[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 195 (Tuesday, November 28, 2023)]
[House]
[Pages H5919-H5921]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      SUCCESSFUL ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR RESERVISTS AND VETERANS ACT

  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 4480) to require the Administrator of the Small 
Business Administration to report on the veterans interagency task 
force, to require the Comptroller General of the United States to 
report on access to credit for small business concerns owned and 
controlled by covered individuals, and for other purposes, as amended.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                               H.R. 4480

       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 ``Successful Entrepreneurship 
     for Reservists and Veterans Act'' or the ``SERV Act''.

     SEC. 2. REPORTING REQUIREMENT FOR VETERANS INTERAGENCY TASK 
                   FORCE.

       Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b(c)) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(4) Report.--Along with the budget justification 
     documents for the Small Business Administration submitted to 
     Congress in connection with the budget for a fiscal year 
     submitted under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, 
     the Administrator shall submit a report--
       ``(A) discussing the appointments made to and activities of 
     the task force; and
       ``(B) identifying and outlining a plan for outreach and 
     promotion of the programs and services for veterans, 
     including Veteran Business Outreach Centers, Boots to 
     Business, Boots to Business Reboot, Service-Disabled 
     Entrepreneurship Development Training Program, Veteran 
     Institute for Procurement, Women Veteran Entrepreneurship 
     Training Program, and Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of 
     Entrepreneurship.''.

     SEC. 3. GAO REPORT ON ACCESS TO CREDIT.

       (a) Report on Access to Credit.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit a report on the ability of small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by covered individuals 
     to access credit to--
       (A) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on 
     Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate; and
       (B) the Committee on Veterans' Affairs and the Committee on 
     Small Business of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall include, to the extent practicable, an analysis of--
       (A) the sources of credit used by small business concerns 
     owned and controlled by covered individuals and the average 
     percentage of the credit obtained from each source by such 
     concerns;
       (B) the default rate for small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by covered individuals, disaggregated by each 
     source of credit described in subparagraph (A), as compared 
     to the default rate for the source of credit for small 
     business concerns generally;
       (C) the Federal lending programs available to provide 
     credit to small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     covered individuals;
       (D) gaps, if any, in the availability of credit for small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by covered individuals 
     that are not being filled by the Federal Government or 
     private sources;
       (E) obstacles faced by covered individuals in trying to 
     access credit;
       (F) the extent to which deployment and other military 
     responsibilities affect the credit history of veterans and 
     Reservists; and
       (G) the extent to which covered individuals are aware of 
     Federal programs targeted towards helping covered individuals 
     access credit.
       (b) Definitions.--In this Act:
       (1) Covered individual.--The term ``covered individual'' 
     means--
       (A) a veteran;
       (B) a service-disabled veteran;
       (C) a Reservist;
       (D) the spouse of an individual described in subparagraph 
     (A), (B), or (C); or
       (E) the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.
       (2) Reservist.--The term ``Reservist'' means a member of a 
     reserve component of the Armed Forces, as described in 
     section 10101 of title 10, United States Code.
       (3) Small business act definitions.--The terms ``service-
     disabled veteran'', ``small business concern'', and 
     ``veteran'' have the meanings given those terms, 
     respectively, under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 632).

     SEC. 4. COMPLIANCE WITH CUTGO.

       No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from 
Texas (Mr. Williams) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.


