[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 192 (Tuesday, November 2, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H6093-H6094]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER CYBER TRAINING ACT OF 2021

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 4515) to amend the Small Business Act to require cyber 
certification for small business development center counselors, and for 
other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4515

       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 Development 
     Center Cyber Training Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. DUTIES OF SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER 
                   COUNSELORS.

       Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(o) Cyber Strategy Training for Small Business 
     Development Centers.--
       ``(1) Definitions.--In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `cyber strategy' means resources and tactics 
     to assist in planning for cybersecurity and defending against 
     cyber risks and cyber attacks; and
       ``(B) the term `lead small business development center' 
     means a small business development center that has received a 
     grant from the Administration.
       ``(2) Certification program.--The Administrator shall 
     establish a cyber counseling certification program, or 
     approve a similar existing program, to certify the employees 
     of lead small business development centers to provide cyber 
     planning assistance to small business concerns.
       ``(3) Number of certified employees.--The Administrator 
     shall ensure that the number of employees of each lead small 
     business development center who are certified in providing 
     cyber planning assistance under this subsection is not fewer 
     than the lesser of--
       ``(A) 5; or
       ``(B) 10 percent of the total number of employees of the 
     lead small business development center.
       ``(4) Consideration of small business development center 
     cyber strategy.--In carrying out this subsection, the 
     Administrator, to the extent practicable, shall consider any 
     cyber strategy methods included in the Small Business 
     Development Center Cyber Strategy developed under section 
     1841(a) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
     Year 2017 (Public Law 114-328; 130 Stat. 2662).
       ``(5) Reimbursement for certification.--
       ``(A) In general.--Subject to the availability of 
     appropriations and subparagraph (B), the Administrator shall 
     reimburse a lead small business development center for costs 
     relating to the certification of an employee of the lead 
     small business development center under the program 
     established under paragraph (2).
       ``(B) Limitation.--The total amount reimbursed by the 
     Administrator under subparagraph (A) may not exceed $350,000 
     in any fiscal year.''.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Velazquez) and the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. 
Luetkemeyer) 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 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 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.

                              {time}  1330

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 4515, the Small Business 
Development Center Cyber Training Act. This legislation will enable 
Small Business Development Centers, SBDCs, to better assist small 
businesses with their cybersecurity needs.
  Small businesses often lack the resources, training, or technical 
knowledge to prevent a cyberattack before it happens. In the past year 
alone, 47 percent of small businesses experienced a cyberattack, and 
out of those, 44 percent experienced more than one.
  A cyberattack can cripple a small business, and the repercussions can 
be felt across the supply chain. In fact, the cost of a single breach 
can cost upwards of $200,000 or more. During hearings over the years, 
my committee has heard heartbreaking stories of how just one 
cyberattack forced companies to close their doors permanently.
  Today's legislation takes action to provide much-needed resources to 
any small company, whether it is our local pizza shop or an independent 
Uber driver, to educate and protect themselves from growing cybercrime.
  Because SBDCs have a proven record of understanding the needs of 
small businesses, H.R. 4515 would establish a cyber counseling 
certification program in SBDCs to provide specific, free-of-charge 
cyber training for small entities.
  The cyber training provided by the nationwide network of SBDCs will 
offer crucial resources for small employers to plan and implement 
cybersecurity protections and combat cyberattacks.
  I thank my colleagues, Mr.  Andrew Garbarino from New York, Mr.   
Steve Chabot from Ohio, and Mr. Dwight Evans and Ms. Chrissy Houlahan 
from Pennsylvania, for their work on this bill. I am confident that the 
bipartisan work of the Small Business Committee will better fortify our 
Nation's cyber infrastructure.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve 
the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume, and I rise in support of H.R. 4515, the Small Business 
Development Center Cyber Training Act of 2021.
  Small Business Development Centers, or SBDCs, perform numerous 
important roles for small businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs. They 
are also

