Floor Statements

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4252) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through May 23, 2008, 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 such 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. This bill extends the authorization of the Small Business Administration and these programs through May 23, 2008.

This short-term extension is necessary to ensure continuous operations at the agencies so that this Nation's entrepreneurs continue to receive vital assistance. The programs at the SBA are designed to stimulate job creation and economic development across the country.

As the sole Federal agency charged with assisting this Nation's 26 million small businesses, it is critical that the SBA is able to meet their needs through access to capital, technical assistance and increasing their ability to secure Federal contracting opportunities.

The Small Business Committee has been working to improve and revitalize these efforts through a number of bills. The committee has taken steps to provide an overhaul and improvements to ensure our Federal Government is adapting to the current economy.

With 15 bills passed out of the House, these reforms have been a collaborative and bipartisan effort to assist small firms. Four of these bills were sponsored by Members of the minority, and nearly all of these bills have passed with over 300 votes in the House. I will also note that 10 different members of the committee, six of whom are serving their first term in Congress, have been the sponsors of these bills.

These reforms include major changes to SBA programs which affect millions of small businesses. The bills that have been passed are designed to improve small business contracting programs, as well as providing needed updates to the SBA disaster program that failed so many Americans during Hurricane Katrina.

The committee and the House have also reported legislation which streamlines the SBA access to capital initiatives and increases the outreach of entrepreneurial programs. With these bills passed out of this Chamber, we are prepared to take the final step to pass a comprehensive reauthorization to the SBA and its programs.

We will continue working with the Senate to get these reforms signed into law. This extension will provide time for the Senate to move their own changes and allow us to work out any differences.

At a time when the economy is in an uncertain state, it is important that these programs continue to serve small firms as Congress crafts these reforms. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Chabot to move ahead on these efforts. Our common goal is to ensure the SBA can adequately and efficiently respond to the needs of entrepreneurs. Our Nation's main job creators, small businesses, deserve nothing less.

Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3866) to reauthorize certain programs under the Small Business Act for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, our economy is constantly evolving and changing. For this Nation's 27 million small firms to be successful, our economic policies must be adjusted accordingly.

While we have made great strides in this Congress to make sure the needs of small business owners are met, H.R. 3866 is the final step in reauthorizing small business assistance programs, ensuring the success and growth of small firms.

Today, entrepreneurs are faced with many challenges. They must compete in a global marketplace, deal with rising energy and health care costs, and find ways to access affordable capital. To alleviate many of these burdens, we have passed initiatives in this Congress that provide the overall tools for entrepreneurial success. We have passed legislation that lowers the cost of loans and gives minorities greater access to SBA programs.

Through H.R. 3567, SBA's investment programs were improved and a new source of equity capital was open to entrepreneurs through angel investment. Also, small business contracting programs has been modernized, accountability has been increased, and fraud has been reduced. This makes sure small firms have fair access to the Federal marketplace and allows them to continue growing their companies and creating jobs.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, entrepreneurs were faced with delays in disaster loans, overwhelming amounts of paperwork, and a lengthy application process leaving them frustrated and discouraged. The RECOVER Act ensures that the SBA is prepared, has a large, well- trained disaster response workforce, and that delays and poor service encountered by victims of hurricanes do not happen again.

While critical, these initiatives are just the first step. The Small Business Programs Act of 2007 provides the vehicle for SBA's small business assistance programs to run and meet the needs of entrepreneurs in our changing economy. Most importantly, it gives the SBA the necessary resources to continue helping small businesses start and expand.

H.R. 3866 extends SBA's small business assistance programs for the next 2 years. Also, this bill provides the necessary authority for the SBA to carry out its lending and venture capital programs, ensuring SBA's initiatives are

the premier lending tools for entrepreneurs.

The SBA and its programs are vital to assisting small businesses across this country. Along with the Small Business Development Centers, Women Business Centers, and SCORE, the SBA has worked to meet the rising demand for services at a time when their budget continues to decrease.

These programs have a proven track record of success, but they require sufficient resources to be able to evolve and modernize. Clearly, in order for small firms to adapt to changing economic conditions, small business assistance programs must be adjusted. There is no larger job creator or greater impact on local communities in this country than small firms.

H.R. 3866 arms small business assistance programs with the tools that allow entrepreneurs to continue spurring economic growth.

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for the Small Business Programs Act of 2007.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close if the gentleman is prepared to close.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, there is no question that today's economic environment is increasingly difficult for small firms to thrive in. We have seen record highs in gas prices, unmanageable health care costs and barriers in the way of accessing affordable capital. Now, more than ever, small businesses need assistance programs they can rely on that are well- equipped to meet their needs. With the Small Business Programs Act of 2007 that is exactly what we are giving entrepreneurs.

This legislation ensures that our Nations's 27 million entrepreneurs have access to the business development assistance that they need and deserve. These firms employ one half of our workforce, spur economic development and revitalize our communities. When their businesses are growing and flourishing, the benefits are felt across the country.

With the passage of H.R. 3866, we set program levels for SBA's entrepreneurial assistance initiatives, updating and modernizing them. The primary role of the SBA is to help entrepreneurs who have the drive but need assistance. It is clear that small firms play a crucial role in our economy. By ensuring that these businesses have current and sufficient assistance, we are investing in our communities, helping to create jobs, and benefiting the Nation as a whole.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ranking Member Chabot for

your collaboration for us to work together in a responsible way, to follow regular order, and I am very proud that every time that we have considered legislation, we have done so in a very inclusive, open way and we can show results. With the passage of this bill, we have passed 15 bills through the House of Representatives. I am very proud of that product. It shows the things that can be done when we respect each other despite our differences. But we show the American public that we are willing to work together on their behalf.

I also would like to take an opportunity to thank the staff that worked on this legislation from the Small Business Committee majority staff, Tim Slattery and Michael Day, and from the minority staff, Barry Pineles, Kevin Fitzpatrick and Mike Smullen. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3866, the Small Business Programs Act of 2007.

General Leave

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. 3866, as amended.

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

Mr. Speaker, in accordance with clause 2(a) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I respectfully submit the rules of the Committee on Small Business for printing in the Congressional Record. The Committee on Small Business adopted these rules by voice vote, a quorum being present, at our organizational meeting on January 31, 2007.

Rules and Procedures Adopted by the Committee on Small Business, U.S.

House of Representatives, 110th Congress, 2007-2008

1. GENERAL PROVISIONS

The Rules of the House of Representatives, and in

particular the committee rules enumerated in rule XI, are the

rules of the Committee on Small Business to the extent

applicable and by this reference are incorporated. Each

subcommittee of the Committee on Small Business (hereinafter

referred to as the ``committee'') is a part of the committee

and is subject to the authority and direction of the

committee, and to its rules to the extent applicable.

2. REFERRAL OF BILLS BY CHAIRWOMAN

Unless retained for consideration by the committee, all

legislation and other matters referred to the committee shall

be referred by the Chairwoman to the subcommittee of

appropriate jurisdiction within 14 calendar days. Where the

subject matter of the referral involves the jurisdiction of

more than one subcommittee or does not fall within any

previously assigned jurisdictions, the Chairwoman shall refer

the matter, as she may deem advisable.

3. DATE OF MEETING

The regular meeting date of the committee shall be the

second Thursday of every month when the House is in session.