                             General Leave

  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. 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.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Texas?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of H.R. 
4480, also known as the SERV Act, introduced by Representatives Davids 
of Kansas and Alford of Missouri.
  Our Nation's veterans have an incredible impact on our small business 
community. The skills veterans gained in the military make them leaders 
uniquely positioned to start and grow successful businesses. 
Unfortunately, veterans often face barriers when starting or growing 
their businesses which can feel insurmountable. In May, the Committee 
on Small Business heard directly from veterans on how access to capital 
as well as awareness of available resources are major barriers to them.
  The SERV Act seeks to identify these barriers and directs the 
Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development to create 
an action plan to improve outreach to veterans informing them of 
available resources to address their unique needs. If we are spending 
taxpayer dollars to help these individuals, then we must ensure they 
are making the greatest impact possible.
  Mr. Speaker, I, once again, thank the sponsors of this legislation, I 
urge my colleagues to support it, and I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 4480, the Successful 
Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act, also known as the 
SERV Act, as amended.
  Veteran entrepreneurs are powerful economic engines and job creators. 
More than 2.4 million veteran businessowners employ more than 5.7 
million Americans and contribute approximately $1.2 trillion annually 
to our GDP.
  With that said, one of the biggest challenges facing veteran-owned 
small businesses is access to capital. Servicemembers report that it 
can be difficult to build credit while serving in the military, and 
studies have shown that a higher percentage of veterans are turned down 
for loans.
  The SERV Act requires GAO to conduct a study on the availability of 
credit to veteran-owned, service-disabled-, and reservist-owned small 
businesses. The study would provide a report on the obstacles facing 
veterans, including the extent to which deployment and other military 
responsibilities affect their credit histories.
  Most importantly, it requires the SBA Interagency Task Force on 
Veterans Small Business Development to create an outreach plan to 
promote the many valuable programs available to help veteran small 
business owners.
  Representative Davids has been a staunch supporter of efforts to aid 
veteran entrepreneurs. She first introduced this legislation in the 
116th Congress, and it passed the House with broad bipartisan support.
  As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and 
Capital Access in the 117th Congress, she led efforts to make capital 
more affordable for all small firms.
  Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill to ensure Congress is 
working to address the challenges veteran small employers face, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1715

  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford).
  Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in favor of H.R. 4480 because, 
as Members of Congress, it is our duty to protect and support our 
Nation's veterans.

[[Page H5920]]

  Earlier this year, it was my distinct pleasure to have Lieutenant 
Commander Taylor Burks of Missouri's Fourth Congressional District and 
a former opponent of mine in the primary for this very congressional 
seat, testify at a Small Business Committee hearing on veteran 
entrepreneurship.
  We learned not only about the unique skill set veterans can bring to 
the small business environment, but also the obstacles they face when 
trying to open small businesses and live out the American Dream and the 
challenge of even finding the programs available through the Small 
Business Administration.
  It was very important for all Members to hear how the committee and 
the Small Business Administration can better serve those who have 
served our great Nation.
  As a result, my colleague Representative Sharice Davids of Kansas and 
I introduced the Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and 
Veterans, or SERV Act.
  This bipartisan legislation, which passed through the Small Business 
Committee unanimously, will help veteran small business owners and 
entrepreneurs succeed by studying the barriers when starting a 
business.
  This bill will commission a report on the outreach and promotion of 
existing veteran-focused small business programs to make sure that 
veterans can access all available resources, capital, and credit.
  There are programs out there, but a lot of veterans have never heard 
of them, such as the Veterans Business Outreach Centers, the Boots to 
Business program, and service-disabled veteran-owned small business 
contracting programs.
  This legislation also mandates the Interagency Task Force on Veterans 
Small Business Development to devise an outreach and promotion strategy 
for these programs and many others available to veterans transitioning 
into the business world.
  Veterans' service to our Nation should not end with difficulties in 
accessing capital and resources. With transparency and increased 
reporting, we can better ensure that they receive the support that they 
deserve.
  I am proud to co-lead the SERV Act with my neighboring district 
Representative and colleague, Congresswoman Sharice Davids of Kansas, 
to promote veteran entrepreneurship in our great Nation.
  This bill is a win for our districts. It is a win for veterans. It is 
a win for our Nation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this commonsense 
legislation.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to 
the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids).
  Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New 
York (Ms. Velazquez) for yielding.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak in strong support of the 
Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act, or the 
SERV Act, which I introduced alongside my friend and colleague from 
Missouri (Mr. Alford).
  The SERV Act not only honors our veterans; it honors their service. 
It empowers our veterans to embark on a new chapter as entrepreneurs 
and small business owners.
  My mom served in the Army for 20 years. My grandfather served, as 
well. Through them, I learned so much about service, about leadership, 
and certainly about the dedication to country.
  Our veterans have defended our freedoms from so many things and with 
unwavering commitment. We absolutely owe it to them to provide the 
support that they need to achieve personal and professional success as 
they return home.
  The SERV Act is a testament to that commitment that we have to the 
brave veterans that have served, and it is necessary because veterans 
do face distinct barriers when transitioning to civilian life, 
specifically when starting a business.
  Those challenges can include overcoming stigmas around physical 
disability or post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as difficulty 
accessing credit. It forces small businesses to sometimes turn to 
alternative lenders, which can be predatory or more expensive than 
traditional sources. While those challenges exist for all potential 
entrepreneurs and our small business owners, it can be especially 
difficult for our veterans who often have trouble accruing credit 
necessary to attract and attain capital.
  These barriers have led to a 35 percent decrease in veterans starting 
small businesses since World War II, and the U.S. Small Business 
Administration currently works closely with the VA and the Department 
of Defense on several excellent programs that we heard about from my 
colleague, Mr. Alford, specifically designed to help our veterans 
transition to civilian life and entrepreneurship, but those programs 
are not always as easy to find as they should be.
  The SERV Act recognizes those unique challenges and works to address 
them directly, fostering economic growth at the local level and 
harnessing the immense potential that our veteran communities have.
  One key provision of this legislation is the commission of a 
Government Accountability Office report on the ability of veterans and 
reservists to access capital and credit, which are crucial building 
blocks to opening a business.
  This report would include analysis on common sources of credit and 
how deployment of credit impacts our servicemembers and their 
individual credit.
  Moreover, the bill requires an Interagency Task Force at the SBA to 
develop an action plan for greater outreach of programs that already 
exist for veterans transitioning into the business world. That task 
force would report its findings annually to Congress on how the SBA can 
better support veterans, service-disabled veterans, reservists, and 
their families.

