[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 181 (Wednesday, November 13, 2019)]
[House]
[Pages H8797-H8800]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1245
             VETERAN ENTREPRENEURSHIP TRAINING ACT OF 2019

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 3537) to amend the Small Business Act to codify the Boots to 
Business Program, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 3537

         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 ``Veteran Entrepreneurship 
     Training Act of 2019''.

     SEC. 2. BOOTS TO BUSINESS PROGRAM.

         Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:
         ``(h) Boots to Business Program.--
         ``(1) Covered individual defined.--In this subsection, 
     the term `covered individual' means--
         ``(A) a member of the Armed Forces, including the 
     National Guard or Reserves;
         ``(B) an individual who is participating in the 
     Transition Assistance Program established under section 1144 
     of title 10, United States Code;
         ``(C) an individual who--
         ``(i) served on active duty in any branch of the Armed 
     Forces, including the National Guard or Reserves; and
         ``(ii) was discharged or released from such service under 
     conditions other than dishonorable; and
         ``(D) a spouse or dependent of an individual described in 
     subparagraph (A), (B), or (C).
         ``(2) Establishment.--Beginning on the first October 1 
     after the enactment of this subsection and for the subsequent 
     4 fiscal years, the Administrator shall carry out a program 
     to be known as the `Boots to Business Program' to provide 
     entrepreneurship training to covered individuals.
         ``(3) Goals.--The goals of the Boots to Business Program 
     are to--
         ``(A) provide assistance and in-depth training to covered 
     individuals interested in business ownership; and
         ``(B) provide covered individuals with the tools, skills, 
     and knowledge necessary to identify a business opportunity, 
     draft a business plan, identify sources of capital, connect 
     with local resources for small business concerns, and start 
     up a small business concern.
         ``(4) Program components.--
         ``(A) In general.--The Boots to Business Program may 
     include--
         ``(i) a presentation providing exposure to the 
     considerations involved in self-employment and ownership of a 
     small business concern;
         ``(ii) an online, self-study course focused on the basic 
     skills of entrepreneurship, the language of business, and the 
     considerations involved in self-employment and ownership of a 
     small business concern;
         ``(iii) an in-person classroom instruction component 
     providing an introduction to the foundations of self 
     employment and ownership of a small business concern; and
         ``(iv) in-depth training delivered through online 
     instruction, including an online course that leads to the 
     creation of a business plan.
         ``(B) Collaboration.--The Administrator may--
         ``(i) collaborate with public and private entities to 
     develop course curricula for the Boots to Business Program; 
     and
         ``(ii) modify program components in coordination with 
     entities participating in a Warriors in Transition program, 
     as defined in section 738(e) of the National Defense 
     Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2013 (10 U.S.C. 1071 note).
         ``(C) Use of resource partners.--
         ``(i) In general.--The Administrator shall--

         ``(I) ensure that Veteran Business Outreach Centers 
     regularly participate, on a nationwide basis, in the Boots to 
     Business Program; and
         ``(II) to the maximum extent practicable, use a variety 
     of other resource partners and entities in administering the 
     Boots to Business Program.

         ``(ii) Grant authority.--In carrying out clause (i), the 
     Administrator may make grants to Veteran Business Outreach 
     Centers, other resource partners, or other entities to carry 
     out components of the Boots to Business Program.
         ``(D) Availability to department of defense.--The 
     Administrator shall make available to the Secretary of 
     Defense information regarding the Boots to Business Program, 
     including all course materials and outreach materials related 
     to the Boots to Business Program, for inclusion on the 
     website of the Department of Defense relating to the 
     Transition Assistance Program, in the Transition Assistance 
     Program manual, and in other relevant materials available for 
     distribution from the Secretary of Defense.
         ``(E) Availability to veterans affairs.--In consultation 
     with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, the Administrator 
     shall make available for distribution and display at local 
     facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs outreach 
     materials regarding the Boots to Business Program which 
     shall, at a minimum--
         ``(i) describe the Boots to Business Program and the 
     services provided; and
         ``(ii) include eligibility requirements for participating 
     in the Boots to Business Program.
         ``(5) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this subsection and every year thereafter, 
     the Administrator shall submit to the Committee on Small 
     Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee 
     on Small Business of the House of Representatives a report on 
     the performance and effectiveness of the Boots to Business 
     Program, which may be included as part of another report 
     submitted to such Committees by the Administrator, and which 
     shall include--
         ``(A) information regarding grants awarded under 
     paragraph (4)(C);
         ``(B) the total cost of the Boots to Business Program;