A regular meeting of the committee may be dispensed with if,

in the judgment of the Chairwoman, there is no need for the

meeting. Additional meetings may be called by the Chairwoman

as she may deem necessary or at the request of a majority of

the members of the committee in accordance with clause 2(c)

of rule XI of the House.

At least 3 days notice of such an additional meeting shall

be given unless the Chairwoman determines that there is good

cause to call the meeting on less notice.

The determination of the business to be considered at each

meeting shall be made by the Chairwoman subject to clause

2(c) of rule XI of the House.

A regularly scheduled meeting need not be held if there is

no business to be considered or, upon at least 3 days notice,

it may be set for a different date.

4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF HEARINGS

Unless the Chairwoman, with the concurrence of the Ranking

Minority Member, or the committee by majority vote,

determines that there is good cause to begin a hearing at an

earlier date, public announcement shall be made of the date,

place and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by

the committee at least 7 calendar days before the

commencement of that hearing.

After announcement of a hearing, the committee shall make

available as soon as practicable to all Members of the

committee a tentative witness list and to the extent

practicable a memorandum explaining the subject matter of the

hearing (including relevant legislative reports and other

necessary material). In addition, the Chairwoman shall make

available as soon as practicable to the Members of the

committee any official reports from departments and agencies

on the subject matter as they are received.

5. MEETINGS AND HEARINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

(A) Meetings: Each meeting of the committee or its

subcommittees for the transaction of business, including the

markup of legislation, shall be open to the public, including

to radio, television and still photography coverage, except

as provided by clause 4 of rule XI of the House, except when

the committee or subcommittee, in open session and with a

majority present, determines by record vote that all or part

of the remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed

to the public because disclosure of matters to be considered

would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive

law enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade

or incriminate any person or otherwise would violate any law

or rule of the House; Provided, however, that no person other

than members of the committee, and such congressional staff

and such executive branch representatives as they may

authorize, shall be present in any business meeting or markup

session which has been closed to the public.

(B) Hearings: Each hearing conducted by the committee or

its subcommittees shall be open to the public, including

radio, television and still photography coverage, except when

the committee or subcommittee, in open session and with a

majority present, determines by record vote that all or part

of the remainder of the hearing on that day shall be closed

to the public because disclosure of testimony, evidence or

other matters

to be considered would endanger the national security, would

compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or would

violate any law or rule of the House; Provided, however, that

the committee or subcommittee may by the same procedure vote

to close one subsequent day of hearings. Notwithstanding the

requirements of the preceding sentence, a majority of those

present, there being in attendance the requisite number

required under the rules of the committee to be present for

the purpose of taking testimony, (i) may vote to close the

hearing for the sole purpose of discussing whether testimony

or evidence to be received would endanger the national

security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement

information, or violate clause 2(k)(5) of rule XI of the

House; or (ii) may vote to close the hearing, as provided in

clause 2(k)(5) of rule XI of the House.

All members of the committee shall be able to participate

in any subcommittee hearing.

No member of the House may be excluded from non-

participatory attendance at any hearing of the committee or

any subcommittee, unless the House of Representatives shall

by majority vote authorize the committee or subcommittee, for

purposes of a particular series of hearings on a particular

article of legislation or on a particular subject of

investigation, to close its hearing to members by the same

procedures designated for closing hearings to the public.

Such members who would like to participate shall notify the

Ranking Minority Member and submit a request to the

Chairwoman one day in advance of such hearing.

6. WITNESSES

(A) Statement of Witnesses: Each witness who is to appear

before the committee or subcommittee shall file with the

committee at least two business days before the day of his or

her appearance 75 copies of his or her written statement of

proposed testimony. Each witness shall also submit to the

committee a copy of his or her final prepared statement in an

electronic format at that time.

At least one copy of the statement of each witness shall be

furnished directly to the Ranking Minority Member. In

addition, all witnesses shall be required to submit with

their testimony a curriculum vitae or other statement

describing their education, employment, professional

affiliations and other background information pertinent to

their testimony unless waived by the Chairwoman. Each witness

will complete a disclosure form detailing any contracts or

business that they currently have with the federal

government.

The committee will provide public access to its printed

materials, including the proposed testimony of witnesses, in

electronic form.

(B) Interrogation of Witnesses: Whenever any hearing is

conducted by the committee or any subcommittee upon any

measure or matter, the minority party members on the

committee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairwoman

by a majority of those minority members, to call a witness or

witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to

that measure or matter. The minority shall be entitled to a

ratio of one-third of the witnesses testifying. For the

purposes of determining this ratio, it shall not include

testifying government officials. The witnesses requested by

the minority shall be invited to testify by the Chairwoman

and must furnish at least one copy of his or her statement

and any supplementary materials directly to the Chairwoman

within one business day before the day of his or her

appearance unless waived by the Chairwoman.

Except when the committee adopts a motion pursuant to

subdivisions (B) and (C) of clause (2)(j)(2) of rule XI of

the rules of the House, committee members may question

witnesses only when they have been recognized by the

Chairwoman for that purpose, and only for a 5-minute period

until all members present have had an opportunity to question

a witness. The Chairwoman and the Ranking Member shall not be

subject to the 5-minute period limitation. For all other

Committee Members, the 5-minute period for questioning a

witness by any one member can be extended only with the

unanimous consent of all members present. The Chairwoman,

followed by the Ranking Minority Member and all other members

alternating between the majority and minority, shall initiate

the questioning of witnesses in both the full and

subcommittee hearings. The order for questioning by members

of each party shall be determined by the time in which the

member arrived at the hearing after the gavel has been

struck, with the first arriving having priority over members

of his or her party. If members arrive at the same time, then

seniority shall dictate the order.

In recognizing members to question witnesses, the

Chairwoman may take into consideration the ratio of majority

and minority members present in such a manner as not to

disadvantage the Members of either party. The Chairwoman, in

consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may decrease

the 5-minute time period in order to accommodate the needs of

all the Members present and the schedule of the witnesses.

7. SUBPOENAS

A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the committee in

the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations

or activities to require the attendance and testimony of such

witness and the production of such books, records,

correspondence, memoranda, papers and documents, as deemed

necessary. Such a subpoena shall be authorized by a majority

vote of the full committee. The requirement that the

authorization of a subpoena require a majority vote may be

waived by the Ranking Minority Member. The Chairwoman may

issue a subpoena, in consultation with the Ranking Minority

Member, when the House is out for more than three legislative

days.

8. QUORUM

No measure or recommendation shall be reported unless a

majority of the committee was actually present. For purposes

of taking testimony or receiving evidence, there shall be one

member from the majority and one member from the minority for

the purposes of a quorum. Such requirement shall be waived

for field hearings. For all other purposes, one-third of the

members (or 11 Members) shall constitute a quorum.

9. AMENDMENTS DURING MARK-UP

Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the

committee must be made available in written form when

requested by any member of the committee. If such amendment

is not available in written form when requested, the

Chairwoman shall allow an appropriate period for the

provision thereof.

10. POSTPONEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS

The Chairwoman in consultation with the Ranking Minority

Member may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is

ordered on the question of approving any measure or matter or

adopting an amendment. The Chairwoman may resume proceedings

postponed at any time, but no later than the next meeting

day. In exercising postponement authority, the Chairwoman

shall take all reasonable steps necessary to notify members

on the resumption of proceedings on any postponed recorded

vote. When proceedings resume on a postponed question,

notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous

question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to

further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the

question was postponed.

