Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the Senate bill (S. 3029) 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.

Madam 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.

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

Madam Speaker, today we will consider a short-term extension for programs in the Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act. The measure extends the authorization of the Small Business Administration and these programs through March 20, 2009. This measure will ensure continued operations at the agency.

The legislation comes before us at a time when the American economy is facing many challenges. Fallout from the subprime crisis is driving a tightening of the credit market, the average price of a gallon of gas is almost $4, and unemployment is rising.

Entrepreneurs can help reverse these trends, if they have the proper tools. Throughout the 110th Congress, the Committee on Small Business has been working to improve and revitalize the economic environment for business activity. With nearly 20 bills passed out of the House, these reforms have been a collaborative and bipartisan effort. With the input of Ranking Member Chabot and other Members of this body, this has included major changes to SBA programs which affect millions of small businesses.

We have already passed measures into law that will help small businesses cope with rising energy costs, as well as become part of the solution. The President also signed a bill earlier this year that provides needed assistance to veteran business owners. And just last week, the House and Senate cleared a package to strengthen the SBA's disaster relief initiatives, which failed so many Americans during Hurricane Katrina.

The House has also reported legislation that is awaiting Senate action. These include reforms to streamline the SBA access to capital initiatives, improve contracting opportunities, and increase the outreach of entrepreneurial programs. We will continue working with the Senate to get these reforms signed into law.

This extension would allow the chamber to move its own versions, setting the groundwork so we may work out any differences. In the interim, and in the midst of a weakened economy, it is essential that these programs continue to serve small firms. The SBA is the sole Federal agency charged with assisting these entrepreneurs, and this bill allows the agency to continue to meet their needs.

I urge support of the bill.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, if the ranking member is prepared to close.

Would the gentleman yield?

H.R. 6----

You know why? Because your President, our President refuses to implement the provisions, at least the one that would lower the cost of loans for small businesses.

Madam Speaker, let me just say in closing that I, too, am concerned and outraged about the fact that we are dealing with an energy crisis that is impacting small businesses, but more important is the fact that we passed an energy bill that has provisions that will provide low-cost loans for small businesses to be able to cope with energy and the gas prices, and yet the President refuses to implement the program.

So I would ask the gentleman, Mr. Shimkus, to join with me in asking the administration and asking the President to implement this provision contained in a bill that was overwhelmingly supported, a bipartisan bill, the energy bill.

And then the gentleman comes here and gives this great speech about energy prices, and yet whenever there is an opportunity for the gentleman to support legislation that would provide relief to small businesses and consumers, he votes against it. Even today on the Gas Price Relief for Consumers Act, Mr. Shimkus voted against it.

Not on this point. I will not yield.

Reclaiming my time.

You had a lot of time. You claimed a lot of time.

The gentleman voted against this bill.

I will not yield at this time.

So, Madam Speaker, I will ask that the Members of this House support the reauthorization of the Small Business Administration, and I will invite everyone who is concerned about energy prices to come and support the bills that we pass that would provide relief to consumers and to small businesses.

You should put your money where your mouth is.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, let me first commend Chairman Frank, Chairwoman Waters, Mr. Towns, and Mr. King for their leadership in moving this necessary legislation forward.

I proudly support H.R. 5937 because it addresses the need for affordable housing for thousands of families in Brooklyn. Across our country, low and moderate-income working families are increasingly finding adequate housing to be out of reach. No place is this disparity more apparent than in New York City where one out of every four families spends over 50 percent of their income on rent. New Yorkers in many ways face the most difficult housing market.

Starrett City is the largest federally subsidized rental complex in the country with 5,800 units and 14,000 residents. Eliminating these units will leave thousands of families stranded and set a dangerous precedent.

H.R. 5937 represents an agreement between government agencies and the owners of Starrett City to keep the development affordable. This is a carefully crafted deal that ensures the long-term vibrancy of a Brooklyn institution.

Starrett City is a strong, hardworking community. The restaurant workers, hotel employees, and seniors who live there are part of Brooklyn's very fabric. If New York loses Starrett City, we all lose a unique chance to preserve this valuable community and set a precedent for generations to come.

Starrett City is the symptom of a much larger problem in New York City and across our Nation. We have an affordability problem that requires immediate action. Today, we are taking a step in the right direction. By saving one Brooklyn development, we lay the groundwork for affordable housing preservation in the future.

I urge a ``yes'' vote on this legislation.

Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of important language in Chairman Oberstar's manager's amendment to H.R. 2830, the Coast Guard Reauthorization Act. This amendment is critical for my constituents who live in the Greenpoint area in Brooklyn. I want to thank Chairman Oberstar and others on the Committee who saw the need for this language, and were willing to act on it.

This important amendment directs the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct a follow up study on the Newtown Creek oil spill. The new EPA study builds upon my earlier effort with my distinguished colleague, Mr. Weiner, to get the EPA to issue a comprehensive report on the oil spill. That earlier report by the EPA, issued last fall, was an important step forward but it raised as many questions as it answered.

Mr. Chairman, it is appropriate that we are considering this issue on a Coast Guard bill. It was the Coast Guard, nearly 30 years ago, that discovered the Newtown Creek oil spill in Greenpoint. The spill is massive, and scientists lack accurate measurements of the scope and impact of the whole of the plume. That's why we need a full site characterization of the Creek, so we know just what is in, around and underneath the Creek bed.

The basic condition of the Creek was not comprehensively addressed in the earlier report. It's past time for a full site characterization of Newtown Creek. The goal not merely oil plume containment, but plume removal. We must help give this important waterway safely back to the community, for its use and enjoyment.

I also am deeply concerned about what threat this material poses to the public. A full site characterization should also allow us to better measure the public health impact of the oil spill. Residents in this part of Brooklyn suffer from asthma, emphysema and bronchitis at a 25 percent higher rate than the rest of the city. Child asthma hospital admissions are especially high. A full site characterization can help public health professionals draw conclusions about the impact of the oil spill on the health of the local community.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman, I want to thank Mr. Weiner for his long- term partnership and hard work in addressing the serious public policy problem posed by the Newtown Creek Oil Spill. I would urge the EPA to seize upon these clear instructions from Congress, and help New York understand just what it is facing at Newtown Creek. Only a full site characterization can accomplish this worthy goal.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, during consideration of H.R. 2830 pursuant to House Resolution 1126, the Chair may reduce to 2 minutes the minimum time for electronic voting under clause 6 of rule XVIII and clauses 8 and 9 of rule XX.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that, during consideration of H.R. 5819 pursuant to House Resolution 1125, the Chair may reduce to 2 minutes the minimum time for electronic voting under clause 6 of rule XVIII and clauses 8 and 9 of rule XX.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on H.R. 5819.

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

Madam Chairman, this year, we celebrate Small Business Week in the face of harsh realities that come with an economic downturn. But it is important to remember that the Nation's 26 million entrepreneurs have always led America's way to economic recovery and sustained growth. That was the case during the last slowdown, when the technology sector--led by small startups--provided the foundation for the booming economy of the 1990s. It can be true again today.

Over the past decades, research conducted by entrepreneurs in the Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs has bolstered every area of American life. The important contributions of these small research firms span such varied disciplines as national security, energy efficiency, and public health infrastructure.

The measure that is before the House today reauthorizes SBIR and STTR. Together, the programs make up the largest government-wide R&D initiative, and they can help us emerge from weak economic times yet again. Just as importantly, the reauthorization will ensure these successful programs continue to spur innovation and job growth, while keeping America at the forefront of the global marketplace.

The last time these programs were reauthorized, the Internet was in its infancy, and the term ``Google'' was an obscure mathematical concept. Today, the Internet is a part of everyday life, and Google is one of the best known and largest companies on the planet.

Our legislation modernizes SBIR/STTR. It ensures small firms can contribute to our country's most pressing research and development challenges. The bill recognizes that, while many good ideas come from large companies and universities, it is American small businesses who are our primary source of innovation. These entrepreneurs, not just Boeing or MIT, develop the type of products and services that meet the needs of the new economy.

H.R. 5819 allows small businesses to continue bringing their critically important ideas from the laboratory to the marketplace. The bill also offers targeted resources for technical assistance and ensures small firms are not discriminated against because of their business model or type of financing.

Last, but not least, H.R. 5819 increases the number of SBIR and STTR applications from rural areas. It also promotes participation by small businesses that are owned by women, service disabled veterans and minorities.

Moreover, this reauthorization enables a greater number of small research companies to advance the sort of innovation that saves lives. As a result, dozens of patient groups support the bill. They include the ALS and Alpha-1 Associations, the Caring Voice Coalition, the Coalition of Heritable Disorders of Connective Tissue, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy and the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance.