[[Page H8798]]

         ``(C) the number of program participants using each 
     component of the Boots to Business Program;
         ``(D) the completion rates for each component of the 
     Boots to Business Program;
         ``(E) to the extent possible--
         ``(i) the demographics of program participants, to 
     include gender, age, race, relationship to military, military 
     occupational specialty, and years of service of program 
     participants;
         ``(ii) the number of small business concerns formed or 
     expanded with assistance under the Boots to Business Program;
         ``(iii) the gross receipts of small business concerns 
     receiving assistance under the Boots to Business Program;
         ``(iv) the number of jobs created with assistance under 
     the Boots to Business Program;
         ``(v) the number of referrals to other resources and 
     programs of the Administration;
         ``(vi) the number of program participants receiving 
     financial assistance under loan programs of the 
     Administration;
         ``(vii) the type and dollar amount of financial 
     assistance received by program participants under any loan 
     program of the Administration; and
         ``(viii) results of participant satisfaction surveys, 
     including a summary of any comments received from program 
     participants;
         ``(F) an evaluation of the effectiveness of the Boots to 
     Business Program in each region of the Administration during 
     the most recent fiscal year;
         ``(G) an assessment of additional performance outcome 
     measures for the Boots to Business Program, as identified by 
     the Administrator;
         ``(H) any recommendations of the Administrator for 
     improvement of the Boots to Business Program, which may 
     include expansion of the types of individuals who are covered 
     individuals;
         ``(I) an explanation of how the Boots to Business Program 
     has been integrated with other transition programs and 
     related resources of the Administration and other Federal 
     agencies; and
         ``(J) any additional information the Administrator 
     determines necessary.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Illinois (Mr. Schneider) and the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot) each 
will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Illinois.


                             General Leave

  Mr. SCHNEIDER. 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 measure under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Illinois?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 3537, the Veteran Entrepreneurship 
Training Act of 2019, and I thank Mr. Spano for joining me in 
introducing this legislation and helping lead this effort to improve 
the program to ensure veterans can continue to take advantage of the 
Boots to Business Program.
  It is an honor to be here today to celebrate and honor our Nation's 
veteran entrepreneurs. Just this week we celebrated Veterans Day and 
last week we marked National Veterans Small Business Week.
  Every member of the military has already demonstrated their love of 
country by committing everything, including potentially their lives, in 
the service of our Nation. When their service in uniform is completed, 
many veterans direct their passion to starting a business. Such 
dedication to Nation and community should be recognized every day. This 
is patriotism and not a partisan issue.
  That is why I am pleased that the Small Business Committee can once 
again highlight how we put aside the differences we may have in some 
areas and now bring these bipartisan bills to the floor today.
  Entrepreneurship has always been a bedrock of the American economy, 
particularly for our returning vets. That is why our committee is 
focused on bipartisan solutions to repay our veterans through policies 
designed to ease the risk of starting and running a business.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Chabot, 
as well as the committee staff, for working with us to increase the 
opportunities and resources for veteran entrepreneurs.
  H.R. 3537 bolsters the Small Business Administration's Boots to 
Business Program to enhance our ability to ensure that it is 
effectively serving aspiring veteran businessowners.
  There are approximately 2.5 million veteran-owned businesses 
generating $1 trillion in receipts. Such successes are a draw for many 
of the men and women leaving the service today to become their own 
bosses.
  Entrepreneurship provides a promising opportunity to continue serving 
their country, creating jobs in their local communities, while 
supporting their families.
  Empowering vets to succeed as entrepreneurs should be a viable option 
for people trained to lead, inspire, and achieve remarkable things. 
Their success spurs local economic development and demonstrates our 
commitment to their aspirations of entrepreneurship.
  But starting a business can be complex and sometimes daunting. The 
process can seem overwhelming, but programs like Boots to Business 
offer resources and assistance from experts, giving aspiring 
entrepreneurs the lessons of others' previous experience.
  Initially launched in 2012, the Boots to Business Program offers 
transitioning servicemembers and military spouses insights into self-
employment and business ownership. The Veterans Business Outreach 
Centers are trained and empowered to deliver these services to over 180 
military installations nationwide. In 2018, over 17,000 veterans, 
servicemembers, and military spouses participated in the 2-day course.
  Research has shown that servicemembers are distinctly qualified to 
start and run their own businesses. While serving in the military, they 
learn how to make good decisions in chaotic environments and are 
natural, confident, and driven leaders.
  Each year, more than 200,000 servicemembers make the transition from 
military to civilian life. Transition assistance is critical to ensure 
that those who serve in the military have opportunities for meaningful 
employment.
  H.R. 3537 addresses the many issues we have heard from veterans by 
updating many aspects of the program and also offering certainty by 
codifying it for the next 5 years.
  Mr. Speaker, I again thank Mr. Spano and the committee for their work 
on this important bill. I urge Members to support this bipartisan piece 
of legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I 
rise in support of H.R. 3537, the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act 
of 2019.
  Mr. Speaker, before I speak on the bill, I want to again thank 
Chairwoman Velazquez, who is unable to be with us, so then the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider), for running our committee in 
such a bipartisan fashion.
  Today we have yet another strong package of five bills that are fully 
bipartisan. So, again, I want to make sure that we recognize that we 
all have a seat at the table on that committee.
  Today's five bills focus on our Nation's heroes, our veterans, 
service-disabled veterans, reservists, National Guard members, and 
their spouses.
  Last month, four veterans testified before our committee and reminded 
us of the incredible contributions those who have served our country 
make. They have made extraordinary sacrifices, put their lives on the 
line, and kept our country safe.
  Their service to our Nation doesn't always stop when they separate 
from the military. Increasingly, veterans are choosing to open their 
own small businesses.
  Research has shown that servicemembers are especially qualified to 
start running their own firms. While serving in the military, they 
learn to make good decisions in chaotic circumstances, and are 
confident, driven, and natural leaders.
  There are a myriad of programs and services across the Federal 
Government that assist veterans who start businesses after leaving the 
military.
  At the Small Business Committee, we have the unique opportunity to 
support our Nation's veterans as they embark on their next adventure: 
business ownership. The SBA offers funding, training, and Federal 
contracting resources tailored to meet the needs of our veterans. We 
are committed to making the SBA's programs and services more accessible 
to our Nation's veteran entrepreneurs.
  At the hearing from earlier this year titled, ``Continuing to Serve: 
From