11. NUMBER AND JURISDICTION OF SUBCOMMITTEES

There will be five subcommittees as follows: Finance and

Tax (6 Democratic Members and 5 Republican Members);

Contracting and Technology (6 Democratic Members and 5

Republican Members); Regulations, Health Care, and Trade (8

Democratic Members and 7 Republican Members) Rural and Urban

Entrepreneurship (7 Democratic Members and 6 Republican

Members); Investigations and Oversight (4 Democratic Members

and 3 Republican Members).

During the 110th Congress, the Chairwoman and Ranking

Minority Member shall be ex officio members of all

subcommittees, without vote, and the full committee shall

have the authority to conduct oversight of all areas of the

committee's jurisdiction. In addition, all members of the

committee may participate in hearings of any subcommittee of

the committee. In addition to conducting oversight in the

area of their respective jurisdiction, each subcommittee

shall have the following jurisdiction:

Subcommittee on Finance and Tax

The Small Business Administration (SBA) Lending and

Investment programs: Section 7(a) loan program, 504 Certified

Development Company program, Small Business Investment

Company program, Disaster Loan Assistance programs, and

Microloan program; access to capital and finance issues

generally; and oversight over tax policy and retirement/

pension matters affecting small businesses.

Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology

SBA Contracting programs including the following: Section

8(a) Business Development program, Small Disadvantaged

Business SDB certification operated by SBA, Women's

Procurement Program, HUBZone program, Surety Bond program,

Service-disabled veteran procurement, and Section (7)(j)

management and technical assistance program. SBA Technology

programs: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program,

Small Business Technology Transfer program; oversight of

government-wide procurement practices and programs affecting

small businesses and oversight of technology and patent

issues.

Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care, and Trade

The Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Small Business

Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, and the Paperwork

Reduction Act; SBA's Office of Advocacy, National Ombudsman,

and SBA small business size standards; oversight of

regulations and regulatory issues that affect small

businesses; oversight of health care coverage issues;

oversight over issues affecting small health care providers;

and oversight of trade issues, including SBA's Office of

International Trade.

Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship

SBA entrepreneurial development programs: Women's Business

Centers, National Veterans Business Development Corporation,

Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Drug Free

Workplace program, Office of Women's Business Ownership, and

National Women's Business Council (NWBC).

New Markets Venture Capital (NMVC) program, New Markets Tax

Credit program, BusinessLiNC and the Program for Re-

Investment in Micro entrepreneurs.

General oversight of programs targeted toward urban and

rural economic growth as well as general federal government

entrepreneurial development programs; oversight of

agricultural issues; and oversight of energy issues.

Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight

Oversight of SBA Administration, Management, and Agency

Practices.

Oversight of activities by the Office of the Inspector

General at SBA.

12. COMMITTEE STAFF

(A) Majority Staff: The employees of the committee, except

those assigned to the minority as provided below, shall be

appointed and assigned, and may be removed by the Chairwoman.

The Chairwoman shall fix their remuneration, and they shall

be under the general supervision and direction of the

Chairwoman.

(B) Minority Staff: The employees of the committee assigned

to the minority shall be appointed and assigned, and their

remuneration determined, as the Ranking Minority Member of

the committee shall determine.

(C) Subcommittee Staff: The Chairwoman and Ranking Minority

Member of the full committee shall endeavor to ensure that

sufficient staff is made available to each subcommittee to

carry out its responsibilities under the rules of the

committee.

13. POWERS AND DUTIES OF SUBCOMMITTEES

Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings,

receive evidence, and report to the full committee on all

matters referred to it. Subcommittee chairmen shall set

meeting and hearing dates after approval of the Chairwoman of

the full committee. Meetings and hearings of subcommittees

shall not be scheduled to occur simultaneously with meetings

or hearings of the full committee.

14. RECORDS

The committee shall keep a complete record of all actions,

which shall include a record of the votes on any question on

which a record vote is demanded. The result of each

subcommittee record vote, together with a description of the

matter voted upon, shall promptly be made available to the

full committee. A record of such votes shall be made

available for inspection by the public at reasonable times in

the offices of the committee.

The committee shall keep a complete record of all committee

and subcommittee activity which, in the case of any meeting

or hearing transcript, shall include a substantially verbatim

account of remarks actually made during the proceedings,

subject only to technical, grammatical, and typographical

corrections authorized by the person making the remarks

involved.

The records of the committee at the National Archives and

Records Administration shall be made available in accordance

with rule VII of the Rules of the House. The Chairwoman of

the full committee shall notify the Ranking Minority

Member of the full committee of any decision, pursuant to

clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of rule VII of the House, to

withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter

shall be presented to the committee for a determination of

the written request of any member of the committee.

15. ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION

Access to classified or sensitive information supplied to

the committee and attendance at closed sessions of the

committee or its subcommittees shall be limited to members

and necessary committee staff and stenographic reporters who

have appropriate security clearance when the Chairwoman

determines that such access or attendance is essential to the

functioning of the committee.

The procedures to be followed in granting access to those

hearings, records, data, charts, and files of the committee

which involve classified information or information deemed to

be sensitive shall be as follows:

(A) Only Members of the House of Representatives and

specifically designated committee staff of the Committee on

Small Business may have access to such information.

(B) Members who desire to read materials that are in the

possession of the committee should notify the clerk of the

committee.

(C) The clerk will maintain an accurate access log, which

identifies the circumstances surrounding access to the

information, without revealing the material examined.

(D) If the material desired to be reviewed is material

which the committee or subcommittee deems to be sensitive

enough to require special handling, before receiving access

to such information, individuals will be required to sign an

access information sheet acknowledging such access and that

the individual has read and understands the procedures under

which access is being granted.

(E) Material provided for review under this rule shall not

be removed from a specified room within the committee

offices.

(F) Individuals reviewing materials under this rule shall

make certain that the materials are returned to the proper

custodian.

(G) No reproductions or recordings may be made of any

portion of such materials.

(H) The contents of such information shall not be divulged

to any person in any way, form, shape, or manner, and shall

not be discussed with any person who has not received the

information in an authorized manner.

(I) When not being examined in the manner described herein,

such information will be kept in secure safes or locked file

cabinets in the committee offices.

(J) These procedures only address access to information the

committee or a subcommittee deems to be sensitive enough to

require special treatment.

(K) If a member of the House of Representatives believes

that certain sensitive information should not be restricted

as to dissemination or use, the member may petition the

committee or subcommittee to so rule. With respect to

information and materials provided to the committee by the

executive branch, the classification of information and

materials as determined by the executive branch shall prevail

unless affirmatively changed by the committee or the

subcommittee involved, after consultation with the

appropriate executive agencies.

(L) Other materials in the possession of the committee are

to be handled in accordance with the normal practices and

traditions of the committee.

16. OTHER PROCEDURES

The Chairwoman of the full committee may establish such

other procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to

carry out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective

operation of the committee.

17. AMENDMENTS TO COMMITTEE RULES

The rules of the committee may be modified, amended or

repealed by a majority of the members, at a meeting

specifically called for such purpose, but only if written

notice of the proposed change has been provided to each such

member at least 3 days before the time of the meeting.

18. BUDGET AND TRAVEL

(A) From the amount provided to the Committee in the

primary expense resolution adopted by the U.S. House of

Representatives for the 110th Congress, the Chairwoman, after

consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall

designate one-third of the budget under the direction of the

Ranking Minority Member for the purposes of minority staff,

travel expenses of minority staff and members, and minority

office expenses.