The same holds true for a broad array of business groups, representing everything from the agricultural sector to energy and technology organizations. This diverse group of supporters includes the American Electronic Association, the Biotechnology Industry Organization, the Association for Manufacturing Technology, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, and the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce.

Madam Chairman, in passing this legislation, we will ensure the SBIR and STTR awards remain competitive from top-notch research and continue to produce cutting-edge breakthroughs.

There is no better way to celebrate Small Business Week than to support the work of entrepreneurs. That is especially true when it means saving lives, creating high-paying jobs for Americans, reducing our trade deficit, and getting our economy back on track.

I urge my colleagues to join with me and Mr. Chabot in celebrating Small Business Week by voting for this important measure.

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

I yield to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Cuellar), a member of the Small Business Committee, for 3 minutes.

Madam Chairman, I am very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak), vice president of the Small Business Committee.

Madam Chairman, I would like to inquire how much time is remaining on each side, each committee.

Madam Chairman, I would like to yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight.

Madam Chairman, I would like to yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones) for 2 minutes.

(Mrs. JONES of Ohio asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Madam Chairman, I have no further requests for time.

I yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, the gentleman from Alaska comes here and laments about high energy prices. But when he had a chance to vote against price gouging, he voted ``no.'' When he had a chance to vote about long-term alternative energy and conservation, he voted ``no.'' So don't come to the floor and tell us the need to deal with the energy crisis in this Nation, because I can tell you that talk is fine. But when it comes to real solutions, you vote ``no.''

So, Madam Chairman, let's go to the issue at hand. It's just really sad that the minority decided to make SBIR and STTR an innocent bystander on this debate. Let me say that there is no other nation on Earth where a person's dreams of service and innovation can be translated so effectively into a brand of success that yields both wealth and concrete benefits to society. That distinctly American tradition of entrepreneurship, of cutting edge and ideas and service to society, is what Small Business Week is all about. It is also the core of H.R. 5819.

I want to thank Chairman Gordon and Ranking Member Hall, Mr. Wu and Mr. Ehlers from the Science and Technology Committee, as well as my own ranking member, Mr. Chabot, for their work on this important legislation. I am particularly grateful for Mr. Chabot's input on this legislation, and I think that our collaboration has produced a better product for our Nation's small businesses.

I also want to recognize the staff members on both committees for their tireless work. A special thank you goes to Bill Maguire on Small Business Committee Democratic staff; Michael Day, and to Joe Hartz on Mr. Chabot's side of the aisle, and Kevin Fitzpatrick. I also would like to acknowledge Melissa Shannon from the Speaker's office. On the Science and Technology Committee I would like to recognize the Democratic staff, Mike Quear; from Mr. Wu's staff, Dennis Worden; and from Mr. Graves' personal office, Paul Sass.

Most of all, I would like to thank the men and women of America's small business. It is their efforts that continue to make our Nation great. They keep us moving forward, no matter what challenges arise, and they deserve our support and respect.

Once again, I urge my colleagues to join me in celebrating Small Business Week by voting ``yes'' on this important legislation.

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

I thank Congressman Boswell and Congresswoman Sutton for their amendment and their efforts to improve the bill. This amendment encourages applications from economically distressed areas and helps ensure the competitive research proposal submitted from companies in this area will receive valuable early stage funding. The amendment will strengthen the SBIR program, and has the potential to spur entrepreneurship and create jobs in distressed areas.

Now, Madam Chairman, I will yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton), a cosponsor of the amendment, such time as she may consume.

Madam Chairman, I will yield to the gentleman from Ohio for any comments that he may have.

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

Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Iowa and the gentlewoman from Ohio for their work on this legislation. I urge adoption of the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I appreciate the gentleman's tireless leadership with respect to Federal funding for research and development. It was the gentleman's bill that reauthorized the SBIR program 8 years ago, and he is, therefore, well aware that the amount of Federal research budgets that go to America's small research companies is extremely limited. The fact that innovative small firms have such limited access to Federal research dollars is a problem for our country, and I want to work with the gentleman from Michigan to find a solution that will address this problem.

That said, I understand the gentleman's point of view, and I am going to accept the amendment. As the reauthorization process goes forward, I trust that just as we work in a collaborative, bipartisan manner on the Small Business Committee, that you and I can work together to increase the amount of Federal research dollars available to small firms without raising concerns about the country's critical research priorities.

