[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 129 (Tuesday, September 4, 2007)]
[House]
[Pages H10026-H10029]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1430
                     SBA TRADE PROGRAMS ACT OF 2007

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. 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.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 2992

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``SBA Trade 
     Programs Act of 2007''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

                  TITLE I--SMALL BUSINESS TRADE POLICY

Sec. 101. Develop and implement small business trade policies.
Sec. 102. Establish an annual small business trade strategy.
Sec. 103. Track small business exports and trade resource utilization.

                  TITLE II--TRADE COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. Trade Remedy and Dispute Assistance Initiative.
Sec. 202. Patent Assistance and Intellectual Property Protections 
              Initiative.

      TITLE III--TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Sec. 301. Trade Adjustment Assistance Financing Initiative.
Sec. 302. Technical resources for trade adjustment assistance.

                      TITLE IV--EXPORT ASSISTANCE

Sec. 401. Increase Small Business Administration participation at 
              Export Assistance Centers.
Sec. 402. Increase access to capital for small and medium-sized 
              exporters.
Sec. 403. Clerical amendment.

                TITLE V--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

Sec. 501. Authorization of appropriations.

                  TITLE I--SMALL BUSINESS TRADE POLICY

     SEC. 101. TRADE POLICY FOR SMALL BUSINESS.

       Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(h) Role in Trade Policy.--
       ``(1) Recommendations.--The director of the Office shall 
     present recommendations regarding small business exporters to 
     trade negotiators.
       ``(2) Development of trade policies.--The director of the 
     Office shall assist in the development of trade policies that 
     increase opportunities for small businesses in domestic and 
     foreign markets, including the removal of trade barriers.
       ``(3) Implementation of trade policies.--The director of 
     the Office shall assist in the implementation of trade 
     policies through relationships developed with Federal trade 
     policymakers, particularly the United States Trade 
     Representative, and transnational organizations, such as the 
     Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.
       ``(4) Small exporter promotion programs.--The director of 
     the Office shall establish programs that will boost the 
     export opportunities of entrepreneurs and encourage 
     transnational organizations, such as the Organization for 
     Economic Co-operation and Development, small exporter 
     organizations, and ministries of foreign governments to 
     support and publicize these programs.
       ``(5) Strategic alliances.--
       ``(A) Congressional notification.--The director of the 
     Office shall notify the Committee on Small Business of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Small Business 
     and Entrepreneurship of the Senate of pending strategic 
     alliances.
       ``(B) Follow-up activities.--The director of the Office 
     shall ensure that planned and documented follow-up activities 
     for strategic alliances increase trade opportunities for 
     small businesses.
       ``(C) Strategic alliance defined.--In this paragraph, the 
     term `strategic alliance' means a working relationship, 
     entered into between the Small Business Administration and 
     foreign national ministries representing small business 
     concerns, for the purpose of strengthening trade between 
     United States small businesses and foreign small businesses 
     by establishing overseas networks and buyers.''.

     SEC. 102. ESTABLISH AN ANNUAL SMALL BUSINESS TRADE STRATEGY.

       Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as 
     amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(i) Annual Small Business Trade Strategy.--
       ``(1) In general.--The director of the Office shall develop 
     and maintain a small business trade strategy that is 
     contributed as part of the National Export Strategy developed 
     by the Department of Commerce that includes at least the 
     following components:
       ``(A) Strategies to increase small business export 
     opportunities. The strategies shall include a specific 
     strategy to increase small business export opportunities to 
     the Asia Pacific Region.
       ``(B) Recommendations to increase the competitiveness of 
     domestic small business industries in the global economy.
       ``(C) Recommendations to protect small businesses from 
     unfair trade practices, including intellectual property 
     violations.
       ``(D) Strategies to expand small business representation in 
     United States trade policy formation and implementation.
       ``(E) Coordination efforts with the Trade Promotion 
     Coordinating Committee of the Department of Commerce, as well 
     as with Federal agencies that also provide trade financing to 
     small businesses, such as the Overseas Private Investment 
     Corporation and the Export-Import Bank.
       ``(2) Report.--At the beginning of each fiscal year, the 
     director shall submit to the Committee on Small Business of 
     the House of Representatives and the Committee on Small 
     Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a report on the 
     small business trade strategy required by paragraph (1). The 
     report shall cover, at a minimum, each of the components 
     required by paragraph (1) and shall include specific policies 
     and objectives and timelines to implement those policies and 
     objectives.''.