(B) The Chairwoman may authorize travel in connection with

activities or subject matters under the general jurisdiction

of the Committee.

(C) The Ranking Minority Member may authorize travel for

any minority member or minority committee staff member in

connection with activities or subject matters under the

general jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such travel,

there shall be submitted to the Chairwoman in writing the

following at least seven calendar days prior: (a) The purpose

of the travel; (b) The dates during which the travel is to

occur; (c) The names of the States or countries to be visited

and the length of time spent in each; and (d) The names of

members and staff of the committee participating in such

travel.

At the conclusion of such travel, a summary of the activity

and its accomplishments shall be provided to the Chairwoman

within ten calendar days.

19. COMMITTEE WEBSITE

The Chairwoman shall maintain an official Committee website

for the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and

oversight responsibilities, including communicating

information about the Committee's activities to Committee

members and other Members of the House. The Ranking Minority

Members may maintain a similar website for the same purpose,

including communicating information about the activities of

the minority to Committee members and other Members of the

House.

20. VICE CHAIR

Pursuant to House Rules, the Chairwoman shall designate a

member of the majority party to serve as Vice Chairman of the

Committee. The Vice Chairman shall preside at any meeting or

hearing during the temporary absence of the Chairwoman. If

the Chairwoman and Vice Chairman are not present at any

meeting or hearing, the ranking member of the majority who is

present shall preside at the meeting or hearing.

Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and enter into the Record any extraneous materials on the bill under consideration.

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

Mr. Chairman, in recent years, the Federal marketplace has seen phenomenal growth. However, while procurement opportunities are increasing, agencies are failing to meet their small business, women, service-disabled veterans, minority and low-income contracting goals. This has not only cost small businesses billions of dollars in lost opportunities but deprives the government of a valuable supplier.

Our Nation's entrepreneurs play an important role in the procurement system, providing diversity, competition, and ensuring we get the best value for the taxpayers' dollar. To help them get a start, there is an array of contributing programs offering technical assistance, purchasing flexibility and targeted benefits. Unfortunately, due to legislative neglect, under funding and mismanagement by several administrations, the programs have fallen far short of their full potential, leaving many small businesses outside of the Federal marketplace.

The Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act, introduced by myself and Representative Mary Fallin, will change that by making important improvements to women, minority, HUBZone and service-disabled veteran contracting programs. H.R. 3867 will immediately implement the Women's Procurement Program that has languished in the current administration's endless delays. It also updates the economic criteria for the 8(a) program, reflecting current fiscal realities. The last time Congress addressed the 8(a) program was almost 20 years ago, when a gallon of gas was 90 cents and the average cost of a home was less than $90,000. For too long we have forced minority businesses to operate under antiquated financial standards that in many cases were simply setting them up to fail.

Most importantly, this legislation will give our service-disabled veterans top priority when it comes to contracting. For those men and women returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, many with life-altering injuries, this bill will provide the tools to start a new endeavor and begin a new life. These changes would go a long way to addressing many of the program's shortcomings that have frustrated our Nation's small business owners.

Mr. Chairman, H.R. 3867 also fights fraud in the Federal marketplace. Contracting opportunities are a privilege, not a right. The Small Business Contracting Improvement Act makes that clear. For the first time, we are imposing a business code of conduct on all participants, requiring the Federal Government to verify that individuals are who they claim and empowering small firms to police their own programs. This will restore integrity to these critical programs.

Through modernizing programs and increasing accountability, H.R. 3867 brings SBA's contracting programs into the 21st century. It is for this reason that this legislation has attracted remarkably broad support, including the National Federation of Independent Business, the Associated General Contractors, the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, the International Franchise Association, as well as the National Defense Industrial Association and the Aerospace Industries Association.

This is a measured approach that balances the need to give program flexibility within the realities of current agency buying strategies. It is good for small business, good for the agency, and, most importantly, good for taxpayers.

I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to a member of the Small Business Committee, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak).

Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke), a member of the committee and a cosponsor of the bill, for 2 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Reyes), an original cosponsor of the legislation and chairman of the Intelligence Committee.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. Baca), chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus.

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

Mr. Chairman, I yield to Mrs. Tubbs Jones from Ohio, the chairwoman of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, 2 minutes.

Mr. Chairman, I have no further speakers and I am prepared to close if the gentleman is prepared to close.

Mr. Chairman, the improvements made under H.R. 3867 are commonsense changes that would modernize and increase program accountability. Coupled with the sweeping reform the House passed earlier this year to our procurement system, this bill will have an immediate impact on every facet of the small business community, including women, minorities and service-disabled veterans.

It is for these reasons H.R. 3867 has some of the most diverse support of any bill coming out of the committee this year, ranging from small business trade groups including NFIB, the International Franchise Association and the Associated General Contractors to minority advocates such as the Black, Hispanic and Women's Chambers of Commerce. It also has the support of veterans groups, including the American Legion, VFW and AMVETS, as well as Aerospace Industries Association and the National Defense Industrial Association.

With the passage of H.R. 3867, we increase opportunities for entrepreneurs to become valuable suppliers to the Federal Government, recognizing their contribution to the economy.

I just would like to take a moment to thank the staff that worked on this legislation: from the Small Business Committee majority staff, Adam Minehardt, LeAnn Delaney and Michael Day; from the minority staff, Barry Pinclis and Kevin Fitzpatrick; and Nate Webb from Ms. Fallin's staff.

I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3867, Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act.

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

Mr. Chairman, I offer an amendment.

Mr. Chairman, this amendment makes changes to the underlying bill to address outstanding issues in the bill. It ensures those veterans that are most severely disabled will have access to contracts. It also strengthens the business integrity standard and creates parameters to carry out the women's procurement program.

Probably the most critical change in this amendment is the priority created for severely disabled veterans. The underlying bill already ensures that service-disabled veterans have greater access to contracts, but this takes it a step further.

It provides that agencies who are carrying out the service-disabled veteran contracting program give special consideration to those returning entrepreneurs that have the most serious of injuries. It is simply the right thing to do for all these soldiers have given for their country.

This amendment also provides taxpayers with greater protection by making certain the SBA performs criminal background checks prior to entering a program. It provides that those with criminal convictions are presumed to lack the business integrity required for participation.

Finally, we worked with the minority to create a more workable standard for allowing the SBA to carry out the women's procurement program. This amendment specifies the industries that the Rand Corporation determined, in accordance with direction from the National Academies of Sciences, were underrepresented by women businesses.

These measures will strengthen the bill to ensure a variety of deserving small businesses have better access to Federal contracts.

I urge adoption of the amendment.

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

Mr. Chairman, I just want to thank the gentleman from Ohio for working with me on this amendment. I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield back my time.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleague from Missouri, a member of the Small Business Committee, for offering this amendment. I share the gentleman's concern about the concentration of contracts in the 8(a) program.

In fact, these businesses are only in the program for 9 years, so it is important that they make that time count. Unfortunately, according to partial year data for 2006, the top 10 companies received 40 percent of the work; 93 percent of companies received no contracts.

The gentleman's amendment requires the SBA to conduct a study to determine how best to provide additional contracting help to these less successful 8(a) participants. I appreciate his interest in the 8(a) program and his willingness to work with us to find a solution to a long-standing program.