[[Page H8799]]

Military to Entrepreneur,'' we heard firsthand from veteran small 
business owners that entrepreneurship has empowered current and former 
servicemembers and their spouses. The Boots to Business Program is a 
first step in their journey.
  Originally launched in 2012, the Boots to Business Program offers 
transitioning servicemembers and military spouses information about 
self-employment and business ownership. Participants complete a 2-day, 
in-person entrepreneurship program and can access additional training 
through online courses.
  H.R. 3537, the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2019, 
codifies the Boots to Business Program, solidifying a crucial piece of 
veteran entrepreneurs' support network. Through this program, 
participants are introduced to the SBA and its resource partners, who 
will have their back as they experience new challenges of business 
ownership.
  The program's success is a statement to interagency collaboration, 
and we can give veterans the holistic support they deserve.
  Mr. Speaker, this bill is another product of our committee's 
bipartisan cooperation, as I mentioned before, and I would like to 
thank the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider) and the gentleman 
from Florida (Mr. Spano) for working together to increase business 
opportunities for our Nation's heroes.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Florida (Mr. Spano), and I want to thank him for his 
leadership on this legislation.
  Mr. SPANO. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Chabot for yielding.
  I rise today in support of the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act 
of 2019, a bill that I was proud to introduce with Representative 
Schneider.
  This bill authorizes the Boots to Business Program for 5 years, which 
provides educational opportunities to veterans and their families on 
how to start and manage their own small businesses.
  Veterans often have the natural temperament and experience to be 
successful entrepreneurs. They are trained to be confident leaders and 
they know how to make tough decisions in very, very difficult 
environments. However, many veterans often retire from the service with 
all the right tools but lack the knowledge on how to apply them in the 
business world. The Boots to Business Program fills this gap.
  As a pilot program, it provides a number of opportunities to educate 
veterans in entrepreneurship. The flagship offering of the program is 
the Introduction to Entrepreneurship course, a 2-day, in-person 
training on the fundamental principles of business ownership.
  Specifically, the course teaches participants how to recognize 
business opportunities, create a business plan, and consider the legal 
and financial aspects of how to operate a business. This allows 
veterans to come to the course with the beginnings of a business idea 
and leave with the tools to turn it into a viable business model.
  Boots to Business also follows up this introductory course with more 
in-depth educational opportunities on specific topics, such as 
conducting market research and revenue readiness.
  Beyond these educational opportunities, Boots to Business provides 
veteran entrepreneurs access to free consultants for follow-up 
questions and to help them navigate loan programs offered by the Small 
Business Administration.
  I have personally seen the positive impacts of the Boots to Business 
Program in my district. Introduction to Entrepreneurship classes are 
regularly offered at MacDill Air Force Base, and so far, 100 courses 
have been given throughout Florida.
  The program has been a great benefit to the veterans in my community, 
and I am confident that it will continue to benefit veterans across the 
country.
  Mr. Speaker, the bill passed unanimously from the Small Business 
Committee, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the 
gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Balderson), and I want to commend him for his 
leadership on this as well.
  Mr. BALDERSON. Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in support of a bill I 
cosponsored, H.R. 3537, the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act.
  This bill would authorize the Boots to Business Program, which helps 
our Nation's veterans who are transitioning back into the workforce 
launch and grow their small businesses.
  Our Nation just celebrated Veterans Day, and while it is a wonderful 
way for us to show our appreciation for those who have served the 
United States honorably, it is also important we honor those veterans 
year-round.
  We must never forget our highest commitment, which is to support our 
servicemembers, veterans, and their families.
  The Boots to Business Program is one such way we can do that for our 
veterans, by providing them with the tools and resources they need to 
be successful entrepreneurs in our modern world.
  The Boots to Business Program is an important way for our country to 
support two fundamentally American values: small business and military 
service.

