[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 10 (Tuesday, January 25, 2011)]
[House]
[Pages H445-H446]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS
Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules
and pass the bill (H.R. 366) 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 bill is as follows:
H.R. 366
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF
PROGRAMS UNDER THE SMALL BUSINESS ACT AND THE
SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT ACT OF 1958.
(a) In General.--Section 1 of the Act entitled ``An Act to
extend temporarily certain authorities of the Small Business
Administration'', approved October 10, 2006 (Public Law 109-
316; 120 Stat. 1742), as most recently amended by section 1
of Public Law 111-251 (124 Stat. 2631), is amended by
striking ``January 31, 2011'' each place it appears and
inserting ``May 31, 2011''.
(b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a)
shall take effect on January 30, 2011.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Missouri (Mr. Graves) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Missouri.
General Leave
Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that
all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Missouri?
There was no objection.
Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, we have a big job ahead of us in the 112th Congress.
Unemployment remains above 9 percent, and millions of people are out of
work. Entrepreneurs are struggling to create jobs and grow their
businesses amid threats of higher taxes and more unmanageable Federal
mandates. Our economic recovery has been erratic at best. Hard work
lies ahead to reduce the uncertainty, to create new jobs and restore
confidence in our economy.
Today, we are discussing a simple extension of programs overseen by
the Small Business Administration through May 31, 2011. Enacting this
legislation is a critical first step towards giving small business
owners some certainty while we continue to fully examine all of SBA's
programs and make necessary changes to improve SBA services. Enacting
this legislation will give our new majority the opportunity to explore
new and innovative ideas to improve the services offered by the SBA.
I am humbled and honored to serve our country's entrepreneurs as the
chairman of the Small Business Committee, and I look forward to working
with Ranking Member Velazquez to enact a more permanent reauthorization
in a timely manner. The two of us have had an excellent working
relationship over the past 2 years, and I have no doubt this is going
to continue in the future.
Madam Speaker, we are all eager to get the work done on restoring
America's faith in government and reducing the uncertainty that
prevails throughout our economic sectors. We can take this first step
by approving this temporary extension and laying the groundwork for a
full reauthorization that will bring these programs into the 21st
century.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill before us.
I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, the role of small businesses is critical to creating
new jobs. With the economy continuing to face challenges on several
fronts, we need small firms more than ever. Time and again, they have
generated the ideas and know-how that spark job growth. However,
entrepreneurs face challenging economic headwinds. Small businesses
continue facing obstacles accessing capital, and sales remain flat.
Given these realities, we need to make sure that small firms have the
resources and tools to start up or expand.
The legislation we are considering today does this and extends the
authorization of the several important Small Business Administration
programs. Through these initiatives, firms can secure financing,
receive training, or compete more effectively for Federal contracts.
While we must keep these programs operational, it is unfortunate that
we are doing so through another temporary extension. Last Congress, the
House passed 14 bills updating all of SBA's financing and
entrepreneurial development programs. However, while the Senate was
able to report a few measures out of committee, they were unable to
actually pass any legislation affecting these programs through the
Chamber. As a result, we are here
[[Page H446]]
today to temporarily extend the SBA's initiatives.
Small businesses across the Nation depend on a strong SBA. This is
especially true now, when many unemployed individuals are turning to
entrepreneurship as a source of income. By ensuring that the agency's
programs do not lapse, we are providing small businesses with the
foundation for future growth and, in doing so, helping move the economy
forward.
Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.
I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1240
Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, in order to close this debate,
let me reiterate that small businesses are going to lead this economic
recovery, but we have to provide them with some certainty first.
Enacting this legislation before us is going to do just that and let
entrepreneurs know that we are back on their side.
Once again I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I look
forward to working with Ranking Member Velazquez and our colleagues on
the Small Business Committee for a more permanent extension.
I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 366.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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