I agree with my colleague that, while a more successful firm is apt to receive more work than a less experienced company, the purpose of the program is business development. Given this, the SBA needs to provide increased contractual assistance to the companies that need it the most.

The gentleman's amendment would allow us additional time to work together to craft a solution to ensure that 8(a) businesses, regardless of their financial strength, will be able to earn contracts. I look forward to working with the gentleman to perfect this language, and I appreciate his cooperation.

We are prepared to accept this amendment, and I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments he may have.

Mr. Chairman, I urge support of this amendment.

Mr. Chairman, 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, it is becoming increasingly concerning that companies may be receiving HUBZone contracting preferences inappropriately.

Since 2003, the SBA Inspector General has released two reports identifying the potential for contracting fraud in this program. Most recently, in 2006, the IG has found that more than 80 percent of companies are not eligible 3 years after they were approved. In nearly 20 States, we have identified multimillion dollar properties in areas designated as HUBZone. If a company located in one of these zones employed people who lived in similar conditions, they would be eligible for contracting preferences over small businesses.

The gentleman's amendment addresses the issue that some areas of the country are designated HUBZone. That should not be. At the same time, this will also require the SBA to examine why some deserving areas are not being designated appropriately. To resolve this inconsistency, the amendment requires the SBA to carry out a study that includes recommendations for alternative ways to evaluate HUBZone eligibility.

There is no rational reason why some of the most affluent areas in the country are eligible for government contracting preferences, while truly deserving areas are overlooked.

We are prepared to accept this amendment, and I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments he may have.

Mr. Chairman, I urge support of this amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I reserve the right to object.

I am surprised that the gentleman is withdrawing his amendment since I was prepared to accept the amendment. I think this is a problem that needs to be addressed. I am willing to work with the gentleman to address this issue.

Mr. Chairman, I withdraw my reservation.

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

The gentleman's amendment reflects a sense of the House that laws requiring competition among only small businesses should apply to the General Services Administration's Federal supply schedules.

The GSA consistently points to nearly 80 percent of contracts under schedules going to small businesses. The reality is that as far as dollars, small firms get less than 40 percent. With the exception of the GSA schedules, every agency must ensure that small businesses are the priority for contracts valued at more than $2,500 and less than $100,000. Even when the GSA enters into a contract itself, not using the schedules, the SBA statute applies.

Recently, the GSA's general counsel has pointed to a conflict between the statute that authorizes the Federal supply schedules and the SBA statute. Because Congress has not spoken to the contradiction, GSA relies on its own interpretation.

GSA schedules represent billions of dollars in contracting opportunities that simply aren't available to small firms because of the GSA's incorrect interpretation of the statute. The gentleman's amendment will provide a direction that is missing between these conflicting statutes, an issue to be supported. Not only will small businesses see increased dollars as a result; taxpayers will receive lower costs due to the flexibility and efficiency that small firms are able to offer.

Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to accept this amendment, and I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments he may have.

I urge support for this amendment and I yield back the balance of my time.

Yes.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank the gentleman for offering this amendment.

Certainly, frivolous litigation is a problem in any scenario. Our justice system is a valuable tool for the good-faith settling of claims, but it is costly and time consuming, and should never be used for purposes other than what was originally intended. If incumbent contractors are, in fact, using the bid process size protest mechanisms to extend the length of contracts, this problem needs to be addressed.

Small businesses face enough barriers in their efforts to enter the Federal marketplace. Having to fight frivolous lawsuits should not be one of them. If businesses, particularly mega-contractors, are using their position to prevent qualified contractors from doing Federal work by exploiting a loophole, the American taxpayer loses out.

The gentleman's amendment addresses this issue by requiring a study to determine the number of relevant protests, the financial impact on small businesses, and recommendations for solving any problems discovered.

The protest process was designed to create due process, not to create unfair advantages. This study will help to determine if there is a problem that needs to be further addressed.

I appreciate the gentleman bringing attention to this small business barrier, and although frivolous lawsuits can be devastating for anyone in the business community, it can be a particular burden for smaller companies. Adding litigation costs to an already limited cash flow is unrealistic for many small businesses, and I will be interested to see if this is what they're being forced to do.

It would allow our committee to fully understand if further changes are needed.

We are prepared to accept this amendment, Mr. Chairman, and I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments he may have.

Mr. Chairman, I urge support of this amendment, and I yield back.

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

Mr. Chairman, the gentleman's amendment requires the SBA to review who should be considered socially disadvantaged for entry into the 8(a) program and whether there should be any updates.

Prior to today, the last Congressional action on the 8(a) program took place in 1988. For nearly 20 years, the 8(a) program has not seen one significant change. One aspect of the program, social disadvantage, has also remained unchanged.

My colleague's amendment recognizes that our country in 2007 does not look like it did in 1988. The face of America is changing. The 8(a) program must reflect the new look of the Nation.

This amendment addresses the concern that in several years the SBA has not reviewed or expanded who is considered socially disadvantaged. Given this, deserving business owners are likely being shut out.

We also know, as members of the committee, that without definite direction the SBA is unlikely to act, let alone in a timely fashion. The gentleman's amendment will ensure that the SBA examines the issue and makes changes, as appropriate, within 6 months.

We are prepared, Mr. Chairman, to accept this amendment, and I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments that he might have.

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, the amendment offered by Ms. Ginny Brown-Waite seeks to ensure that taxpayer dollars go to small businesses that are complying with our immigration laws and not benefiting those that are breaking these laws.

While currently the Small Business Administration's Act prohibits the use of funds to benefit or assist individuals that are not lawfully within the United States, this change would allow for greater accountability. Creating a liaison between the Small Business Administration and the Department of Homeland Security on this matter will increase oversight and ensure that the agency's budget is being spent lawfully, efficiently and responsibly.

I also am grateful to have an ally in fighting this administration's efforts to reduce resources at the Small Business Administration. The fact is that the Small Business Administration needs personnel in carrying out this provision, as well as other critical operations.

We share the goal of ensuring that no funds expended under the Small Business Contracting Programs Improvement Act are used in such a manner. Sometimes having a law on the books isn't enough, and this amendment will go a step further in making sure that someone is there at the SBA actively enforcing this important spending provision.

We are prepared to accept this amendment, Mr. Chairman, and now I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments he may have.

Mr. Chairman, 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 want to thank my colleague from New York for her amendment to ensure that Federal contractors are complying with the immigration laws of our Nation. I would like to ensure that the interpretation of the debarment provisions referenced in the gentlewoman's amendment are consistent with the debarment process as provided in the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Mr. Chairman, small businesses face many obstacles in securing a workforce, and one of them is ensuring that their employees have the proper legal status. All of our employers are expected to comply with our immigration laws, and they should not be forced to compete in the Federal marketplace with those who are skirting these laws. Small businesses should be rewarded for ensuring that their employees are here legally.

My colleague's amendment ensures that no contractor who has a pattern of knowingly employing unauthorized workers will receive contracts under the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act. Furthermore, contractors found to be in violation of the employment provisions required under immigration law will face the possibility of debarment.

Participation in SBA's procurement programs is a privilege and not a right. As such, we expect participants to uphold the law. Those businesses that choose not to comply should not receive the benefits of SBA contract assistance.

I appreciate the gentlewoman's attention to this issue and commitment to ensuring that contractors who choose to violate immigration law will not benefit from it. While there may be disagreement on reforming our immigration system, we all agree that employers must comply with those laws that are on the books. This is simply a matter of fairness.

