[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 76 (Thursday, May 4, 2023)]
[Senate]
[Page S1543]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF THE WEEK OF APRIL 30, 2023, 
        THROUGH MAY 6, 2023, AS ``NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK''

  Mr. CARDIN. Mr. President, I rise today as chair of the Small 
Business and Entrepreneurship Committee and on behalf of over 33 
million small businesses across the country to recognize National Small 
Business Week.
  When I complete my remarks, I am going to ask consent to pass S. Res. 
200, which has been cleared from the hotline, which is sponsored by me, 
Senator Ernst, and the distinguished Senator from New Jersey and a 
distinguished member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship 
Committee, our current Presiding Officer, Senator Booker. This is a 
resolution that recognizes the contributions of small businesses and 
entrepreneurs in every community in the United States.
  A lot has changed in the 60 years since the week was first celebrated 
in 1963, Small Business Week, but today, small businesses are as 
resilient as ever. They have faced immense challenges like COVID-19 and 
continue to serve their communities with great commitment and courage. 
Our small businesses deserve far more than a week of appreciation for 
all they do, but this week, we look forward to celebrating them and 
committing our full and unconditional support.
  Small businesses account for 99.9 percent of all U.S. businesses and 
employ nearly half of all U.S. workers. They are spearheaded by 
entrepreneurs like Lois Gamerman, from my home State of Maryland, who 
was hit hard during the pandemic but who pulled her business through to 
continue serving our great State. Her grit and resourcefulness earned 
her the 2023 Maryland Small Business Person of the Year. I congratulate 
Lois on that accomplishment.
  Lois saw an 85-percent loss in sales as the hospitality industry 
suffered during the pandemic. Her business, Soft Stuff Distributors, 
received help from the Small Business Administration's Paycheck 
Protection Program and the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan 
Program to keep its doors open.
  I thank all of my colleagues for their help in the passage of those 
two critically important bills--bipartisan efforts to keep our small 
businesses alive.
  Lois is just one example of many small businesses that are alive 
today because of the efforts that we did here in the U.S. Senate. Now 
Soft Stuff occupies 33,000 square feet of space and employs over 50 
individuals.
  For Lois and the millions of entrepreneurs who depend on these 
resources, we must double down and continue to fund the programs that 
help fuel their success. The ``Default on America Act'' that Speaker 
McCarthy unveiled last week would do exactly the opposite. It would 
cause the small businesses we love and need, to suffer. America needs 
to invest in our small businesses, not abandon them. If the ``Default 
on America Act'' were to become law, accessible capital for many 
entrepreneurs would diminish, and they would have nowhere to turn for 
assistance.
  In 2022, the SBA's entrepreneurial development programs served 1.2 
million small businesses. The ``Default on America Act'' proposes 
cutting spending to fiscal year 2022 levels. If spending for these 
critical programs is cut, the SBA would serve 125,000 fewer small 
businesses than in previous years; 125,000 American small businesses 
would be denied the resources and assistance that are critical to their 
survival.
  While many small business owners would find themselves struggling 
without necessary resources, entrepreneurs of color, women, rural, and 
other underserved small business owners in particular would feel the 
squeeze.
  Now is not the time to walk back our support. In fact, under the 
Biden-Harris administration, we have seen a small business boom. Today, 
there are more small business owners nationwide than ever, and now is 
the time to invest in them, to grow our economy from the middle out and 
the bottom-up, and to build on the small business boom.
  We must come together to keep our communities strong, not push for 
legislation that would cut jobs and harm the local shops we love. Part 
of keeping our communities strong is by ensuring that the Agencies 
serving them work efficiently and effectively. The Small Business 
Administration does essential work in supporting small businesses and 
their communities.
  For the sake of our small businesses, I ask my friends and colleagues 
on both sides of the aisle to come together so we can pass the long-
overdue reauthorization of the Small Business Administration. National 
Small Business Week is our chance to show our small businesses how 
valuable they are and to pledge our continued support.
  To all of America's small businesses and entrepreneurs, thank you for 
what you do this week and every week.
  Madam President, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to 
the consideration of S. Res. 200, which is at the desk.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER (Ms. Duckworth). The clerk will report the 
resolution by title.
  The legislative clerk read as follows:

       A resolution (S. Res. 200) expressing support for the 
     designation of the week of April 30, 2023, through May 6, 
     2023, as ``National Small Business Week'' to celebrate the 
     contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs in every 
     community in the United States.

  There being no objection, the Senate proceeded to consider the 
resolution.
  Mr. CARDIN. I ask unanimous consent that the resolution be agreed to, 
the preamble be agreed to, and that the motions to reconsider be 
considered made and laid upon the table with no intervening action or 
debate.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The resolution (S. Res. 200) was agreed to.
  The preamble was agreed to.
  (The resolution, with its preamble, is printed in today's Record 
under ``Submitted Resolutions.'')

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