[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 138 (Tuesday, September 29, 2009)]
[House]
[Page H10021]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION EXTENSION

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and concur in 
the Senate amendment to the bill (H.R. 3614) to provide for an 
additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act 
and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the Senate amendment is as follows:

       Senate amendment:
       Strike sections 2 and 3.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Velazquez) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Turner) 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 
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.
  The legislation before us will ensure that a number of Small Business 
Administration programs can continue operating through the end of 
October. The House and the Senate have been working diligently on a 
comprehensive reauthorization of the SBA's programs. However, as we 
approach the deadline for when these programs will otherwise expire, 
this bill is necessary to keep the agency's programs running.
  Some minor changes to the programs, which were contained in the 
extension that the House passed last week, are not in this measure. 
Although the Senate chose not to address these matters at this time, 
there is widespread support for these measures. I am hopeful that we 
can revisit those changes soon in future legislation.
  In coming weeks the Small Business Committee will continue working 
with our Senate counterparts to modernize the SBA's programs, some of 
which have not been updated in 10 years. While we continue our work, 
this bill will allow the SBA's programs to continue operating and 
serving entrepreneurs.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.''
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. TURNER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  I rise today in support of the chairwoman's request to suspend the 
rules and pass H.R. 3614, as amended. The bill extends until October 
31, 2009, the authorization of all programs authorized by the Small 
Business Act, the Small Business Investment Act, and any program 
operated by the Small Business Administration for which Congress has 
already appropriated funds.
  While the goal is to pass comprehensive legislation reauthorizing the 
SBA for a longer period, this short-term extension ensures that these 
programs will remain available to small businesses across the country.
  Without enactment of this extension, a number of essential programs 
that the SBA operates would cease to function. Given the importance 
that small businesses play and will continue to play in the 
revitalization of the American economy, we cannot allow the SBA 
authorizations to run out.
  Enactment of this legislation will enable the House and Senate to 
continue to work in a diligent manner to address necessary changes to 
SBA programs.
  I urge all of my colleagues to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 3614.
  Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from 
Oregon (Mr. Wu).
  Mr. WU. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 3614 and specifically 
those provisions which extend the SBIR and STTR programs.
  Small businesses grow our economy and they innovate. The SBIR and 
STTR programs help small companies develop cutting-edge technologies 
for the marketplace.
  However, these programs will expire at the end of this month, and 
H.R. 3614 temporarily extends the authorization of these programs while 
we work to finalize reauthorization efforts.
  Both the House and the Senate passed legislation earlier this year to 
reauthorize SBIR and STTR. We have been working to find those areas of 
common ground on areas where we disagree, and while we have yet to 
reach a final agreement, we all have the same goal: to reauthorize 
important programs which drive our economy and drive job creation.
  SBIR is a program for small business, and it is also an innovation 
program. It can and should serve both policy purposes. It should not be 
a stalking horse for Big Business nor should it become the preserve of 
only some small businesses while shutting out other small businesses 
who are frequently very good innovators in and of themselves.
  We need to find the common ground that serves these policy objectives 
and serve them well for the good of our Nation, our economy, and job 
creation.
  With that, I want to recognize the very good work of Chairwoman 
Velazquez in this arena.
  Mr. TURNER. Again, I urge all Members to support the passage of H.R. 
3614.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time. I yield back the 
balance of my time.
  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 concur in the Senate amendment to the bill, H.R. 3614.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the Senate amendment was concurred in.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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