[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 26, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H4474-H4475]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              {time}  1500
            SMALL BUSINESS ADVOCACY IMPROVEMENTS ACT OF 2022

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (H.R. 6454) 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. 6454

       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 2022''.

     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.''.

  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.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6454, the Small Business 
Advocacy Improvements Act of 2022.
  Established in 1976, SBA's Office of Advocacy is the independent 
voice for small businesses within the Federal Government. The office 
oversees the enforcement of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and is a 
source for statistics and research on matters pertaining to small 
businesses. Over the years, the Office of Advocacy's responsibilities 
have expanded, and participation in international regulatory 
cooperation and trade initiatives that impact small businesses is 
becoming increasingly important.
  H.R. 6454 makes it clear that the Office of Advocacy has the 
authority to examine international economic data and represent small 
businesses in international discussions, particularly in trade 
negotiations.
  I thank the ranking member and Mr. Carter for their bipartisan work 
on this bill.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 6454, the Small Business 
Advocacy Improvements Act of 2022.
  The Nation's regulatory environment directly impacts small businesses 
and America's entrepreneurs. With limited resources and staff, small 
business owners are often wearing many hats throughout the entire 
workday, including ensuring compliance with all Federal regulations. 
Now more than ever, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and startups need 
a strong advocate in Washington supporting them when it comes to 
regulations.
  My bill, which was favorably reported out of committee by a voice 
vote, will improve and enhance the Office of Advocacy. H.R. 6454 will 
ensure the office is able to speak on international and trade matters.
  In addition to passing out of committee earlier this year, this 
legislation also passed the House floor by voice vote in the 116th 
Congress. Congress has the ability to structurally enhance an executive 
branch office that

[[Page H4475]]

operates independently and reinforce it on behalf of small businesses.
  I thank my colleague, Representative Troy Carter from Louisiana, for 
working with me in a bipartisan manner to improve the SBA's Office of 
Advocacy. I also thank the chair for helping bring this legislation 
forward.
  Mr. Speaker, I recommend a ``yes'' vote on this bill that puts 
America's small businesses first.
  Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, I am prepared to close, and 
I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned earlier, the Nation is getting ready to 
celebrate National Small Business Week. This will be a time to honor 
and recognize Main Street USA. Additionally, it will be a time to hear 
from them about what is impacting their operations and what Congress 
can do to further support them.
  The five small business bills before us today take steps to enhance 
and support programs at the Small Business Administration, which is the 
sole Federal agency that was created to assist the Nation's smallest 
firms.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank the chair for working in a bipartisan manner to 
advance all these bills. I urge a ``yes'' vote on all of them, 
including H.R. 6454, and I yield back balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, SBA's Office of Advocacy works to ensure that small 
business interests are heard at all levels of government because, too 
often, their voices are drowned out by larger companies with 
sophisticated legal departments and armies of lobbyists.
  Now as the world becomes more and more connected, participating in 
the global economy is vital to small businesses' success. In order to 
do that, they need a strong voice advocating on their behalf. H.R. 6454 
will allow the office to advocate on behalf of small businesses in 
international discussions, trade negotiations, and examine 
international economic data.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' 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. 6454.
  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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