We are prepared to accept the amendment, and I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments he may have.

Mr. Chairman, I urge support 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.

Mr. Chairman, I want to thank my colleague from Texas for his amendment.

Fiscal responsibility is a serious issue, and so is running an effective government. As we are currently operating with a budget deficit, we must do all we can to eradicate wasteful spending. Many times we focus on larger issues of waste and abuse and forget about the smaller problems that would be easier to solve. When we cut costs, even just a little, it can add up to big savings.

The SBA has consistently been asked to do more with less. Placing these restrictions on SBA funds will reduce unnecessary spending, giving the agency more money to use to truly assist small businesses. An agency already operating with less than its ideal budget should not be spending crucial funds on premium travel.

I appreciate the gentleman's attention to this issue and his effort to increase accountability in our government and require responsible spending decisions.

Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to accept this amendment, and I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments he may have.

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

I am.

Mr. Speaker, this is simple. This motion to recommit will take away contracts from veterans with service disabilities.

At this time, I would like to submit for the Record a letter from the American Legion that clearly states, ``We steadfastly oppose any amendments to alter the legislation's provisions that assist veteran- owned businesses in section 101.''

The American Legion,

Washington, DC, October 17, 2007.

Hon. Nydia M. Velazquez,

Chairwoman, House Committee on Small Business,

Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairwoman Velazquez: On behalf of the 2.7 million

members of The American Legion I am writing to strongly

endorse the Small Business Contracting Program Improvements

Act, which is scheduled for markup in the Committee on Small

Business as early as this week. Further, we steadfastly

oppose any amendments to alter the legislation's provisions

that assist veteran-owned businesses in section 101.

Recently, the entrepreneurial needs of America's veterans

have been brought to the forefront, particularly those that

have sustained a disability as a result of their active-duty

service in the armed forces. With nearly a quarter of newly

discharged veterans considering starting their own

businesses, the importance of opening the federal marketplace

to veterans, who are entrepreneurs, has never before been so

important.

Unfortunately, there has been no appreciable progress

toward meeting the three percent service-connected disabled

veterans' government-wide contracting goal. Federal agencies

have fallen well short, accomplishing levels of only 0.2

percent in 2003; 0.4 percent in 2004; 0.6 percent in 2005;

and 0.9 percent in 2006. As a result, Congress must take

stronger action.

We are pleased that the Small Business Contracting Program

Improvements Act takes the clear and compelling action

necessary to ensure that veterans receive their fair share of

federal contracting opportunities. This legislation will

result in increases to contracts awarded to veteran-owned

companies. As the veterans' community continues to grow, the

time is now to enact this important initiative.

We thank you, Chairwoman Velazquez, for introducing this

legislation and we applaud the Committee for moving this

measure in an expeditious manner. The American Legion looks

forward to working with the Committee on this and future

legislation to assist this country's small businesses.

Sincerely,

James E. Koutz,

Chairman, National Economic Commission.

The ranking member knows that this amendment was introduced in the committee's markup and it was defeated 16-8.

Further, let me say that the underlying bill ensures that service- disabled veterans are given a preference in seeking Federal contracts. These individuals have consistently been shut out of the Federal contracts. Despite a 3 percent service-disabled veteran contracting goal since 1999, the highest accomplishment is less than 1 percent. These men and women have served our country, and they deserve better.

If the motion to recommit is adopted, and I want to make this clear, if this motion to recommit is adopted, veterans will no longer be a top priority. There will be no guarantee that service-disabled veterans will benefit from additional contracting opportunities. Instead, we would have competing programs, which is what we tried in this bill to rid ourselves of. Agencies will be more inclined to overlook disabled veterans in their award for sole source contracts.

And also, I would like to add for the Record, that this type of change is opposed by the American Legion, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, and the Associated General Contractors.

This motion will block business opportunity for service-disabled veterans. The American Legion opposed this motion, and we agree that this motion to recommit will be making it harder for veterans to secure Federal contracts.

You know, these are men and women coming back to our country from Afghanistan and Iraq. These are injured, service-disabled veterans who deserve the support of the American public and our Federal Government.

I ask Members to oppose this motion to recommit. As I mentioned, it was defeated 16-8 in the markup. This is merely an attempt at a second bite of the apple, and it should be defeated.

I would yield.

Let me just say to the gentleman that I don't know why you insist this section 101 to be stricken when you clearly know that this amendment was defeated in committee, not by Democrats, but Democrats and Republicans. It is opposed by every veteran organization in America.

Again, it will take Federal contracting away from disabled veterans. You know that we have failed these veterans before, and what we are doing is making sure that they have an opportunity to get a fair share of Federal contracts.

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross- references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 3867.

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and insert into the Record extraneous material on the bill to be considered.

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

Mr. Chairman, venture capital is the life blood of our Nation's small businesses. Venture capital not only serves as the raw material for economic growth and job creation, but also acts as fuel for the pursuit of new ideas and innovation. Without it, businesses cannot expand, and even the best ideas wither and die in what has come to be known as the ``Valley of Death'' between setup and commercialization. Clearly, our Nation's 26 million entrepreneurs depend upon this resource, and yet despite its obvious importance, venture capital remains elusive to the vast majority of small businesses.

The Small Business Investment Expansion Act of 2007 is a bipartisan effort introduced by Mr. Altmire and Mr. Graves. This legislation signifies our commitment to helping small businesses receive the venture capital that is vital to economic growth, innovation and job creation; and I rise in support of this bill.

Perhaps no Federal agency is better positioned to meet the challenges of small business investment than the Small Business Administration. Since 1958, the SBA's investment programs have helped hundreds of small businesses and have contributed to the success of several of our Nation's notable companies, including Apple Computer, Federal Express, Staples, and Costco. Unfortunately, the SBA's programs have suffered the effects of mismanagement, flat funding and neglect in recent years. By the SBA's own estimates, the total unmet need for early-stage equity financing for small businesses is approximately $60 billion each year. Additionally, it has been identified that the greatest equity capital financing need of small businesses is financing in the amount of $250,000 to $5 million.

While new investment strategies possess the potential to make a significant

impact on unmet capital needs of start-up businesses, they have not been fully leveraged for the benefit of our Nation's entrepreneurs. The new market's venture capital program has also not achieved its full potential. And perhaps most notably, unreasonable and outdated policies are still in use, and they restrict the free flow of venture capital and other forms of investment to small firms.

This policy has had an obvious impact on the ability of new businesses to access venture capital. Over the past 5 years, there has been a steady shift of venture capital away from newly formed businesses toward later-stage businesses. In 2002, the SBA licensed 41 new SBIC funds, more than half of which focus on investment in early- stage businesses. By contrast, in 2006, the SBA licensed only 10 new SBIC funds, none of which were for investment in early-stage businesses.

The Small Business Investment Expansion Act of 2007 represents an important step toward revitalizing SBA's investment mission. This legislation features a renewed focus on providing equity capital to startup firms and businesses in low-income areas, two key sectors of the small business community that have continued to face particularly high barriers to securing venture capital. The bill will also establish a new Angel Investment Program to fill the gap in seed capital that was created by the elimination of the participating securities program.

