Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Sanchez), my friend and manager of the Democratic baseball team.

Mr. Speaker, I thank the manager very much for those kind words.

Mr. Speaker, on June 10, 2026, we had a game at Nationals Park. Nearly 40,000 people attended, breaking a record. As we have already heard, $3.2 million was raised for charity. We had co-MVPs for the Republican team. We didn't play that good, but we played good enough to win.

I thank Greg Steube who pitched a full seven innings and in seven innings threw only 97 pitches. I also thank Senator Schmitt for making a catch that made ESPN's top 10 catches for that week. We are proud of that.

We won seven in a row, and we plan on doing better next year. We have lost some players, and I thank Morgan Luttrell and Randy Feenstra for all the time that they have committed to the game. To recover from the loss of players, you have to go recruit players. We are trying to do that now so we can be competitive, Linda, when we play next year. That is what we want to do is be competitive.

Mr. Speaker, I thank all of my players for their hard work. We had a good first workout today. It was not too cold. It was good. We played pretty good this morning. The game is great. Baseball is the greatest game there is. It is always there. We plan on being as good as we can play next year if we can get the right people, but it is an honor to represent the team that we have. It is an honor to take this trophy. For the seventh year in a row, Republicans have received this, so let's get the trophy.

The Democrats have a good team. They are very competitive.

May God bless everybody. See you next year.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize and pray for those affected by the Ross fire in Palo Pinto and Jack Counties.

More than 85,000 acres have burned across north Texas impacting families, ranchers, and communities in my district. For many of these families, this fire has meant losing their livelihoods, livestock, and land that their families have owned for generations. Please join me in praying for those affected. My heart goes out to every Texan who is hurting during this difficult time.

I thank the firefighters, the first responders, the Forest Service, and everyone who has traveled from across Texas to help contain this wildfire. My office will continue to closely monitor the fires and stand ready to help.

Mr. Speaker, in the face of adversity, we have seen how great America is and how great Texas is.

In God we trust.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7396) to establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 7396, the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, introduced by Representative Davids from the great State of Kansas, Representative Ellzey from the great State of Texas, Representative Morrison from the great State of Minnesota, and Representative Crane from the great State of Arizona.

The bill codifies the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration.

The SBA's entrepreneurial development programs help small businesses start, grow, and compete by providing training, counseling, and access to critical resources. For years, the Office of Native American Affairs has played an important role in delivering these services to Native American entrepreneurs and conducting consultations with Tribal communities.

Despite its longstanding work, the office has never been formally authorized by Congress.

In addition to codifying the office, this legislation strengthens oversight by requiring an annual report to Congress. The report will detail the office's activities, including the number of clients served, consultations conducted, and training provided.

The reporting requirement will improve congressional oversight and help ensure resources are being effectively deployed.

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

Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 7396 to ensure consistent, long-term support and access to resources for Native American entrepreneurs and Tribal businesses, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 7396 to strengthen economic opportunity in Native American communities and provide certainty that this important SBA office will continue its work.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7401) to require employees of the Small Business Administration to certify that the employee does not have any prohibited conflicts of interest with respect to loans in which the employee is involved, and for other purposes.

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 the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 7401, the Small Business Lending Fraud Prevention Act, introduced by the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Meuser) and the gentlewoman from New Hampshire (Ms. Goodlander).

Last year, a former SBA loan officer pled guilty to submitting false statements in order to fraudulently secure over $500,000 in pandemic relief loans for herself and family members. When the SBA initially denied the loans, the SBA employee approved them herself.

The SBA Office of Inspector General identified multiple instances in which SBA employees approved loans to relatives or others who were barred from conflict of interest rules and noted that such cases were rarely prosecuted. We must take serious steps to avoid such cases in the future. It should not be possible for fraud like this to occur.

This bipartisan legislation offers a commonsense solution to add a layer of security to crack down on loan fraud. H.R. 7401 requires SBA employees to certify that they have no conflicts of interest before processing a loan, to disclose any conflicts immediately, and to recuse themselves if a conflict of interest is discovered.