     SEC. 103. TRACK SMALL BUSINESS EXPORTS AND TRADE RESOURCE 
                   UTILIZATION.

       Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as 
     amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(j) Tracking System.--
       ``(1) In general.--The director of the Office shall develop 
     a system to track small business exports and the use by small 
     businesses of Federal trade promotion resources. The director 
     shall ensure that the system is consistent through each 
     Federal agency member of the Trade Promotion Coordinating 
     Committee.
       ``(2) Design emphasis.--The director shall give particular 
     attention, in designing the system, to the tracking of data 
     on the trade of services by small exporters, in consultation 
     with the Department of Commerce.
       ``(3) Implementation.--The director shall work in 
     consultation with members of the Trade Promotion Coordinating 
     Committee to ensure that the system is implemented and that 
     the results of the system are reported annually in the 
     National Export Strategy conducted by the Trade Promotion 
     Coordinating Committee.''.

                  TITLE II--TRADE COMPLIANCE PROGRAMS

     SEC. 201. TRADE REMEDY AND DISPUTE ASSISTANCE INITIATIVE.

       Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as 
     amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(k) Trade Remedy and Dispute Assistance Initiative.--The 
     director of the Office shall design, and the district offices 
     of the Administration shall implement, a program that 
     provides technical assistance, counseling services, and 
     reference materials to assist small businesses navigate the 
     trade dispute and remedy processes. The program shall 
     include--
       ``(1) information on available resources, procedures, and 
     requirements for trade remedy investigations;
       ``(2) an approach for district office staff to provide one-
     on-one assistance to small businesses involved in these 
     activities; and
       ``(3) an identification of legal resources and other tools 
     to ensure small businesses can navigate the trade dispute and 
     remedy processes affordably.''.

     SEC. 202. PATENT ASSISTANCE AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY 
                   PROTECTIONS INITIATIVE.

       Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as 
     amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(l) Patent Assistance and Intellectual Property 
     Protections Initiative.--In consultation with the United 
     States Patent and Trademark Office and the United States 
     Copyright Office, the Office shall design counseling 
     services, including identifying legal resources for small 
     businesses to secure intellectual property protection in 
     foreign countries. To implement the program, the Office shall 
     collaborate with district office staff to provide on-on-one 
     assistance to small businesses involved in these 
     activities.''.

      TITLE III--TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

     SEC. 301. TRADE ADJUSTMENT ASSISTANCE FINANCING INITIATIVE.

       Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)(D) by inserting after ``paragraph 
     (14)(A),'' the following: ``or to participate in a loan made 
     under paragraph (16),''; and
       (2) in paragraph (16)--
       (A) in subparagraph (D) by striking clauses (i) and (ii) 
     and inserting the following:
       ``(i) is impacted by--

       ``(I) increased competition with foreign firms in the 
     relevant market; or
       ``(II) unfair trade practices, particularly intellectual 
     property violations; and

       ``(ii) is injured by such impacts.''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) Outreach and marketing.--The Administration shall 
     increase outreach and marketing of international trade loans 
     to district offices and private lenders.''.

     SEC. 302. TECHNICAL RESOURCES FOR TRADE ADJUSTMENT 
                   ASSISTANCE.

       Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as 
     amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(m) Technical Resources for Trade Adjustment 
     Assistance.--
       ``(1) In general.--The director of the Office shall 
     establish a comprehensive set of services to assist small 
     business readjustment, including access to training, 
     technology, marketing assistance, and research and 
     information on domestic and global markets.
       ``(2) Implementation.--The Administrator shall, by 
     regulation, establish such requirements as may be necessary 
     to carry out paragraph (1).

[[Page H10027]]

       ``(3) Outreach.--The Office shall work with the district 
     offices and the outreach business assistance centers of the 
     Administration, including Small Business Development Centers, 
     Women's Business Centers, and SCORE, to offer the set of 
     services established under paragraph (1) to small businesses 
     in their local communities.''.

