[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 136 (Tuesday, September 3, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E859]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF THE PACIFIC DEFENSE SMALL BUSINESS INCENTIVE ACT OF 
                                  2024

                                 ______
                                 

                  HON. GREGORIO KILILI CAMACHO SABLAN

                      of northern mariana islands

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, September 3, 2024

  Mr. SABLAN. Mr. Speaker, today, I introduce the Pacific Defense Small 
Business Incentive Act of 2024, which would allow small businesses in 
the Pacific Insular Areas to become more active participants in the 
defense industrial base. Specifically, my legislation would authorize 
an incentive payment equal to five percent of a Department of Defense 
contract to prime contractors who subcontract to a small business 
concern in the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, or American Samoa.
  Providing access to defense contracts is critical, especially as the 
United States continues to execute its Indo-Pacific strategy, promoting 
a free-and-open region and defending Pacific Island interests. 
Empowering our small businesses located at the forefront of the Indo-
Pacific will not only streamline defense projects and initiatives but 
will also spur local economic growth in our U.S. Pacific Insular Areas.
  My bill, the Pacific Defense Small Business Incentive Act, seeks to 
bridge the gap between Pacific-based entrepreneurs and prime 
contractors throughout the United States by incentivizing strategic 
partnerships. Continued defense buildup in areas like the Marianas 
further necessitates the need for local business participation. This 
bipartisan legislation provides an impetus for contracting like the 
Indian Incentive Program authorized by Congress in 1988, which has been 
considerably impactful for Native American and Native Hawaiian small 
business concerns.
  The DOD Office of Small Business Programs under the Biden 
Administration has emphasized that America's small businesses are 
``essential to U.S. national security'' and the ``heartbeat of the U.S. 
economy''. I could not agree more but add that Pacific small businesses 
are indeed America's small businesses.
  The gentlelady from American Samoa, Ms. Radewagen, is an original 
cosponsor of the bill. I urge all my colleagues to consider this 
crucial legislation and the elevation of Pacific small businesses in 
defense contracting.

                          ____________________