It is our responsibility to ensure taxpayer funds are handled appropriately. This bill will provide a safeguard against improper loan approvals and establish a clear basis for prosecution if an employee knowingly approves loans prohibited by conflict of interest rules.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7401, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 7401 to strengthen integrity in SBA lending programs by requiring employees involved in loan decisions to certify they have no prohibited conflicts of interest.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 7401 to support transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the administration of SBA loans, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 826) to require the Inspector General of the Small Business Administration to submit a quarterly report on fraud relating to certain COVID-19 loans, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 826, the COVID Fraud Transparency Act of 2026.

Earlier this year, I introduced this bill alongside my good friends the gentleman from New York (Mr. Latimer), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bean), and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Mfume).

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we moved quickly to provide relief to families, workers, and small businesses facing unprecedented hardship. When the government acts at that scale and speed, we also have the responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent as intended, especially for honest, hardworking Americans. Unfortunately, we fell short in addressing that challenge.

The SBA Office of Inspector General estimates that roughly $200 billion in potentially fraudulent relief funds were disbursed through COVID-19 relief programs. Over 5 years after the pandemic began, the work of accountability is not finished. The American people deserve to know how the fraud occurred and what lessons can be learned to better protect public resources in the future.

On March 16, President Trump announced the White House task force to eliminate fraud, to strengthen interagency coordination, and more to directly confront waste, fraud, and abuse. Since its formation, the task force has helped coordinate interagency efforts to identify improper payments, improve oversight, and advise in investigations into COVID-19-era-related fraud. That is what it means to be accountable to the American people.

By improving reporting requirements and enhancing oversight, we can gain a clearer understanding of the schemes of these bad actors who exploited these relief programs. More importantly, we will be able to identify the weaknesses that made them possible.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 826, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 826 to require the SBA inspector general to provide regular reports on fraud involving COVID-19 relief loans and improve oversight and transparency of pandemic-era programs.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 826 because taxpayers deserve accountability, and Congress should have clear, ongoing information about efforts to combat COVID relief fraud.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 915) to authorize small business loans to finance access to modern business software, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 915, the Small Business Technological Advancement Act, introduced by my friends the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Lee).

Small businesses thrive when they stay ahead of the curve. H.R. 915 provides an important clarification and removes any ambiguity to ensure that small businesses can use SBA 7(a) loans to purchase and upgrade technological systems and business software, including those that utilize artificial intelligence, to support their daily operations.

Technology is deeply ingrained in the day-to-day operations of small businesses. There are countless and valuable applications for technology in a small business, from tracking inventory to payment processing and from human resources to accounting. If an American small business wants to stay competitive in the global economy, it must stay on the cutting edge of technological development and application.

With this clarification, small businesses will be able to continue exploring innovative technologies and tools for the future. This forward-thinking bill will ensure that the SBA 7(a) program will keep American entrepreneurs competitive with their international counterparts.

Once again, I thank Representatives Alford and Lee for introducing this timely legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 915.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 915 because access to technologies increases efficiency and productivity, and will help small businesses remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4238) to improve accountability in the disaster loan program of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4238, the Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act introduced by Representative Moore from the great State of North Carolina.

Disaster survivors should not have to wonder whether relief will arrive in time. Instead, they should be able to trust that the programs designed to help them recover are prepared to meet the moment.

The SBA's disaster loan program serves as a critical lifeline for families, homeowners, and small businesses recovering from natural disasters. Communities hit by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other emergencies use these loans to rebuild their homes, restore their livelihoods, and get themselves back on their feet.

That is why it was so concerning that during the 2024 hurricane season, the SBA disaster loan program exhausted its funding and was forced to pause new loan disbursements while communities were actively recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

The disruption highlighted serious concerns about the program's budgeting, oversight, and communication processes.

It is a sobering thought to know that at a time when thousands of vulnerable Americans were seeking assistance, the program was unable to provide the support they needed. Americans who have already survived a disaster should not face additional uncertainty because of preventable administrative failures.

This legislation will ensure that the SBA disaster relief programs will be backed by strong oversight, transparent budgeting, and timely communication with Congress.

I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4238. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 4238 to strengthen oversight of the SBA disaster loan program. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8879) to amend the Small Business Act to require a report on small business concern participation in a covered contracting programs, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8879, the Oversight and Transparency for Small Business Certifications Act of 2026, introduced by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Olszewski) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Wied).