                      TITLE IV--EXPORT ASSISTANCE

     SEC. 401. INCREASE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION 
                   PARTICIPATION AT EXPORT ASSISTANCE CENTERS.

       Section 22 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649), as 
     amended by this Act, is further amended by adding at the end 
     the following:
       ``(n) Trade Finance Positions.--
       ``(1) Additional trade finance specialists.--
       ``(A) In general.--The Office, over the 1-year period 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of this subsection, 
     shall increase the number of trade finance specialists at 
     Export Assistance Centers by at least 6 and thereafter shall 
     maintain the number of such trade finance specialists at or 
     above that number. Candidates for the positions are required 
     to have sufficient qualifications and experiences.
       ``(B) Authorization of appropriations.--There are 
     authorized to be appropriated to carry out subparagraph (A) 
     such sums as may be necessary.
       ``(2) Filling vacant positions.--The Office, over the 3-
     month period beginning on the date of the enactment of this 
     subsection, shall fill all trade finance positions that have 
     been vacant since 2003. Candidates for the positions are 
     required to have sufficient qualifications and experiences.
       ``(3) Filling gaps in high-export-volume areas.--The 
     director of the Office shall--
       ``(A) not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment 
     of this subsection, carry out a national study to compare the 
     rate of exports from each State and major metropolitan region 
     to the availability of Administration staff participating in 
     Export Assistance Centers in such State or region;
       ``(B) not later than 2 years after such date of enactment, 
     design a formula to eliminate gaps between supply of, and 
     demand for, such staff in areas with high export volumes; and
       ``(C) request the additional staff that are required to 
     eliminate such gaps and place them in those areas.''.

     SEC. 402. INCREASE ACCESS TO CAPITAL FOR SMALL AND MEDIUM-
                   SIZED EXPORTERS.

       Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) 
     is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2)(D) by amending the heading to read as 
     follows: ``Participation under export working capital and 
     international trade programs''; and
       (2) in paragraph (3)--
       (A) in subparagraph (A) by striking ``subparagraph (B)'' 
     and inserting ``subparagraphs (B) and (C)'';
       (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (B) and (C) as (C) and 
     (D), respectively;
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (A) the following:
       ``(B) if the total amount outstanding and committed (by 
     participation or otherwise) solely for the purposes provided 
     in paragraphs (14)(A) and (16) to the borrower from the 
     business loan and investment fund established by this Act 
     would exceed $2,250,000 (or if the gross loan amount would 
     exceed $3,000,000), except as provided in subparagraph 
     (C);''; and
       (D) in subparagraph (C) (as so redesignated) by striking 
     ``$1,750,000, of which not more than $1,250,000'' and 
     inserting ``$2,250,000, of which not more than $1,600,000''.

     SEC. 403. CLERICAL AMENDMENT.

       Section 22(c)(5) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 649) 
     is amended by striking the period at the end and inserting a 
     semicolon.

                TITLE V--AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS

     SEC. 501. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be 
     necessary to carry out this Act and the amendments made by 
     this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Velazquez) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. 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. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2992, the SBA Trade 
Programs Act of 2007. The committee worked in a cooperative and 
bipartisan basis to bring these changes in the SBA's operation of its 
programs to enhance small business participation in the global economy. 
H.R. 2992 represents the Small Business Committee's continued 
commitment to promotion of international trade by America's small 
businesses.
  The Small Business Administration has a number of general 
entrepreneurial assistance programs that provide technical advice to 
small business owners. However, international trade is an area that is 
fraught with regulatory issues requiring specialized knowledge that may 
not be available from the SBA's entrepreneurial partners.
  It is not surprising to find that the SBA created other programs to 
meet the needs of small business exporters that rely on personnel with 
specialized knowledge about the international trade regulatory regime. 
These programs, as well as the SBA efforts to coordinate with other 
agencies such as the Department of Commerce, have resulted in 
remarkable gains in exports.
  There are about a quarter of a million small businesses that export. 
Revenue increased from $102.8 billion to $203 billion in 2004. There's 
no doubt that small businesses are playing a vital role in reducing 
America's trade deficit. Continuation of this success and even greater 
impetus on small business exporting will benefit the American economy.
  H.R. 2992 requires the Small Business Administration to expand its 
trade