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

Madam Chairman, if the gentleman is prepared to yield

back, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

Madam Chairman, I just would like to thank Mr. Ehlers for his commitment. I look forward to our working together to address the issue of the limited resources.

With that, I am prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I thank the gentleman for his amendment and his effort to improve this bill. The amendment requires Federal agencies to notify unsuccessful applicants to the SBIR program that they can request an explanation of the reasons their application was not funded. This amendment is likely to be a useful clarification to those small firms who are applying to revise their proposals in order to reapply.

I would now yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) for any comments that he might have.

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

I yield back the balance of my time.

I want to thank the gentleman from Utah for yielding and for his amendment and his efforts to improve the bill. Since the Republicans today are so concerned about energy crisis and gasoline prices, this is an opportunity to start addressing this issue.

With gasoline at $4 a gallon and the evidence concerning global climate change mounting, the importance of research in the area of clean energy sources is increasingly clear. The amendment recognizes that technologies which can improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions are a critical national research priority. As such, the amendment will give priority to SBIR and STTR applications that address clean energy research topics. I support this amendment and I urge adoption of this amendment.

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

Madam Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from Arizona for her amendment and for her efforts to improve this bill.

Small businesses awarded SBIR grants from the Federal Government should create jobs and pay appropriate and applicable taxes in the United States. This amendment will ensure this is the case. It is an important clarification for Federal agencies providing SBIR funds.

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

We are going to accept the amendment and support the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Missouri for his amendment and his efforts to improve the bill. Mr. Graves has been a leader in our committee on many issues, and I appreciate his efforts to improve this legislation.

This amendment clarifies the availability of venture capital to small companies. It makes sure that we do not end up disqualifying any current participant in the SBIR program.

Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).

I yield to the gentleman from Missouri for an answer.

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I am prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Michigan.

Reclaiming my time, Mr. Ehlers, I understand your concern. But I will say that at a time when we are facing an economic crisis in our country where so many small businesses have been impacted because of the lack of access to capital and the credit crunch, this is the time when this amendment makes sense.

We are allowing for small businesses and SBIR companies across the country to have the ability to secure venture capital so they can continue to provide innovation and the new technologies that are so needed in our economy.

I reserve the balance of my time.

We are prepared to accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I thank the gentlewoman from California for her amendment and her efforts to improve this bill. H.R. 5819 directs Federal agencies to establish initiatives by which agencies encourage partnerships between SBIR awardees and prime contractors, venture capital firms and larger businesses. The purpose of these partnerships is to help awardees progress toward phase III of the SBIR program.

The amendment highlights the significant role that business incubators can play for small firms as they work to commercialize their research. It is completely appropriate for Federal agencies to acknowledge business incubators as valuable partners with SBIR awardees.

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

Madam Chairman, we are prepared to accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Chairman, I really thank the gentlewoman for her amendment and her efforts to improve this bill.

The amendment requires Federal agencies to give priority to SBIR and STTR applications submitted by veterans. During a time when our country is at war, it is particularly appropriate to prioritize SBIR applications submitted by our veterans. And I support this amendment.

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

Yes, I will.

Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time, and I accept the amendment.

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

Madam Chairman, I just simply want to say thank you to the gentlelady from Ohio for her sensitivity and commitment to our veterans at a time of war, and for working to perfect this legislation.

I have no opposition to this amendment. I am prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot).

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Georgia for his amendment and his efforts to improve this bill.

The amendment establishes a grant program for minority institution with the purpose of increasing the number of SBIR and STTR applications submitted by companies owned by minorities. The participation of women- owned and minority-owned companies in the SBIR program continues to be at unacceptably low levels. The Barrow amendment--along with the provisions of H.R. 5819, that reauthorize the FAST program--seeks to address this challenge. It does this by funding outreach efforts to encourage and support more applicants by companies owned by minorities.

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

With that, I will accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Chairman, I want to take the opportunity to thank the gentlewoman from West Virginia for her efforts to improve this bill. The amendment directs the SBIR advisory boards established under H.R. 5819 to include in their annual report to Congress the number and the dollar amount of SBIR awards made to small businesses and controlled by service-disabled veterans. This is valuable data that Congress should have. Moreover, the collection of this data is likely to encourage Federal agencies to redouble their efforts to publicize the SBIR programs to service-disabled veterans.

I now would like to yield to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) for any comments he might have.

