[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 36 (Wednesday, February 28, 2024)]
[House]
[Pages H728-H730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




            NATIVE AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and 
pass the bill (H.R. 7102) to establish an Office of Native American 
Affairs within 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. 7102

       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 ``Native American 
     Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act''.

     SEC. 2. OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

       The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 49 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) as 
     section 50; and
       (2) by inserting after section 48 (15 U.S.C. 657u) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 49. OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

       ``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Assistant administrator.--The term `Assistant 
     Administrator' means the Assistant Administrator for Native 
     American Affairs appointed under subsection (c).
       ``(2) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the 
     meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 8(a)(13).
       ``(3) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native 
     Hawaiian Organization' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 8(a)(15).
       ``(4) Office.--The term `Office' means the Office of Native 
     American Affairs described in this section.
       ``(b) Establishment.--
       ``(1) In general.--There is established within the 
     Administration the Office of Native American Affairs, which 
     shall be responsible for establishing a working relationship 
     with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations by 
     targeting programs of the Administration relating to 
     entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access 
     to--
       ``(A) establish or expand small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by individuals who are members of Indian Tribes or 
     Native Hawaiian Organizations; and
       ``(B) promote economic development in Indian country (as 
     defined in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code).
       ``(2) Connection with other programs.--To the extent 
     reasonable, the Office shall educate Indian Tribes and Native 
     Hawaiian Organizations about programs administered by other 
     Federal agencies related to the interests described in 
     paragraph (1).
       ``(c) Assistant Administrator.--The Office shall be headed 
     by an Assistant Administrator for Native American Affairs, 
     who shall--
       ``(1) be appointed by and report to the Administrator;
       ``(2) have knowledge of Native American cultures and 
     experience providing culturally tailored small business 
     development assistance to Native Americans;
       ``(3) provide assistance to Indian Tribes and Native 
     Hawaiian Organizations and small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by individuals who are members of Indian Tribes or 
     Native Hawaiian Organizations;
       ``(4) formulate policies, and promote policies and existing 
     programs, to better address the entrepreneurial, capital 
     access, business development, and contracting needs of 
     persons described in paragraph (3);
       ``(5) collaborate with Associate Administrators within the 
     Administration and officials of other Federal agencies to 
     develop policies and plans to implement programs of the 
     Administration to holistically address the needs described in 
     paragraph (4);
       ``(6) provide assistance, including grants, contracts, 
     cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance, to 
     Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations, or to 
     private

[[Page H729]]

     nonprofit organizations governed by members of Indian Tribes 
     or Native Hawaiian Organizations that have the experience and 
     capability to use the assistance to--
       ``(A) deploy training, counseling, workshops, educational 
     outreach, and supplier events; and
       ``(B) access the entrepreneurial, capital, and contracting 
     programs of the Administration;
       ``(7) assist the Administrator in conducting, or conduct, 
     Tribal consultation to solicit input and facilitate 
     discussion of potential modifications to programs and 
     procedures of the Administration; and
       ``(8) recommend annual budgets for the Office.
       ``(d) Report to Congress.--On an annual basis until the 
     termination date, the Assistant Administrator shall submit to 
     Congress a report on the effectiveness of the Office of 
     Native American Affairs that includes the number of clients 
     served in Tribal communities, the number of consultations 
     conducted, and the number of trainings held in Tribal 
     country.
       ``(e) Termination.--The authority under this section shall 
     terminate seven years after the date of the enactment of this 
     section.''.