[[Page H10028]]

outreach initiatives and improve coordination of its trade promotion 
activities with those of other Federal agencies such as United States 
Trade Representative, the Department of Commerce, and the Export-Import 
Bank.
  The bill will increase the capacity of America's small businesses to 
export. This will reduce our trade deficit and increase our national 
and economic security.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. 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. SESTAK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman and ranking member. I 
very much appreciate your support on this bill, and I rise to speak 
highly on it and thank, in particular, my colleague Mr. John Hall who 
is also an original cosponsor.
  I believe this bill has a lot to do with enhancing global 
competitiveness of American small businesses. In fact, in May I held an 
economic summit in my district in partnership with the U.S. Export 
Assistance Center in Philadelphia. The day's program aimed to provide 
business owners with information about the resources and services 
provided by the local, State and Federal governments. The panel that 
day particularly focused on how to help local small businesses export 
their products to foreign markets, as well as on how firms interested 
in expanding their businesses overseas could obtain trade financing.
  I was extremely encouraged by the number of small business owners 
interested in expanding their business into overseas markets during 
this summit. However, this should come as no surprise since small 
businesses make up 97 percent of all exporters and have contributed 
greatly to the growth of exports overseas.
  There is promise in the economic impact of trade among small 
businesses. For example, with assistance from the Philadelphia Export 
Assistance Center, Nielsen-Kellerman, a small business in my district 
that designs and manufactures waterproof electronics for use in the 
rowing industry, worked with trade specialists to expand globally and 
since 2001 has signed nine dealer agreements in Germany and has 
successfully sold products in Southeast Asia, Europe, Central America 
and the Middle East. The firm continues to utilize the Export 
Assistance Center for business counseling and guidance to further 
expand their business overseas.
  However, I also saw during my district's economic summit that small 
exporters also face numerous challenges, such as higher transaction 
costs, than do big business. They assume greater risk than larger 
exporters, and they experience burdensome customs requirements which 
limit their access to foreign markets, impeding small firms from 
maximizing their full potential to expand their enterprises.
  This legislation not only addresses the need for a focus on assisting 
in overseas trading by calling for an annual trade strategy to increase 
exports but also, Mr. Speaker, enhancing the level of export assistance 
by increasing access to capital and establishing programs for trade 
adjustment assistance to help small firms adjust to ever-changing 
global economic conditions and demands.
  I believe the SBA Trade Act is comprehensive legislation that is 
critical to the economic security of our Nation and urge my colleagues 
to support this legislation.
  Mr. CHABOT. I will continue to reserve, Mr. Speaker.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. 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.)
  Ms. SUTTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 2992, the 
SBA Trade Programs Act.
  I want to thank Congressman Hall for introducing this important bill 
and for his continued efforts to ensure our trade policies work for 
American businesses and workers.
  I also want to applaud the distinguished chairwoman, Chairwoman 
Velazquez, for her leadership on this issue and dedication to helping 
our small businesses.
  This bill could not be more relevant because small businesses in Ohio 
and across the Nation are struggling to compete because of sometimes 
misguided U.S. trade policies and unfair and often illegal foreign 
trade practices.
  Small businesses and their workers are the backbone of communities in 
Ohio and across this Nation. Just listen to the statistics:
  Small businesses comprise 97 percent of all export enterprises but 
only generate 30 percent of domestic export revenues, and that number 
is shrinking. This is happening because our trade policies often 
benefit large corporate interests and leave small businesses behind.
  The trends also show that it is becoming more and more difficult for 
American small businesses to compete against the unfair trade practices 
of foreign nations, often propped up by governmental subsidies, weak 
intellectual property laws, and currency manipulation.
  H.R. 2992 will help small businesses become more competitive in the 
international trade market. This bill will provide a comprehensive set 
of resources to help small businesses by increasing export assistance, 
strengthening small business trade policies, and providing adjustment 
assistance.
  These are very important steps we can take at the Small Business 
Administration to help our local firms stay competitive; and while this 
will help small business compete both domestically and globally, there 
is clearly much more that needs to be done, including an overhaul of 
U.S. trade policy to ensure that the needs of American businesses and 
workers and communities are being met.
  Unfortunately, our current trade policies put American businesses and 
workers often at a disadvantage and reward companies who move overseas 
or outsource jobs, and for communities like mine, Mr. Speaker, in 
northeast Ohio where the creation and retention of jobs is the number 
one issue, supporting our local industries and small businesses will be 
critical to our ability to revitalize our economy and succeed in the 
future.
  Today, we move in the right direction by passing the SBA Trade 
Programs Act; and, once again, I applaud Congressman Hall and 
Chairwoman Velazquez for their leadership on this important issue and 
for the hard work that they are doing.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no additional speakers.
  Mr. CHABOT. I would urge my colleagues to support H.R. 2992, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. 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.