  The district I represent in Kansas includes a large rural population, 
and we know that businesses with fewer than 500 employees account for a 
majority of our rural establishments and employers.
  By supporting our veteran entrepreneurs and making it easier for them 
to start small businesses, we are boosting local economies in both 
urban and rural settings. I often say that due to the specialized 
training and learned skill set, there are few people that are as well 
suited to start and operate a small business as our veterans.
  The SERV Act is going to help those folks who served in uniform do 
just that. By providing enhanced access to SBA resources and programs, 
we are investing in the entrepreneurial spirit of our veterans. We are 
fostering economic growth. We are strengthening our communities.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues, alongside my friend, Mr. Alford, 
on both sides of the aisle to stand united in support of this crucial 
legislation which did pass the House in a largely bipartisan way in the 
last Congress.
  Let us send a powerful message to our veterans that we appreciate 
their service, their sacrifice, and that we are dedicated to helping 
them succeed in their endeavors, both while serving and after they hang 
up their uniform.
  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I 
reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, our country is experiencing a small 
business boom and veteran entrepreneurship is helping to lead the way.
  SBA offers a number of counseling and training programs that can help 
them either launch or grow a small business. It is vitally important 
that we increase the awareness of SBA programs and services, 
particularly among veterans.
  I applaud Ms. Davids and Mr. Alford for their commitment to our 
Nation's veterans, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4480, as 
amended.
  Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Chairman Williams for bringing these 
six bills to the floor and for working in a bipartisan manner. I yield 
back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 4480 is a step in the right 
direction. It is about our veterans, and what is more important than 
our veterans. Congressman Alford and Congresswoman Davids have it 
right. It needs to be passed. We need to pass it tonight.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Velazquez for her support, and I 
yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) that the House suspend the

[[Page H5921]]

rules and pass the bill, H.R. 4480, as amended.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

                          ____________________