    [Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2025)]
    [House]
    [Pages H745-H746]
    From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

                      RURAL SMALL BUSINESS RESILIENCE ACT

      Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
    pass the bill (H.R. 804) to require the Administrator of the Small
    Business Administration to improve access to disaster assistance for
    individuals located in rural areas, and for other purposes.
      The Clerk read the title of the bill.
      The text of the bill is as follows:

                                    H.R. 804

           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 ``Rural Small Business
         Resilience Act''.

         SEC. 2. ACCESS TO DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS LOCATED
                       IN RURAL AREAS.

           Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
         this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business
         Administration shall ensure that the Associate Administrator
         of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience of the
         Administration takes such actions as necessary to ensure that
         individuals located in rural areas (as defined in paragraph
         (16) of section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
         636(b)(16))) for which a disaster declaration has been made
         under such section 7(b) have full access to assistance
         provided under such section, including by providing targeted
         outreach and marketing materials to such individuals.

         SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.

           The second paragraph (16) (relating to statute of
         limitations) of section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15
         U.S.C. 636(b)) is redesignated as paragraph (17).

      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.

                                  {time}  1700

                                 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.
      Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 804, the Rural Small
    Business Resilience Act, led by my colleagues, Representatives
    Morrison, Downing, Pappas, and Bean.
      As we look ahead to the summer months, many Americans are eager for
    the warm weather and sunshine, but with that comes the reality that
    hurricane season is approaching. Many communities, particularly in
    rural America, are still working to recover from the devastating storms
    of last season, even as we prepare for the next.
      Too often, small businesses and disaster survivors in rural
    communities are unaware of the critical assistance the SBA provides
    after disasters. That assistance can be the difference between staying
    open or shutting down for good.
      Rural small businesses face unique challenges. Disaster recovery
    efforts must be tailored to meet the needs of rural America to ensure
    they have access to the full range of resources and support. The Rural
    Small Business Resilience Act is critical to ensuring SBA disaster
    assistance is tailored to the needs of rural America.
      As someone who spent a lifetime in business, I know that getting the
    correct information to the right people at the right time is key. This
    bill will ensure disaster survivors in rural communities are not left
    in the dark when they need help the most.
      I urge all my colleagues to vote for H.R. 804, and I reserve the
    balance of my time.
      Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
    consume.
      Mr. Speaker, today we are considering H.R. 804, which would require
    the SBA to close out the GAO recommendation ensuring that individuals
    in rural areas where a disaster declaration has been made have full
    access to assistance, including targeted outreach and marketing
    materials. SBA would have 1 year to close out the recommendation.
      On February 22, 2024, GAO issued a report examining how SBA's
    disaster loan program assists communities after disasters. GAO found
    that rural areas have characteristics that make recovery difficult, and
    they face challenges in seeking SBA disaster assistance.
      While the SBA had taken steps to address challenges to recovery,
    including portable outreach centers, virtual outreach, and a whole-of-
    SBA approach, GAO recommended that SBA distinguish between urban and
    rural communities in its outreach and marketing plan and take actions
    to mitigate the challenges encountered by rural communities.
      This bill prioritizes SBA's efforts to close out this GAO
    recommendation and focus on our Nation's rural communities.
      I commend Dr. Morrison, Mr. Downing, Mr. Pappas, and Mr. Bean for
    their work on this bill.
      Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
      Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
      Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
    Minnesota (Ms. Morrison).
      Ms. MORRISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation,
    H.R. 804, the Rural Small Business Resilience Act.
      As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Rural Development,
    Energy, and Supply Chains, I am pleased to put forward this
    commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will ensure rural small
    businesses can operate on a level playing field.
      This bill requires the Small Business Administration to ensure that
    small businesses located in rural areas have full access to SBA
    disaster assistance in the wake of a natural disaster.
      The SBA's disaster loan program serves as a lifeline for small
    business owners in need of capital to repair, rebuild, and recover from
    of the physical and economic losses of a natural disaster.
      Unfortunately, the Government Accountability Office recently found
    that rural communities face unique barriers that inhibit recovery from
    severe weather events like hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires.
      A lack of reliable broadband, cellular service, or physical
    infrastructure can make it more difficult for small business owners in
    these communities to learn about and apply for disaster assistance.
      We also know that natural disasters are becoming more frequent and
    more severe. In my home State of Minnesota, natural disasters have
    caused about $20 billion in damage and economic loss over the last 5
    years alone.
      Small businesses are among the most vulnerable to injury. FEMA has
    reported that more than 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen
    after a natural disaster.
      We can all agree that every small business owner in this country
    should have fair access to disaster assistance, regardless of where
    they live. The Rural Small Business Resilience Act will address this
    disparity by requiring the SBA to conduct targeted outreach to small
    business owners in rural communities.
      I will close by thanking the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Downing),
    the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas), and the gentleman from

    [[Page H746]]

    Florida (Mr. Bean) for their partnership on this important, bipartisan
    legislation. I also thank Chairman Williams and Ranking Member
    Velazquez for their support of this bill.
      I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.
      Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
    Maryland (Mr. Olszewski).
      Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me
    time. I also thank Chairman Williams and my colleagues who are leading
    on this important legislation.

      I rise in support of the bipartisan Rural Small Business Resilience
    Act.
      My home in Maryland's Second Congressional District is home to nearly
    640,000 small businesses, many of which are in rural communities, all
    with unique needs and challenges.
      I support this bill because it will help ensure small businesses in
    rural communities receive the resources they need and the support they
    need to recover during times of crisis by requiring targeted outreach
    and marketing materials and requiring a deadline to get it done.
      Small businesses are the heart of our economy. That is especially
    true in our rural communities. However, we know that small businesses
    in rural America often face unique challenges that are often
    overlooked, especially when it comes to disaster relief programs.
      It is simple. We need to make sure that small rural businesses aren't
    left behind when disasters from pandemics to hurricanes and everything
    in between strike.
      As a county executive, I witnessed firsthand the severe financial
    pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which devastated many small
    businesses.
      I saw how rural communities in particular often struggle with limited
    resources, reduced access to broadband and cellular services, and
    longer response times when disaster relief is needed.
      This bill will help break down those barriers and ensure that rural
    businessowners are aware of and can effectively access available
    resources.
      I urge my colleagues on both sides to vote ``yes'' and show rural
    America and our Nation's employers that we are committed to their
    success.
      Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I
    am prepared to close.
      Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
      Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and
    I yield back the balance of my time.
      Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support
    this commonsense legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
      The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goldman of Texas). 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. 804.
      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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