     SEC. 3. 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 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 yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  I rise today in support of H.R. 7102, the Native American 
Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, introduced by Representatives Davids 
of Kansas and Crane of Arizona.
  This bill would codify into law the Office of Native American 
Affairs, which has been providing services like counseling, training, 
and Tribal consultations for many years.
  Additionally, this bill installs specific reporting requirements from 
the office. If we are going to be spending taxpayer dollars providing a 
service, it is critical we understand how effectively the services are 
being performed.
  This bill would not appropriate any additional funds or expand 
government in any way, but it would provide Congress with better 
oversight and performance metrics to ensure that this office is 
performing to its fullest extent.
  Native American entrepreneurs, Tribal-owned corporations, and Native 
American small businesses are vital to their local economics.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Davids and Representative Crane 
for their work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7102, 
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 that we are considering H.R. 7102, the 
Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act.
  Let me begin by commending Ms. Davids for her leadership and 
bipartisan efforts to codify the Office of Native American Affairs at 
SBA. She is a valued member of the Committee on Small Business and has 
remained committed to working with stakeholders to make this bill a 
reality.
  The office has been a tremendous resource for American Indians, 
Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians seeking to launch and grow their 
small businesses. Throughout the year, it engages in several outreach 
activities, including consultations, development and distribution of 
promotional materials, and participation in national economic 
development conferences.
  Codifying the office would ensure that Tribal small businesses have 
access to SBA's full range of business development tools regardless of 
the administration.
  Importantly, the legislation requires that the assistant 
administrator report directly to the Administrator, ensuring the voice 
of the Tribal communities will be heard at SBA.
  I also thank Mr. Crane for joining Ms. Davids in her efforts, and I 
strongly support this legislation.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support the bill, and I reserve the 
balance of my time.
  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may 
consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Crane).
  Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co-introduce this legislation to 
officially establish the Office of Native American Affairs at the Small 
Business Administration, and I thank Representative Davids for her 
leadership on this issue.
  Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent over half of Arizona's Tribes. 
Something I hear often is there is a need for economic growth and 
opportunity.
  Tribal entrepreneurs who run businesses on reservations face complex 
hurdles when it comes to understanding tax implications, property 
rights, regulatory burdens, and lending. Tribal entrepreneurs should 
have the ability to access SBA's programs just like anyone else, but in 
reality, these communities do not experience adequate access or 
outreach.
  Most importantly, they need specialized expertise to assist them in 
navigating the unique complexities of running a business on a 
reservation--complexities mostly created by us, the Federal Government.
  Economic development in our Tribal communities is crucial. I am 
hopeful that establishing the Office of Native American Affairs into 
statute will bring attention to resources the Small Business 
Administration can provide to Tribal businessowners and encourage the 
office to continue developing new methods for outreach to ensure that 
Tribal businesses are not overlooked. This bill would also ensure that 
Congress can practice proper oversight of the office's activities and 
effectiveness going forward.
  I encourage representatives from this office to come out and visit 
Tribal communities in my district and begin a dialogue with small 
business owners who may be unaware that this office even exists. Doing 
so will allow the Office of Native American Affairs to adjust and 
enhance their programs so they can best serve Tribal small business 
owners.
  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, it is no secret that our Nation's entrepreneurs face 
challenges in starting and operating small businesses. Finding a 
skilled workforce, establishing an effective online presence, and 
building a customer base are hurdles common to all small business 
owners.
  However, our Native American small business owners face these 
challenges in a more severe way. Today, I will highlight a few reasons 
for that disparity.
  First, Native Americans are twice as likely to live in poverty as 
compared to other Americans. This significantly impacts their ability 
to use savings and assets to fund their small businesses, to access 
credit, and to take on the risk of entrepreneurship.
  Second, these businessowners face geographical barriers, with longer 
distances for supply deliveries and a lack of reliable broadband and 
telephone service. These physical obstacles make networking, finding 
mentors, and reaching out to a consumer base a bit more difficult, 
ultimately reducing their chances of success.
  Third, Native Americans who are entrepreneurs often face greater 
hurdles in attracting private investment and accessing Federal 
contracting opportunities. Addressing these challenges is crucial to 
leveling the playing field for Tribal small business communities and 
bolstering our overall economy.
  Currently, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Native 
American Affairs works diligently to connect Native businessowners with 
entrepreneurial development, lending, and procurement programs. 
However, the absence of a congressional mandate for this office limits 
its capacity and

[[Page H730]]

leaves it vulnerable to changes from one administration to the next.
  That is why we really need to pass this Native American 
Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act. This bill would codify the SBA's 
Office of Native American Affairs into Federal law, establishing an 
assistant administrator role to oversee operations and report directly 
to SBA leadership. It would also require the office to report to 
Congress on its successes in Indian Country.
  Native-owned businesses employ over 300,000 Americans and are vital 
drivers of our national economy. These Tribal businesses deserve a seat 
at the table to advocate not only for the challenges that I mentioned 
earlier but also for the successes and achievements that they have.
  Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Crane, my Republican colleague and 
co-lead on this, for his partnership in introducing this bill. I urge 
Members on both sides of the aisle to stand united in support of this 
crucial legislation and vote in favor of successful entrepreneurship in 
Tribal communities.
  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. 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 yield myself the balance of my time.
  Mr. Speaker, Native American-owned businesses are powerful economic 
engines, contributing over $33 billion to the U.S. economy every year 
and employing more than 200,000 people in their communities.

                              {time}  1800

  By enhancing the Office of Native American Affairs, SBA will be able 
to work on behalf of Indian Country and better target resources to 
Indian Tribes.
  I once again thank Representatives Davids and Crane for their 
bipartisan work to provide assistance to these critically important 
businesses and entrepreneurs.
  Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support 
this commonsense legislation brought to us by Congresswoman Davids and 
Congressman Crane, 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 rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 7102.
  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. WILLIAMS of Texas. 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.

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