H.R. 3567 touches on all aspects of the SBA's investment mission, including the SBA's surety bonding program. This bill will provide much-needed updates to this program and will introduce initiatives aimed at increasing the number of businesses and bonding companies that participate in the program. Our small businesses have always been the incubators of innovation, and investment has been the fuel for this great engine of American economic development. As we continue to rely on entrepreneurs to spur economic growth and create jobs, the need for venture capital will only continue to grow. This legislation ensures that small businesses will have the resources they need to remain competitive and successful while ensuring that SBA's programs are the premier source for small business capital.

For these reasons, H.R. 3567 has the support of the National Venture Capital Association, the Value Technology Industry Organization, the Surety and Fidelity Association of America and the American Insurance Association.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for the Small Business Expansion Act of 2007, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 5 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire). He is the chairman of the Small Business Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight and the leading sponsor of this bill.

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

Mr. Chairman, I would like to say to the gentleman, Mr. Graves, thank you so much for the work that you have done with the committee to work in a bipartisan manner to address the issues that are important to small businesses in this country. Your input and collaboration in putting together this legislation is greatly appreciated.

Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Ryan).

Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Woolsey) for the purpose of entering into a colloquy.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlewoman from California for bringing up these concerns. The Small Business Committee is a champion of small business and, as such, has strong protections built into this bill to prevent large corporations and venture capital firms from unfairly benefiting from Federal small business contracts.

You will be pleased to know that eligible VCs cannot have more than 500 employees, they cannot be controlled by a large corporation, and they must be based in the United States. In addition, an amendment by Mr. Chabot has been made in order under the rule that will even further strengthen these protections by adding a requirement that no VC can own more than 50 percent of any eligible small business.

I am confident that these provisions will protect the intent of this bill and prevent large corporations or venture capital firms from taking advantage of these programs.

I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Washington (Mr. Inslee).

Mr. Chairman, I just would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff that worked on this bill. From Mr. Altmire's office, Cara Toman; from Mr. Graves' office, Paul Sass; and from the minority staff, Barry Pineless. From the majority, I would like to thank Adam Minehardt and Andy Jiminez.

Mr. Chairman, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for the Small Business Investment Expansion Act of 2007.

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

Mr. Chairman, in developing this legislation, we worked very closely with the ranking member to try and address his concerns with this bill. I understand that he has some remaining concerns with title V of the bill. I am confident, however, that the legislation we have reported includes adequate safeguards.

The ranking member's amendment will provide further protections. I thank him for working with us to perfect this bill. I am willing to accept his amendment, which provides an additional level of clarification and direction for the agency. I appreciate his time and patience in working through this complicated issue with us.

Mr. Chairman, I would yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire), the main sponsor of the bill.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman from Ohio, and I urge adoption of his amendment.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise to claim the time in opposition to the motion to recommit.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to ask the gentleman from Michigan: What bill did you read? Did you read H.R. 3567? Did you? Because if you read the bill, I want to ask you, show me in this bill where one single penny will go to millionaires? Show me in the bill where that happens?

It goes to small businesses in low-income communities. It goes to veterans. It goes to small businesses. If the goal is to cut access to capital, that is what this motion will do.

One of the primary goals of this program is to put capital in the hands of veterans and entrepreneurs. This amendment will bar entrepreneurs from such funds. It will invest in startups that could become the next Microsoft. They are not there yet. They are small, small businesses.

We always hear how we need to be doing more to encourage investment. This program does exactly that. This is not a new program, it merely fixes an old program that has been badly mismanaged by this administration. The total cost of this program is half of what the other party said when it was in charge. This is a 3-year pilot program, and all funding remains subject to the application. The Federal Government will actually have less risk under the angel investment program than any other current government programs. And when we talk about being stewards of the taxpayers' money, profits from this investment go right back to the taxpayers.

Mr. Speaker, I ask Members to oppose the motion to recommit.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 3567, to include corrections in spelling, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2992) to amend the Small Business Act to improve trade programs, 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 such time as I may consume.

International trade is a key part of our economic future, and competition in the global marketplace will only increase in the years to come. Consequently, our country is facing many decisions concerning how we will engage in transnational commerce. To utilize resources effectively and secure our industry's leadership, it is critical that the Nation's trade strategy incorporates a key source of innovation in world markets, small businesses.

I want to thank Representative Hall for introducing this legislation. He has been a strong supporter of trade policies that will benefit all Americans.

Small businesses that generate and develop new products have shown that they can lead the way in building entire industries. They represent virtually all of the country's exporting firms, improving our trade balance and introducing U.S. products to consumers across the world. With all of their success, these firms still face barriers to maintaining domestic and international markets. As a result, although the entrepreneurs are nearly 100 percent of export firms, they generate less than one-third of revenues from these activities.

Given their contributions, it is critical that entrepreneurs are considered in the Nation's trade strategy and that obstacles to their competitiveness are removed. By enhancing the Small Business Administration's focus to reflect the international-oriented demands of small businesses, H.R. 2992 will ensure that entrepreneurs are able to effectively incorporate trade into their business strategy.

The SBA Trade Programs Act of 2007 will provide small firms with a comprehensive set of tools to thrive in a marketplace without borders. It will assist them to overcome trade barriers by enhancing their access to export financing, counseling and technical assistance programs. The SBA's mandate is also expanded to ensure entrepreneurs participate on a level playing field as they face global competition.

To make certain that small businesses have access to newly opened world markets, H.R. 2992 requires the agencies to incorporate entrepreneurs' interests into trade policies and plans. The bill increases trade finance resources and the size of international trade loans which will facilitate small exporters' overseas transactions. These improvements will help to ensure that the Nation's trade promotion strategy supports, and benefits from, U.S. small businesses.

Small firms play a crucial role in promoting the global competitiveness of our country's industries. Including them in the development of the U.S. trade policy will support the growth of the Nation's economy, as well as to reduce the trade deficit. Effective trade strategies, enforcement assistance, and export promotion resources will ensure small businesses contribute to maintaining the Nation's global leadership. Doing so will guarantee that benefits of free trade are more widely distributed to not only businesses but also more of our Nation's communities.

I strongly urge support of this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield to one of the bill's original cosponsors, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak), who is also the vice-Chair of the Small Business Committee, as much time as he may consume.

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

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Ms. Sutton) as much time as she may consume.

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

Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers.

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

I just would like to say that Representative Hall's legislation, the SBA Trade Programs Act of 2007, promotes the competitiveness of small businesses in the global economy, assists them in adjusting to economic dislocations, and makes certain their needs are represented in U.S. trade policies.

Due to the increasing global pressures upon small businesses, this modernization initiative has been widely supported. The legislation has been endorsed by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Exporter Association, the National Small Business Association, and the Precision Metalforming Association.

I would like to conclude by thanking the staff that worked on this legislation, from the Small Business Committee, Nicole Witenstein, Michael Day, and Adam Minehardt; and from Mr. Sestak's staff, Clarence Tong.

In conclusion, I would like to thank Congressman Hall and the cosponsors for this timely bill. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for the SBA Trade Programs Act of 2007.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3020) to amend the Small Business Act to improve the Microloan program, 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.

Small businesses create three out of four new jobs and account for almost half of our country's income. But that is only part of the story. The opportunities through business ownership are

limited only by our own imagination and ability. Each year, 700,000 men, women and children follow the dream of entrepreneurship.

The vast majority of our businesses are very small. Over 50 percent of all businesses are home based. Most get started without a single employee. But with hard work, that changes. Ultimately, half the people who work in this country now work for small businesses.