                              {time}  1445

  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. HALL of New York. Mr. Speaker, I would like to thank Chairwoman 
Velazquez for doing such a wonderful job ushering this bill through her 
committee and onto the House floor today. America's small business 
community could not ask for a better ally and friend

[[Page H10029]]

in this body than the chairwoman of the Small Business Committee.
  I am pleased today that H.R. 2992, the SBA Trade Programs Act of 
2007, is being considered on the House Floor. As in many parts of the 
country, the small businesses in New York's Hudson Valley are the 
engine that drives our economy, and their success is vital to the 
prosperity of our communities. In our increasingly shrinking world, 
being successful throughout the global economy has taken on a vitally 
important role. As a result, it is crucial that all businesses, 
including small businesses, have a level playing field in international 
trade.
  Unfortunately, by their very nature small businesses do not have the 
same opportunities to take part in international trade that their 
larger competitors do. They are smaller and less able to take advantage 
of the economy of scale. Many simply do not have the capital or the 
logistical capability to devote to the cause. Most of the small 
businesses in my district are located only a few miles from New York 
City, the world's greatest international hub, and yet they often do not 
have the capacity to take advantage of that location. Today, with this 
bill, we hope to change that.
  The SBA Trade Programs Act we have considered directs the Small 
Business Administration's Office of International Trade to take a 
number of steps specifically designed to help small businesses have a 
greater opportunity to take part in international trade. It instructs 
the OIT to capitalize on its relationship with the US Trade 
Representative and international organizations to develop and implement 
trade policies to support small businesses. This will enable small 
businesses to take advantage of the system we have created for bigger 
companies and has proven so helpful to American businesses.
  It orders the OIT to establish an annual trade strategy for small 
businesses, which includes specific ideas on ways to increase 
competitiveness, better protect small businesses from unfair trade 
practices, increase small business' exports, and expand the 
representation of small businesses in creating and defining trade 
policy.
  It provides small businesses with technical assistance in trade 
remedy investigations and dispute cases, two places where small 
businesses have long been at a disadvantage as they often do not have 
the financial capacity or manpower to deal with multiple jurisdictional 
issues.
  The bill calls on the OIT to design comprehensive services to assist 
small businesses adjust to global climate conditions and increase loans 
and loan guarantees to small business exporters. By increasing loan 
availability small businesses will have greater access to the capital 
required for successful international business opportunities. And the 
assistive services will better enable small businesses to adapt to the 
differing tastes and desires of foreign markets.
  This bill will provide assistance for businesses that require legal 
resources to help secure intellectual property protection. It will also 
expand eligibility requirements for international trade loans to 
include intellectual property violations as well as other trade 
practices with negative financial repercussions. These provisions are 
especially relevant because intellectual property remains one of our 
country's most important exports. Yet the extent and scope of their 
protection varies significantly from country to country. Any company 
looking to protect their intellectual property must be aware of the 
protections offered, and not offered; in each jurisdiction in which 
they have a presence. This bill will provide the appropriate resources 
so that America's small businesses can protect, and if need be, defend 
their intellectual property rights.
  Mr. Speaker. This is an important bill. It is a bill that will 
provide a significant benefit to America's small businesses and open 
doors to them have been shut for far too long. I urge every member of 
the House to support it. Once again, I thank Chairwoman Velazquez and 
the rest of the small business committee for such great work in 
bringing this bill to the floor.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 2992, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________