  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 3537.
  Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further Members seeking time. If 
the gentleman is prepared to close, we will close now.
  Mr. Speaker, I want to commend, again, the gentleman from Illinois 
(Mr. Schneider) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Spano) and Mr. 
Balderson for their leadership on this bill, which works to increase 
business opportunities for our Nation's veterans.
  As Mr. Balderson just mentioned, many of us attended various Veterans 
Day events earlier this week, and I think he is absolutely right: this 
is something where we can continue every day of the year to help those 
who really do seek to start a business, to grow a business, and create 
more jobs for veterans and for other members of American society.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge its support. It is bipartisan legislation. It 
supports our Nation's veterans.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. 
Again, I want to thank my colleague, the ranking member, from Ohio.
  By developing new products, advancing research, and creating new 
markets, entrepreneurs are a vital force in our economy. Over the 
years, we have repeatedly seen the important role veterans play in this 
process.
  Due to their leadership, training, perseverance, knowledge of 
procurement processes, and other skills acquired in the military, 
veterans are often exceptionally well qualified to launch and manage 
their own business. In fact, veterans own one in ten small firms in our 
country and support more than 5 million jobs.
  Despite being positioned to succeed as entrepreneurs, servicemembers 
transitioning into civilian life face obstacles starting their own 
small business.
  The Boots to Business Program is designed to alleviate these 
challenges by providing a path to entrepreneurship for veterans without 
compelling them to attend business school, which could mean more time 
away from their families.
  Boots to Business is unlike any other entrepreneurial development 
program offered by the SBA, because its curriculum focuses on educating 
servicemembers about the basic concepts of business, SBA resources, 
real world insight, and how to manage expectations, and it is directly 
tied in to their transition programming.
  The Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act not only codifies the 
program for the next 5 years, but also ensures that the information is 
accessible and readily available to all servicemembers wishing to test 
the waters of entrepreneurship.

                              {time}  1300

  At our hearing on the bill, Retired Army Captain Scott Davidson 
perhaps

[[Page H8800]]

put it best when he described Boots to Business as helping 
servicemembers take a ``step in the direction of entrepreneurship and 
foster and channel the warrior ethos that had them succeed in the 
military to boost success in the boardroom.''
  H.R. 3537 is a commonsense move and one supported by The American 
Legion.
  I, again, thank my colleague Mr. Spano for joining me in introducing 
this legislation.
  We all duly and respectfully observed Veterans Day on Monday. Every 
day, we must reinforce our obligation to servicemembers by giving them 
the education and tools to seize the opportunity of entrepreneurship.
  Again, I thank the chairwoman and ranking member for their support, 
and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 3537.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. SCHNEIDER. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The yeas and nays were ordered.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further 
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

                          ____________________