Madam Chairman, we're prepared to accept the amendment, and I urge adoption of the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, as the designee of Mr. Carney of Pennsylvania, I offer an amendment.

Madam Chairman, small business development centers, which are accredited for their technology services, are particularly well-positioned to provide support for companies preparing SBIR applications. It is appropriate that FAST grant applications that incorporate the services of those SBDCs that are accredited for technology services should be viewed favorably by the SBA.

The amendment will ensure that the Small Business Administration includes this preference in the grant selection criteria it develops for the FAST program.

I support this amendment.

I yield time to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Carney).

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

I am prepared to accept the amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

I thank the gentlewoman from New York for her amendment and for her efforts to improve the legislation. The amendment requires that at least one veteran small business owner must serve on the SBIR Advisory Board that H.R. 5819 establishes in section 104. These boards are meant to provide small firms with an avenue to communicate with Federal agencies about the SBIR program.

The intention of the amendment is to help ensure that agencies are as responsive as possible to the unique needs of small research companies and to veteran-owned small firms in particular.

I support this intention.

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

Madam Chairman, I urge the adoption of the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, as the designee of Mr. Walz of Minnesota, I offer an amendment.

Madam Chairman, the amendment directs the administrator of the Small Business Administration to consult with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop an initiative that publicizes the SBIR programs to veterans returning from service. The amendment will direct the SBA and the VA to work together to encourage veterans to apply for SBIR grants.

Many of the veterans returning from service are highly skilled and highly trained in technical fields. The amendment will draw on this pool of talent and increase the number of veterans applying for SBIR awards. Our efforts such as this will strengthen the SBIR program, especially the Department of Defense's SBIR program.

I urge adoption of this amendment.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I yield to the gentleman from Vermont (Mr. Welch).

Reclaiming my time, you have my commitment to monitor Federal agencies' efforts to award grants to small firms. And as this legislation moves forward, we will work with you to identify ways that agencies are properly studying and making available opportunities for small businesses.

Madam Chairman, I urge adoption of the Walz amendment I am offering on his behalf.

I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Madam Chairman, I thank the gentlemen for their amendment and their efforts to improve the bill. It is only appropriate that the recipients of Federal grants like the SBIR and STTR programs should be majority owned and controlled by individuals who are citizens of or permanent resident aliens in the United States. The amendment would clarify this requirement.

I support this amendment, but it is important to recognize that we cannot solve our country's immigration challenges on a piecemeal basis. This is an important amendment and reminds us that comprehensive immigration reform is good for America's national and economic security.

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

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Chairman, I am prepared to accept the amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I reserve a point of order against the motion.

Mr. Speaker, I withdraw my reservation on the point of order, and I rise in opposition to the motion.

Mr. Speaker, the motion we are considering today will do nothing to lower gas prices. But what this bill does is it will provide for small businesses to afford the resources that would allow for them to bring prices down by promoting new technologies.

My question to the author of the motion to recommit is, where is your outrage when the President refuses to implement H.R. 6, which would allow for small businesses to lower gas prices?

When the Republicans had a chance to vote on price gouging, you voted ``no.'' When you had a chance to have America invest in alternative energy, you voted ``no.'' When you had a chance to invest in conservation, you voted ``no.'' This is the height of hypocrisy. This motion does nothing to lower gas prices in the country.

In the country, it will kill the bill that we allow for small businesses in this country to have the tools and resources to deal with the issue of energy conservation and gas prices in this Nation.

Vote ``no'' on this motion to recommit.

I yield to the majority leader.

Mr. Speaker, I yield the remainder of my time to the gentleman from Oregon (Mr. Wu).

Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``no'' vote on the motion to recommit.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore

Mr. Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 5819, to include corrections in spelling, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, the insertion of appropriate headings, and to conform the table of contents.

Madam Speaker, I submit the following CBO cost estimate for the bill H.R. 5819.

H.R. 5819--SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act

Summary: H.R. 5819 would extend programs that require

certain agencies to set aside portions of their research and

development budgets for small businesses. The bill also would

authorize appropriations to improve efforts to develop

products funded through those programs that can be sold

commercially. Finally, the bill would require participating

agencies to develop new databases for program evaluation and

business development.

Based on information from the Small Business Administration

(SBA) and other agencies, CBO estimates that implementing

H.R. 5819 would cost $263 million over the 2009-2013 period,

subject to appropriation of the specified and necessary

amounts. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending

or revenues.

