[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 158 (Tuesday, September 25, 2018)]
[House]
[Pages H8804-H8805]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2018
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 6316) to clarify the primary functions and duties of the
Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 6316
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Advocacy
Improvements Act of 2018''.
SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE
OFFICE OF ADVOCACY OF THE SMALL BUSINESS
ADMINISTRATION.
(a) Primary Functions.--Section 202 of Public Law 94-305
(15 U.S.C. 634b) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and the international
economy'' after ``economy'';
(2) in paragraph (9), by striking ``complete'' and
inserting ``compete''; and
(3) in paragraph (12), by striking ``serviced-disabled''
and inserting ``service-disabled''.
(b) Duties.--Section 203(a) of Public Law 94-305 (15 U.S.C.
634c) is amended--
(1) in paragraph 5, by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in paragraph 6, by striking the period at the end and
inserting ``; and''; and
(3) by adding at the end the following:
``(7) represent the views and interests of small businesses
before foreign governments and international entities for the
purpose of contributing to regulatory and trade initiatives
which may affect small businesses.''.
[[Page H8805]]
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Ohio (Mr. Chabot) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Ohio.
General Leave
Mr. CHABOT. 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 under consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Ohio?
There was no objection.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 6316, the Small Business Advocacy
Improvements Act of 2018, which clarifies the role of the Office of
Advocacy of the United States Small Business Administration.
The Office of Advocacy is charged with representing small businesses
before Federal agencies whose policies and activities may affect small
businesses. It also examines the role of small business in the American
economy and the contributions small businesses can make in improving
competition. This office plays a vital role in ensuring that small
businesses are heard when the Federal Government makes policy decisions
that will impact them.
Currently, the law is silent regarding the Office of Advocacy's
ability to study the role of small business in international economies,
which is an important avenue for small businesses as they seek
opportunities to expand overseas. This bill would clarify that the
Office of Advocacy should include international economies as part of
its research functions.
The law is also silent regarding the Office of Advocacy's authority
to represent small businesses before foreign governments and
international entities. It is important for small businesses to have
their views and interests on regulatory and trade initiatives
represented in the international space.
This bill clarifies the Office of Advocacy's ability to represent
small business views and interests before foreign governments and other
international entities for the purpose of contributing to regulatory
and trade initiatives.
I want to thank Mr. Comer and Ms. Adams for working on this issue and
producing a simple solution to clarify the Office of Advocacy's role.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this straightforward
legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6316, the Small Business
Advocacy Improvements Act.
There are nearly 30 million small businesses in the United States,
representing more than 99 percent of all businesses. These small firms
employ nearly 50 percent of all private sector employees in the U.S.
The SBA's Office of Advocacy represents an important tool for these
businesses because it is their voice that the office embodies in all
matters of government.
Clarifying the authority of advocacy to examine international
economic data and represent small business interests in international
discussions, particularly in trade negotiations, raises the ability of
small American firms to participate in a global market.
Mr. Speaker, that is why I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the
gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Comer), and I thank him for his leadership
on this bill.
Mr. COMER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6316, the
Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2018.
I am proud to be the sponsor of this bipartisan legislation. The
Office of Advocacy at the United States Small Business Administration
plays a vital role in ensuring Federal agencies take into account how
their policies impact small businesses.
While the Office of Advocacy has done excellent work on behalf of our
Nation's small businesses, the current law is silent on whether it can
research and advocate on behalf of small business on international
matters. This is a problem that we can easily fix.
Given the Office of Advocacy's knowledge and research on how
regulations impact small businesses, it is appropriate for the office
to advocate and research small business interests on international
matters. This bill advances the Office of Advocacy's mission to
advocate for America's small businesses and clarifies its authority on
international small business issues.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important
bipartisan bill.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
There is no question that we need to support our small businesses
across the country, no matter their location or industry, when they are
attempting to break into international commerce. Today's bill leverages
the unique position and knowledge of the SBA's Office of Advocacy to
amplify the voice of small firms in international settings.
I commend Congressman Comer and Congresswoman Adams in taking the
important step to break down international barriers for small
entrepreneurs entering into the world of trade.
Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to, again, thank Mr. Comer and Ms. Adams
for their leadership on this measure.
The Office of Advocacy is a critical Federal agency charged with
representing America's 30 million small firms across the Federal
Government. They have done outstanding work on behalf of our Nation's
small businesses. But as we have discussed, current law is silent on
whether it can research and advocate on behalf of small business on
international matters. This bipartisan legislation offers a simple
solution to allow the Office of Advocacy to expand their role in
international matters.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
{time} 1715
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, H.R. 6316.
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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