Small businesses are flexible and more likely to adapt to changes in the economy. They have to be nimble to survive. So if there is one thing we have learned, it is that helping these small businesses start up and grow provides a significant benefit for our local and national economy.

One of the best methods devised to encourage start-up small businesses is the small microcredit loan. The SBA Microloan Program makes funds available to nonprofit community-based lenders. In turn, these lenders make small loans to eligible borrowers who are often individual fledgling entrepreneurs that live in the same community where they work.

The Microloan Amendments and Modernization Act introduced by my colleague, the ranking member on our committee, Mr. Chabot, improves an already strong program. It will increase the number of lenders and borrowers that will be able to get involved in creating new businesses and help put people in their communities to work. It also encourages credit reporting so that the excellent repayment history of its participants is recorded to their benefit.

Finally, the bill takes steps to strengthen the PRIME program, a key initiative that provides counseling to low-income entrepreneurs.

Since its inception in 1992, the Microloan Program has been reaching many that otherwise would not be served by the private sector or even the SBA's traditional loan programs. The type of people that use the Microloan Program are borrowers that may be unable to get a loan from traditional sources due to no credit rating or a lack of business experience.

By filling this void, microloans have become an important source of assistance for groups who traditionally have had more difficulty accessing capital. These loans fulfill the goal of widely distributing resources, as roughly one third are made in rural areas. It is for these reasons that the program complements the successes of President Clinton's New Market Initiative. Microloans are a low-cost effective way to move people off welfare and turn them into business owners and even employers. There have been only two defaults to the government since the program's inception, and tens of thousands of jobs retained and created. This is a great bargain for the taxpayers.

With that, I urge the House to vote for the Microloan Program and this legislation.

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

Mr. Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member for introducing this important piece of legislation, and I also want to thank the staff that worked on this legislation, from the minority staff, Barbara Pineles; from the majority staff, Ross Orban, Michael Day, Adam Minehardt and Andy Jimenez.

I strongly urge my colleagues to support the Microloan Program.

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

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

I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of H.R. 3221. I am proud to sponsor this legislation as it moves this country closer toward energy independence amidst the needs of this Nation's entrepreneurs.

Small businesses are dramatically impacted by rising energy costs. According to a recent study conducted by the National Small Business Association, 93 percent of small business owners anticipate negative consequences to their businesses because of higher energy prices.

This bill includes numerous measures to help small businesses cope with these challenges. Many of these provisions offered by Mr. Shuler of our committee were designed to address the entrepreneurs' role not only as consumers but also as suppliers of energy.

It contains key initiatives to increase energy efficiency. With enhanced loan guarantees and lower fees on Small Business Administration loans, more small businesses will be able to purchase energy efficient technology.

The bill also requires the SBA to develop a national strategy for educating small firms about energy efficiency.

H.R. 3221 will encourage the creation of new energy efficient technologies and increase production of renewable fuels. Small businesses are the primary leaders in renewable fuels sectors, already making up more than 75 percent of biofuel producers. It creates private equity investment companies specifically for the purpose of funding renewable fuel production.

This legislation is the giant step forward in increasing the supply of energy while also creating smart usage. By voting for this bill, we can reduce energy usage and greenhouse gas emissions, all while making sure our economy is moving in the right direction.

I commend the leadership on this important bill, and I urge its immediate passage.

I reserve the balance of my time.

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

I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Chairman, Chairman Peterson and I agreed that I would not offer an amendment based on our mutual support for the amendment's purpose. I want to thank Chairman Peterson for his leadership on H.R. 2419, and I would like to enter into a short colloquy with Chairman Peterson.

This farm bill is critical for our economy, good nutrition, our small businesses, and it does a lot for underserved populations too. Low- income and minority communities suffer disproportionately from the lack of fresh fruits and vegetables.

In many neighborhoods of New York and across the country where farmers markets are scarce, corner stores are the only place residents shop for their weekly groceries. Unfortunately, due to the limitation of space and many obstacles, many of these stores cannot offer fresh produce and other healthy foods.

Farmers markets and other non-conventional fruit retail sites are essential and play a large role in bringing our communities nutritious food. But without simple and critical technologies, farmers markets are unable to serve low-income consumers. That is why I strongly support expanding wireless electronic benefit transfers. These EBT debit machines allow food stamp consumers to use their resources for fresher, healthier foods. Wireless EBTs are especially crucial for low-income consumers to use.

Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for doing that. That is important not only to provide fresh fruit and produce, but also to fight obesity and other diseases in our country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2956. We must support and protect our troops, and the best way to do that is to bring them home.

The American people want the troops out of harm's way. The White House has not met its own benchmarks, and with this resolution, the Iraqi leaders, for once, will know that we mean business.

Mr. Speaker, the pain and suffering felt because of this war is unconscionable. New York has lost over a 150 brave young souls; yet, for this President, there's no ending to this war.

There is a smarter way. Under H.R. 2956, our troops start to come home in 120 days. Over 70 percent of Americans want us out of Iraq. Democracy is about elected officials listening to the people. Democracy is what we are trying to teach Iraqis, how to run their own democracy. By voting to bring our troops home, we can show them.

The American people want this war to be over. Put your faith and trust in them. Choose democracy. Choose a way forward. Vote for this resolution.

Madam Chairman, I offer an amendment.

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

Madam Chairman, let me first commend Chairman Frank and Chairwoman Waters for their leadership in moving this necessary reform forward. They led the Financial Services Committee through a healthy but complicated series of issues and produced a bill that truly improves the section 8 program.

Section 8 is the Nation's largest low-income housing program. It currently enables more than 2 million low-income families to fulfill the basic needs of shelter. We should strive to help more people find safe and decent housing. That is why this bill includes 100,000 new vouchers over the next 5 years. It is critical that we support this bipartisan work that transitions people out of poverty.

Keeping people safe is at the heart of my amendment, which may seem minor, but provides important eviction and privacy protection for victims of domestic violence who live in section 8 housing. Let us not allow domestic violence victims to fall through the cracks.

It does this by ensuring that residents are not evicted simply because they are victims of domestic violence. While it is hard to believe, under current law, if a resident is visited by a former spouse, a stalker or domestic abuser, and he breaks down the door, the very noise and property damage caused by the dispute could be grounds for her to be evicted. Being abused should not be cause for terminating a lease. My amendment changes that by protecting section 8 tenants from wrongful eviction.

It is fundamentally wrong to evict a resident because they have been victimized. The individuals and their families deserve our respect and understanding. This provision ensures that domestic violence victims have a safe home for them and their families.

Second, my amendment protects the record of domestic violence victims. If certain identifying characteristics are made public, even to a prospective landlord, abusers could use the information to locate their victims. This goes beyond just name and Social Security number. The key is making sure that their information is protected so that victims move forward without the fear of being found. Their safety must be first and foremost. Let's give section 8 tenants basic protections to ensure they can find and keep a safe home away from violence.

Madam Chairwoman, I support the improvements to the section 8 program that H.R. 1851 makes and want to thank Chairman Frank and Chairwoman Waters again for their diligence on this bill. I think it is important that we remember that finding a home entails feeling safe, not just securing shelter.

In 2005, we fought in unison to protect domestic violence victims through VAWA; 415 Members of the 109th Congress supported these provisions back then. Today I am asking you to close a potential loophole for section 8 housing residents who are victims of domestic violence. I urge a ``yes'' vote on my amendment and the underlying bill.

Madam Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

I thank the gentlelady for supporting my amendment.

I yield back the balance of my time.