H.R. 5819 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector

mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

(UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal

governments.

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated

budgetary impact is shown in the following table. The costs

of this legislation fall within budget functions 050

(national defense), 250 (general science, space, and

technology). 270 (energy), 300 (natural resources and

environment), 350 (agriculture), 370 (commerce and housing

credit), 400 (transportation), 500 (education, training,

employment, and social services), 550 (health), and 750

(administration of justice).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the resolution (H. Res. 1082) recognizing the plumbing industry and supporting the goals and ideals of ``National Plumbing Industry Week''.

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 resolution under consideration.

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

Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the House Small Business Committee, I rise to support this resolution recognizing the contributions of the U.S. plumbing industry during National Plumbing Industry Week. I am pleased to be joined by my ranking member, Representative Steve Chabot, in offering this legislation.

I stand before you today to honor a sector of the U.S. small businesses that provide vital contributions to the lives of millions of Americans. The plumbing industry is one of the oldest trades in the country. It employs thousands and serves every American. In fact, over 90 percent of the firms in this sector are led by entrepreneurs. And their companies create jobs in every city and town across the Nation.

In the coming weeks, one of the leading trade associations representing these plumbers will be celebrating its 125th anniversary. The Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors National Association was founded in my home city of New York in 1883.

This resolution highlights the contributions of many of its members, as well as those of other American plumbing professionals. During National Plumbing Industry Week, many of them will visit Capitol Hill, as they have done in previous years, to advocate issues of critical importance to their trade.

The industry will also use the observance to promote greater energy efficiency, water conservation and worker training. On this last point, it is worth noting that because the plumbing industry has placed such emphasis on professional skills, it has one of the best and most extensive training programs in this country. That program has been vital in meeting the demands of the new green economy. Consumers in every community are benefiting from its careful design and unparalleled success. To accommodate the growing needs of our greener economy, the plumbing trade also has a newly developed apprentice and education program. It will create new opportunities and further showcase the positive impacts of green jobs.

Mr. Speaker, it is my hope that this resolution will focus the country's attention on the important role that plumbing contractors play in our daily lives. Their industry is vital to our economy for its work and for the job opportunities it provides thousands of our fellow Americans.

Mr. Speaker, without this industry, it would be difficult to be assured that the water our family uses to drink and bathe in is safe and nontoxic. We are proud this House will take a moment to thank such an important part of our Nation's infrastructure and economic base, our plumbers.

I urge my colleagues to join me and Mr. Chabot in passing this resolution, and I urge support of this legislation.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, as Members of this Chamber know, our Nation's small businesses come in all types and a broad range of sizes. Each one makes an important contribution to our society and is an essential part of the great economic engine. In fact, there is no other nation on Earth where a person's dreams of service and innovation can be translated so effectively into the brand of success that yields both wealth and concrete benefits to communities. Entrepreneurs are the reason for this. They are the lifeblood of the U.S. economy.

Moving forward, we should remember that these hard-working business people, including those who are part of the plumbing trade, are the reason our Nation has thrived. So in recognizing the men and women of the plumbing industry today, we extend our salute to every small business person across America.

We thank plumbers for their invaluable effort and encourage the American spirit of service, progress and business excellence. That is the hallmark of our Nation's small firms, and it is one we should all be proud of.

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

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and achievements of Johnnie L. Albertson, a 32-year employee of the Small Business Administration who died on December 26, 2007, at the age of 83. She leaves behind a legacy of leadership, especially in her dedication to equal rights and the development of programs to improve the success rate of minority- and female-owned small businesses.

Following a career in business and advertising, Ms. Albertson served at the Small Business Administration from 1973 until her retirement in 2005. She was the first Associate Administrator for the Small Business Development Center program and proved instrumental in the success of the initiative, which assists more than 600,000 small businesses every year. In recognition of her outstanding service, Ms. Albertson was the first recipient of the SBA's Lifetime Achievement Awards, and was honored with the Silver Medal for Meritorious Service for her work developing a national training program for women entrepreneurs.

Johnnie Albertson broke through gender and class barriers at every stage of her life. During World War II, she served in the Women's Air Force Service Pilots corps as a pilot and ferried replacement aircraft across the Pacific. She later became the first female to sell advertising space for three major newspapers: The Washington Post, The New York Times and the New York Herald Tribune. At the Small Business Administration, she rose to become the first female Senior Executive-- the highest rank possible for a civil servant without a congressional appointment.