As the Trump administration continues its focus on government efficiency and eliminating fraud within Federal programs, Congress needs the information necessary to determine where these programs are succeeding and where they need improvement.

SBA's small business contracting programs help connect eligible small businesses with Federal contracting opportunities. Programs such as the women-owned small business certification, the HUBZone program, and the service-disabled veteran-owned small business program help ensure that small businesses can compete for Federal contracts and grow their businesses.

To effectively oversee these programs, Congress must have access to reliable data on how the certification process is performing. H.R. 8879 requires the SBA to submit annual reports to Congress on certification activities across the agency's small business contracting programs.

The bill requires reporting on certifications granted and denied, application processing times, participation rates, recertification timelines, and the use of the SBA's certification platform.

This information will provide greater transparency into program operations, strengthen congressional oversight, and help ensure that these programs continue to serve eligible small businesses efficiently and effectively.

By improving accountability and providing Congress with better information, this legislation will help protect taxpayer resources while supporting small businesses seeking to compete in the Federal marketplace.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 8879, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 8879 to increase transparency in Federal small business contracting programs by requiring SBA to report on participation in its certification programs so Congress can better evaluate their effectiveness.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8879 to ensure small business contracting programs are working as they are intended. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8880) to require the Comptroller General to evaluate Federal cybersecurity assistance to small business concerns, and for other purposes, as amended.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8880, the Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026, introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Simon) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Bresnahan), my friends.

Small businesses are facing a growing wave of cybersecurity threats from ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and fraud schemes. Unfortunately, many small businesses lack the financial resources and technological expertise necessary to defend themselves against increasingly sophisticated crimes.

Data indicates that small businesses are 210 percent more likely to experience a cyber incident than larger companies. At the same time, 51 percent of small businesses reported having no cybersecurity measures in place, leaving them particularly vulnerable to malicious cyber activity.

As artificial intelligence becomes more and more prevalent, threat actors are increasingly using AI-generated content and impersonation schemes to target small business owners and their employees. These developments raise questions about the extent to which existing cybersecurity resources and Federal support adequately address the risks small businesses face.

While the Federal Government currently offers a variety of cybersecurity programs, tools, resources, and even services to assist small business, it is often unclear whether businessowners are aware of the resources available, whether they are utilizing them, and whether gaps exist in current Federal efforts.

H.R. 8880 takes a practical approach. This bill directs GAO to evaluate how Federal agencies help small businesses identify cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities, assess preparedness for small businesses to have a plan for and recover from cyberattacks, and access resources needed to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure.

This legislation also directs the GAO to assess the awareness, coordination, accessibility, and effectiveness of existing Federal cybersecurity assistance programs and identify opportunities for improvement. By examining what works and what needs additional attention, Congress can better ensure that resources reach the small businesses it serves.

As cyber threats continue to evolve, small businesses need access to effective tools, training, and resources to protect their operations, employees, and customers. This legislation will provide Congress with valuable information to strengthen cybersecurity assistance and help ensure Main Street businesses are better prepared for the challenges of the digital age.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 8880, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 8880 to help identify gaps, improve coordination, and

ensure those resources effectively address cyber threats facing small businesses.

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

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8880 to help strengthen cybersecurity, support small businesses, and ensure Federal resources are being used effectively to protect from growing cyber risks, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8881) to amend the Small Business Act to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to report on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning by the Administration, and for other purposes.

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

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8881, the SBA Artificial Intelligence Utilization Act of 2026, introduced by Representative Finstad from the great State of Minnesota and Representative Latimer from the great State of New York.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming how businesses operate. Across this great country, companies are using AI and machine learning technologies to improve customer service, detect fraud, streamline operations, and process information more effectively. As these technologies continue to develop, Federal agencies should evaluate how to responsibly leverage them to better serve the American people.

The Small Business Administration plays a critical role in supporting entrepreneurs and job creators across this Nation. As the agency works to improve service delivery, strengthen program integrity, and modernize its operations, Congress should have visibility into how emerging technologies are being used.

H.R. 8881 requires the SBA to submit annual reports to Congress regarding the agency's use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies. The bill requires the SBA to evaluate both the benefits and risks associated with these technologies, identify appropriate uses for AI tools, and explain how the agency maintains human involvement and oversight in its decisions assisted by AI.

