when jobs become even more scarce. The amendment before us will provide additional options for Americans living in these communities. It will mean that those living in poverty will have a better chance to secure their economic independence and build a better life for themselves. The Microloans Program is a program that lends to businesses and those who want to start up a business. These are microenterprises that will provide technical assistance and guidance for those who want to start up a business. It's different.

I commend the gentleman for offering this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, the amendment offered by the gentleman from Maryland will greatly expand the reach of entrepreneurial development programs. Too often small business owners or prospective entrepreneurs cannot access these programs because they live in a rural or remote area. For those small businesses in these parts of America, the nearest Small Business Development Center or Women's Business Center is often many miles away. This can prevent small businesses from accessing the services that we are improving and reauthorizing in the underlying bill.

The amendment offered by the gentleman from Maryland will further ensure that the SBA pays attention to the needs of rural America. Specifically, it creates a rural entrepreneurship advisory council at the Small Business Administration. Drawing from the expertise of the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Commerce, this panel will see to it that ED services provided by the SBA are effective for rural small businesses.

In many rural areas, many small businesses are particularly important. Often they are the community's largest employer. This amendment will ensure that the SBA's entrepreneurial development programs are meeting the needs of rural America.

I urge the adoption of the amendment.

And I now yield to the gentleman from Missouri for any remarks that he might have.

If the gentleman is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from New York for offering this amendment, as I believe it will help to improve the bill. As we all know, and we have seen and we heard that veteran entrepreneurship is on the rise, meaning that these services are in greater and greater demand.

The existing Veterans Business Outreach Centers have seen a 61 percent increase in veterans' requests for their services. Women's Business Centers report a 103 percent increase in veterans' requests. Clearly there is a hunger out there for these type of initiatives. And as more of our men and women return from Iraq and Afghanistan, the need for veterans' entrepreneurial development programs can be expected to grow.

By increasing the resources that are available for our former servicemen and -women, this amendment will help many of them launch their own businesses.

I will now yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) for any comments that he wishes to make.

Mr. Chairman, if the gentleman is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, I urge the adoption of this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, while not opposed to the amendment, I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

Mr. Chairman, let me start by saying that the gentleman from Virginia has been enormously helpful in crafting this legislation. He authored the bill on which title I is based. That measure establishes a portfolio of entrepreneurial development services for our Nation's veterans.

The amendment that he is now offering will go even further. As we have already noted, members of our Armed Forces are natural candidates for entrepreneurship. They exhibit the dedication, resolve and leadership skills that it takes to launch a new enterprise. In many cases, they make excellent Federal contractors as they are familiar with the procurement process or are in fields in high demand by the government.

This amendment takes a very proactive approach by reaching out to members of the military before they are discharged easing their transition back into civilian life.

Today, too many Americans who have worn the uniform of our Nation find themselves unemployed after separating from the service. With this amendment, we create another option, another career path for members of our military.

I thank the gentleman from Virginia for offering this amendment and for all of his work on this bill.

And I now yield to the ranking member from Missouri for any comments that he might have.

If the gentleman is prepared to yield back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

I urge the adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I am not opposed to the amendment. I ask unanimous consent to claim the time in opposition.

The amendment offered by the gentleman from Michigan is a well-thought-out proposal. In fact, earlier this month, the House Small Business Committee conducted a hearing regarding how small parts suppliers and manufacturers are coping given the current problems in the automobile industry. What we heard is troubling. Experts predict that half of the Nation's auto suppliers will be shut down by 2012. Many have already closed their doors.

These factories are vital not just to the automotive sector but to our overall economy. Parts suppliers alone employ 3.2 million workers. We know that the three big car manufacturers are suffering, but these are the smaller of the smaller, and they need our help. So it is very important what this amendment will do.

In the past, these manufacturers have supplied the American automobile industry, and I believe they can continue to have a bright future. By modernizing their facilities and entering new markets, they can keep offering good-paying jobs to millions of Americans while maintaining a strong manufacturing base in this country.

If we have learned any one thing from the current economic crisis, it is that economic stability starts from the bottom up, not the other way around. By stabilizing small manufacturers and part suppliers, we can help the larger firms in the automotive industry. In that process, we will protect millions of jobs. The amendment before us will further this goal.

I urge its adoption, and I yield to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) for any comments he wishes to make.

If the gentleman is prepared to yield back.

I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.