Born in North Carolina, Ms. Albertson was self-educated and a voracious reader. She overcame many difficulties in her life, including the loss of her parents at a young age, to achieve great successes. Beloved by all who met her, she is remembered by her friends and family for her outrageous and irreverent sense of humor, owl glasses, love of jazz music, generosity, and fierce determination.

It is my honor, as chairwoman of the Small Business Committee, to acknowledge Johnnie Albertson's life accomplishments and celebrate her contributions to small business, entrepreneurship, and our nation as a whole. She was an inspiration to many and a friend to all. Her pioneering spirit, courage, and leadership will be missed, but her legacy will endure.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to the resolution (H. Res. 921) providing for the concurrence by the House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 4253, with an amendment.

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

Madam Speaker, this body has heard time and again of the courage, discipline and selflessness with which our veterans serve this Nation. What is less well known, however, are the contributions that veterans make to our Nation's economy.

Last month, 407 Members of this House voted to pass H.R. 4253. This bill represented an important step toward a comprehensive update of the Small Business Administration's veterans assistance programs, programs which remove barriers to veterans' self-employment and provide veteran entrepreneurs with support for growth and expansion. Again, I wish to commend Congressman Jason Altmire and Congressman Vern Buchanan for their leadership on this legislation.

Not long after this body passed H.R. 4253, the Senate took up the legislation and offered a number of changes. The resolution we are considering today provides for the concurrence in the Senate amendment and makes additional changes of our own.

The amendment in this resolution does two things. First, the amendment makes technical revisions to clarify language in the bill. Second, the amendment removes a nongermane provision that was inserted by the Senate amendment to H.R. 4253.

As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, the number of returning veterans will only increase. Our support for veterans, however, does not end with their deployment. We must continue to work to support these budding entrepreneurs as they reach for the American dream of business ownership. I believe the underlying bill is a major step towards realizing this goal, and I strongly support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support this resolution.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield to the gentleman from Pennsylvania, a lead sponsor of the bill, Mr. Jason Altmire, as much time as he may consume.

Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers, but I reserve the right to close.

Madam Speaker, I just want to take the opportunity again to thank Ranking Member Chabot and Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Altmire and also the staff from the Democratic side and the Republican side for working in a bipartisan manner to help achieve this goal of providing the tools necessary for the veterans who are returning home.

With that, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 921.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, today is a historic day for America. This legislation blazes a trail by putting small businesses at the forefront of solving our energy problems. It is clear there is no greater obstacle to our long-term economic growth than the rising costs of energy.

With this bill, we are not only addressing this challenge today, but also for future generations, and leading the effort will be this Nation's entrepreneurs. This legislation will enable small farmers to produce more clean energy. Small businesses already make up 85 percent of the renewable fuels industry, and this ensures they remain

viable in a global economy. The establishment of the Renewable Fuels Capital Investment Company will only increase the number of small firms involved in producing ethanol and biodiesel.

Small manufacturers are also expected to expand their efforts in improving energy conservation. With greater access to capital for developing clean technologies, these firms can use these resources to innovate and create designs to enhance efficiency. When people talk about a green economy and green collar jobs, they talk about small businesses.

Mr. Speaker, these reforms sustain and expand the efforts of small businesses in adding stability to our energy markets. This will be accomplished by reducing energy usage, encouraging conservation and limiting greenhouse gas emissions. The bill before us shows that meeting the needs of our environment doesn't mean we cannot meet the needs of our economy.

In short, Mr. Speaker, I commend the leadership on this important bill, support its immediate passage, and urge the President to sign this into law.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to support this historical energy legislation now before us. This legislation moves us toward energy independence and meets the needs of this Nation's entrepreneurs.

Small businesses are not just the most impacted by high energy costs, but small businesses are also leaders in domestic protection of energy. They make up 80 percent of all renewable fuels producers in this country. This legislation makes them part of the solution. It does this by developing innovative new technologies, reduces carbon emission, increases clean renewable energy production, and modernizes our energy infrastructure. Much of this was accomplished under the leadership of Congressman Heath Shuler, whose legislation, the Small Business Energy Efficiency Act, is contained in this bill. It's initiatives provide entrepreneurs with increased access to financing and technical assistance to improve their energy efficiency. It also establishes the Renewable Fuels Capital Investment Company Program that will provide capital for small businesses involved in the production of renewable energy.