As the Federal Government works to prevent fraud and protect taxpayer dollars, AI tools can help the SBA better identify suspicious activity, detect improper payments, improve customer service, and strengthen oversight of agency programs. At the same time, Congress must ensure that these technologies are deployed responsibly and transparently.

By providing regular information to the SBA's use of artificial intelligence, this legislation will help promote a more efficient and accountable government while ensuring that innovation is paired with appropriate oversight and human judgment.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 8881, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Minnesota (Mr. Finstad), my friend.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8881 to help modernize the SBA and ensure the agency can better serve America's small business.

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

Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8882) to amend the Small Business Economic Policy Act of 1980 to examine how the competitiveness of small businesses is affected by the enforcement of Federal antitrust laws, and for other purposes.

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 the bill.

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

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8882, the Main Street Competes Act, introduced by my good friend Representative Scholten from the great State of Michigan and Representative Schmidt from the great State of Kansas.

Competition is fundamental in the free market and especially in this economy. Without robust competition, businesses have little incentive to innovate, weakening the U.S. economy. If competition is weak, innovation and the U.S. economy suffer.

H.R. 8882, the Main Street Competes Act, reinforces the SBA's mission to preserve free and fair competition and strengthen the American economy. This bill requires the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission to share data with SBA Office of Advocacy regarding antitrust complaints, investigations, and enforcement actions involving small businesses.

The bill further directs the Office of Advocacy to analyze these trends and provide recommendations to Congress on how to improve competition and address harmful anticompetitive conduct impacting small businesses.

This is a targeted, data-driven approach to better understand competitive pressures in the marketplace and to assess whether existing antitrust enforcement is effectively protecting small businesses.

Importantly, this legislation does not create new regulatory burdens or expand Federal authority. By improving transparency and strengthening oversight, this bill ensures policymakers have the information needed to support a competitive marketplace here where Main Street businesses can grow, compete, and succeed.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 8882, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Schmidt), my good friend.

Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 8882 to help ensure small businesses remain competitive. This legislation will help us identify barriers to growth and ways to improve access. I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8882 because it promotes a stronger, more competitive environment for the Main Street of America and businesses to succeed and create jobs. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, due to illness, I was unable to vote on H.R. 5587. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 137.

Stated against:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Stephenville High School, which I am honored to represent in the United States Congress.

On February 9, the National Football Foundation named Stephenville High School the national winner of the Hatchell Cup award. This is the highest academic team honor in high school football, and the Yellow Jackets were awarded this distinction with an outstanding 4.0 team GPA.

Our community is proud to see Stephenville High School complete the football season undefeated and bring home another State title. The young men and coaches on this team have spent countless hours preparing both on and off the field. The Hatchell Cup recognition is a testament to their hard work and success.

I congratulate the players, Head Coach Sterling Doty, and the Stephenville community. Go Yellow Jackets.

In God we trust.

Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3496) to amend the Small Business Act for microloan eligibility for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and for other purposes, as amended.

Madam 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 the bill.

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

Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3496, the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act. This bill was introduced by Delegate King-Hinds and Representative Conaway.

The SBA microloan program provides entrepreneurs with access to small-dollar loans through qualified lenders. Sometimes, entrepreneurs do not need to access large sums of capital for their operations. That is where the SBA microloan program can help entrepreneurs get just enough capital to meet their exact needs.

Under current law, the SBA apportions microloan program funding to intermediaries in 55 States and territories. Unfortunately, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is excluded. This creates unnecessary barriers for small businesses in the Northern Mariana Islands by limiting

opportunities for local entrepreneurship and economic growth.

H.R. 3496 fixes this oversight and ensures that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is included within the geographic scope of the SBA microloan program, increasing the number of States and territories eligible to receive microloan program funding from 55 to 56.

Expanding eligibility for the microloan program will help spur entrepreneurship, strengthen local economies, and ensure that small businesses in all States and territories have a fair opportunity to grow.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3496, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Ms. King-Hinds), my good friend.

Madam Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3496 to bring access to capital for small businesses in the Northern Mariana Islands. I yield back the balance of my time.