[[Page H6094]]

on the front lines, assisting small business owners with business plans 
and questions regarding access to capital.
  Unfortunately, cyberattacks are on the rise, and small businesses 
remain vulnerable. H.R. 4515 requires SBDCs to be better equipped and 
trained to assist small businesses with their cybersecurity needs.
  More attention needs to be given to small businesses and how they 
deal with cyber intrusions. Empowering SBDCs is one way to do this.
  I thank the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino), the gentleman 
from Pennsylvania (Mr. Evans), the gentleman from Ohio (Mr. Chabot), 
and the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan) for their work on 
this bill. I also thank the chair for continuing to act on legislation 
dealing with cybersecurity, one of the most critical issues facing us 
today.
  Overall, these are crucial and important issues facing small 
businesses, and I am grateful for the gentlewoman's partnership on this 
bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to support H.R. 4515, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from 
Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan).
  Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking 
Member Luetkemeyer for the opportunity to support this bill.
  I rise in support of H.R. 4515, the Small Business Development Center 
Cyber Training Act, which increases the ability of Small Business 
Development Centers across our country to provide cybersecurity 
planning assistance and counseling to small businesses. This important 
bill requires that at least five staff members, or 10 percent of the 
total number of employees, in each Small Business Development Center in 
the country are certified in cybersecurity planning and assistance.
  My community is fortunate to have two Small Business Development 
Centers, one in Reading and one in Exton. As a former entrepreneur 
myself before joining Congress, I know intimately and firsthand how 
important these centers are. I am grateful for their commitment to help 
entrepreneurs get their businesses off the ground, establish 
themselves, and ultimately to thrive. With the enactment of this 
bipartisan bill, they will be able to help more small businesses in 
southeastern Pennsylvania defend against cyberattacks.
  I want to make the following clear to everyone in Congress and across 
America: If we are not protecting our small businesses, we are not 
protecting our economy. The rise in cyberattacks against our economy 
and our economic infrastructure should be cause for very serious alarm. 
We need to be doing everything in our power to not only shore up our 
defense but also to equip our small business owners with the tools that 
they need to defend their businesses.
  I was proud to introduce this bipartisan bill with my colleagues,  
Andrew Garbarino from New York,   Steve Chabot from Ohio, and my friend 
and colleague from Pennsylvania, Dwight Evans. I thank the Small 
Business Committee chair, Nydia Velazquez, again for helping bring this 
important bill to a vote in the House today.
  I urge my colleagues to join me and to vote ``yes'' on this very 
important bill.
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to 
the gentleman from New York (Mr. Garbarino).
  Mr. GARBARINO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman and ranking member 
for allowing this bill, the Small Business Development Center Cyber 
Training Act, to come to the floor today. I also want to thank the 
Representatives for their support who are cosponsors: Representatives 
Evans, Chabot, Houlahan, Phillips, Tenney, Delgado, Rice, and 
Gottheimer.
  Cyberattacks are on the rise, and small businesses are increasingly 
vulnerable. Nearly 50 percent of cyberattacks are directed at small 
businesses, which can result in devastating financial, intellectual 
property, and reputational loss.
  Small businesses are targeted because they often lack the resources 
or technical knowledge needed to implement and maintain cybersecurity 
defenses. This bill combats this by helping Small Business Development 
Centers become better equipped to assist small businesses and their 
cybersecurity and cyber strategy needs.
  Combating cyberattacks and putting small businesses in the best 
position to prevent and respond to cyberattacks has become one of my 
top priorities as a Member of Congress. As a member of both the Small 
Business Committee and the ranking member of the Committee on Homeland 
Security's Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, 
and Innovation, I have seen how difficult it is for small businesses to 
arm themselves against these kinds of attacks.
  This bill provides much-needed resources to help small businesses 
improve their cyber preparedness in the face of rising threats. I urge 
my colleagues to support and pass H.R. 4515.
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, we must take a serious look at how businesses are 
impacted by cyberattacks. Small businesses operate on thin margins. 
Thus, a cyber intrusion could be a lethal blow to them.
  SBDCs must be ready to assist all small businesses where cyber 
questions arise. This is a smart and commonsense bill that should move 
forward.
  I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4515 and all the small business 
bills that have been before us today. Each bill tackles important 
issues facing American job creators.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, our national cybersecurity infrastructure is only as 
strong as our weakest links. America's small companies need the same 
cybersecurity protections as Fortune 500 businesses and the Federal 
Government but often lack the resources.
  This bill would go a long way in assisting small businesses with 
their cybersecurity needs. The training and resources provided by SBDCs 
will offer crucial resources for small businesses to plan and implement 
cybersecurity protections and minimize the damage of cyber incidents.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this important 
legislation, and 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. 4515.
  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. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion 
are postponed.

                          ____________________