Mr. Speaker, as Chair of the Small Business Committee, we held over 50 hearings. We have been in every part of this country. And when small businesses talk to us, before they even talk to health care, and not even taxes, they tell us that we've got to do something about energy costs.

This bill is good for consumers, good for the environment; it's good for the small businesses; and, most of all, it's good for our economy. Vote ``yes'' on this bill.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4253) to improve and expand small business assistance programs for veterans of the armed forces and military reservists, and for other purposes.

Madam 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.

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

In their service to the Nation, veterans have demonstrated strength, discipline and dedication to preserving security. At home, they have proven to be invaluable components of a strong economy.

We have already seen the impact veterans can have on the business community. Currently, approximately 22 percent of servicemembers in the United States have either purchased or started a new business. These entrepreneurs are significant contributors to job growth and expansion of local economies.

I wish to commend Congressman Jason Altmire and Congressman Vern Buchanan for their leadership in crafting this bill that will further this effort. H.R. 4253 promotes veterans' continued pursuit of self- employment and provides them with the support for growth that they deserve. It accomplishes this objective by comprehensively updating several of the Small Business Administration's programs to better meet the current needs of veteran entrepreneurs.

The bill addresses several of the impediments to veterans' success as entrepreneurs. Because servicemembers are removed from the workforce for an extended period of time, they can often then face difficulties securing capital or technical assistance upon their return from service. Additionally, while many veterans receive specialized skills during their service, it is often quite difficult transforming those skills into profitable resources. We can increase veteran entrepreneurial opportunities by creating the right tools to ensure their success.

H.R. 4253 responds to these challenges by establishing a strong role for the Federal Government to help veterans overcome obstacles to entrepreneurship. The legislation increases veterans' access to affordable capital, enhances entrepreneurial development resources, and sharpens the focus of Federal resources on this key member of the small business community.

Veterans will have improved access to capital with specially tailored initiatives in the SBA's 7(a) and disaster loan programs. This will help returning servicemen and women bridge the gap for financial capital that they need to start and grow a new endeavor. By increasing outreach assistance centers and entrepreneurial development program resources, the bill also improves access to assistance that will help veteran entrepreneurs evaluate business ideas, conduct market research, and receive technology training.

This legislation will also establish an interagency task force that will take a lead role in altering the institutional culture at the Federal level to promote increased veteran entrepreneurship. This will significantly improve the coordination of various Federal agencies' veteran service programs. Additionally, new initiatives will improve transition assistance for separating servicemembers, and provide customized support to service disabled, women veterans, and the members of the reserves. This will ensure that all sectors are considered in Federal veteran policymaking.

As new troops are added to the already 13,000 that have returned home just from Iraq and Afghanistan, it is imperative that our resources and initiatives are designed to effectively prepare them for economic success.

With their tremendous potential to thrive as entrepreneurs and their critical service for which we all greatly benefit, we must continue to work to allow these budding entrepreneurs to realize the American Dream of business ownership. I believe this bill is a major step towards realizing this goal, and I strongly support this legislation.

I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4253.

I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I recognize Mr. Altmire, the sponsor of the legislation, for as much time as he may consume.

Madam Speaker, I would like to yield myself the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have produced over 600,000 new veterans thus far and have created a serious challenge for the Nation: how to facilitate our returning servicemembers' successful transition back home and into our economy. Given the ongoing nature of these conflicts, the shift in economic opportunities and the diverse needs of returning veterans, this is an unprecedented situation that will require a major and rapid response.

To promote veterans' abilities to be productive engines of the economy, I believe we must comprehensively modernize Federal programs designed to assist this key group through self-employment opportunities. H.R. 4253 achieves this objective by obtaining the Small Business Administration programs to ensure they are customized to meet the growing needs of this sector in a changing economy.

This Nation has a clear obligation to ensure that our returning servicemembers have the assistance they need to succeed at entrepreneurship. By complementing their individual strengths with appropriate Federal resources, we can help them realize their full potential, while also growing the economy.

Madam Speaker, I want to thank the staff that worked on this bill. From the majority staff, Michael Day, Adam Minehardt and Andy Jimenez. From the minority staff, Barry Pineles and Kevin Fitzpatrick. I also want to recognize Max Goodman from Mr. Buchanan's staff and Cara Toman and Erik Komendant from Mr. Altmire's staff.

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 4253.

Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and urge its adoption.

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