[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 57-61]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 PROVIDING FOR CONCURRENCE BY HOUSE WITH AMENDMENT IN SENATE AMENDMENT 
      TO H.R. 4253, MILITARY RESERVIST AND VETERAN SMALL BUSINESS 
              REAUTHORIZATION AND OPPORTUNITY ACT OF 2008

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree 
to the resolution (H. Res. 921) providing for the concurrence by the 
House in the Senate amendment to H.R. 4253, with an amendment.
  The Clerk read the title of the resolution.
  The text of the resolution is as follows:

                              H. Res. 921

       Resolved, That upon the adoption of this resolution the 
     bill (H.R. 4253) entitled ``An Act to improve and expand 
     small business assistance programs for veterans of the armed 
     forces and military reservists, and for other purposes'', 
     with the Senate amendment thereto, shall be considered to 
     have been taken from the Speaker's table to the end that the 
     Senate amendment thereto be, and the same is hereby, agreed 
     to with the following amendment:
       In lieu of the matter proposed to be inserted by the 
     amendment of the Senate, insert the following:

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Military Reservist and 
     Veteran Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act of 
     2008''.

     SEC. 2. TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       The table of contents for this Act is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title.
Sec. 2. Table of contents.
Sec. 3. Definitions.

                 TITLE I--VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Sec. 101. Increased funding for the Office of Veterans Business 
              Development.
Sec. 102. Interagency task force.
Sec. 103. Permanent extension of SBA Advisory Committee on Veterans 
              Business Affairs.
Sec. 104. Office of Veterans Business Development.
Sec. 105. Increasing the number of outreach centers.
Sec. 106. Independent study on gaps in availability of outreach 
              centers.
Sec. 107. Veterans assistance and services program.

                      TITLE II--RESERVIST PROGRAMS

Sec. 201. Reservist programs.
Sec. 202. Reservist loans.
Sec. 203. Noncollateralized loans.
Sec. 204. Loan priority.
Sec. 205. Relief from time limitations for veteran-owned small 
              businesses.
Sec. 206. Service-disabled veterans.
Sec. 207. Study on options for promoting positive working relations 
              between employers and their Reserve Component employees.
Sec. 208. Increased Veteran Participation Program.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act--
       (1) the term ``activated'' means receiving an order placing 
     a Reservist on active duty;
       (2) the term ``active duty'' has the meaning given that 
     term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code;
       (3) the terms ``Administration'' and ``Administrator'' mean 
     the Small Business Administration and the Administrator 
     thereof, respectively;
       (4) 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;
       (5) the term ``Service Corps of Retired Executives'' means 
     the Service Corps of Retired Executives authorized by section 
     8(b)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 637(b)(1));
       (6) the terms ``service-disabled veteran'' and ``small 
     business concern'' have the meaning as in section 3 of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632);
       (7) the term ``small business development center'' means a 
     small business development center described in section 21 of 
     the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648); and
       (8) the term ``women's business center'' means a women's 
     business center described in section 29 of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 656).

                 TITLE I--VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

     SEC. 101. INCREASED FUNDING FOR THE OFFICE OF VETERANS 
                   BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

       (a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
     the Office of Veterans Business Development of the 
     Administration, to remain available until expended--
       (1) $2,100,000 for fiscal year 2008; and
       (2) $2,300,000 for fiscal year 2009.
       (b) Funding Offset.--Amounts necessary to carry out 
     subsection (a) shall be offset and made available through the 
     reduction of the authorization of funding under section 
     20(e)(1)(B)(iv) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 
     note).
       (c) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     any amounts provided pursuant to this section that are in 
     excess of amounts provided to the Administration for the 
     Office of Veterans Business Development in fiscal year 2007, 
     should be used to support Veterans Business Outreach Centers.

     SEC. 102. INTERAGENCY TASK FORCE.

       Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is 
     amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (c) as (f); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
       ``(c) Interagency Task Force.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of enactment of this subsection, the President shall 
     establish an interagency task force to coordinate the efforts 
     of Federal agencies necessary to improve capital and business 
     development opportunities for, and ensure achievement of the 
     pre-established Federal contracting goals for, small business 
     concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans 
     and small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans 
     (in this section referred to as the `task force').
       ``(2) Membership.--The members of the task force shall 
     include--
       ``(A) the Administrator, who shall serve as chairperson of 
     the task force; and
       ``(B) a senior level representative from--
       ``(i) the Department of Veterans Affairs;
       ``(ii) the Department of Defense;
       ``(iii) the Administration (in addition to the 
     Administrator);
       ``(iv) the Department of Labor;
       ``(v) the Department of the Treasury;
       ``(vi) the General Services Administration;
       ``(vii) the Office of Management and Budget; and
       ``(viii) 4 representatives from a veterans service 
     organization or military organization or association, 
     selected by the President.
       ``(3) Duties.--The task force shall--
       ``(A) consult regularly with veterans service organizations 
     and military organizations in performing the duties of the 
     task force; and
       ``(B) coordinate administrative and regulatory activities 
     and develop proposals relating to--
       ``(i) improving capital access and capacity of small 
     business concerns owned and controlled by service-disabled 
     veterans and small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     veterans through loans, surety bonding, and franchising;
       ``(ii) ensuring achievement of the pre-established Federal 
     contracting goals for small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by service-disabled veterans and small business 
     concerns owned and controlled by veterans through expanded 
     mentor-protege assistance and matching such small business 
     concerns with contracting opportunities;
       ``(iii) increasing the integrity of certifications of 
     status as a small business concern owned and controlled by 
     service-disabled veterans or a small business concern owned 
     and controlled by veterans;
       ``(iv) reducing paperwork and administrative burdens on 
     veterans in accessing business development and 
     entrepreneurship opportunities;

[[Page 58]]

       ``(v) increasing and improving training and counseling 
     services provided to small business concerns owned and 
     controlled by veterans; and
       ``(vi) making other improvements relating to the support 
     for veterans business development by the Federal 
     Government.''.

     SEC. 103. PERMANENT EXTENSION OF SBA ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON 
                   VETERANS BUSINESS AFFAIRS.

       (a) Assumption of Duties.--Section 33 of the Small Business 
     Act (15 U.S.C. 657c) is amended--
       (1) by striking subsection (h); and
       (2) by redesignating subsections (i) through (k) as 
     subsections (h) through (j), respectively.
       (b) Permanent Extension of Authority.--Section 203 of the 
     Veterans Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development Act 
     of 1999 (15 U.S.C. 657b note) is amended by striking 
     subsection (h).

     SEC. 104. OFFICE OF VETERANS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT.

       Section 32 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b) is 
     amended by inserting after subsection (c) (as added by 
     section 102) the following:
       ``(d) Participation in TAP Workshops.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Associate Administrator shall 
     increase veteran outreach by ensuring that Veteran Business 
     Outreach Centers regularly participate, on a nationwide 
     basis, in the workshops of the Transition Assistance Program 
     of the Department of Labor.
       ``(2) Presentations.--In carrying out paragraph (1), a 
     Veteran Business Outreach Center may provide grants to 
     entities located in Transition Assistance Program locations 
     to make presentations on the opportunities available from the 
     Administration for recently separating or separated veterans. 
     Each presentation under this paragraph shall include, at a 
     minimum, a description of the entrepreneurial and business 
     training resources available from the Administration.
       ``(3) Written materials.--The Associate Administrator 
     shall--
       ``(A) create written materials that provide comprehensive 
     information on self-employment and veterans entrepreneurship, 
     including information on resources available from the 
     Administration on such topics; and
       ``(B) make the materials created under subparagraph (A) 
     available to the Secretary of Labor for inclusion in the 
     Transition Assistance Program manual.
       ``(4) Reports.--The Associate Administrator shall submit to 
     Congress progress reports on the implementation of this 
     subsection.
       ``(e) Women Veterans Business Training.--The Associate 
     Administrator shall--
       ``(1) compile information on existing resources available 
     to women veterans for business training, including resources 
     for--
       ``(A) vocational and technical education;
       ``(B) general business skills, such as marketing and 
     accounting; and
       ``(C) business assistance programs targeted to women 
     veterans; and
       ``(2) disseminate the information compiled under paragraph 
     (1) through Veteran Business Outreach Centers and women's 
     business centers.''.

     SEC. 105. INCREASING THE NUMBER OF OUTREACH CENTERS.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator shall use the authority 
     in section 8(b)(17) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     637(b)(17)) to ensure that the number of Veterans Business 
     Outreach Centers throughout the United States increases--
       (1) subject to subsection (b), by at least 2, for each of 
     fiscal years 2008 and 2009; and
       (2) by the number that the Administrator considers 
     appropriate, based on need, for each fiscal year thereafter.
       (b) Limitation.--Subsection (a)(1) shall apply in a fiscal 
     year if, for that fiscal year, the amount made available for 
     the Office of Veterans Business Development is more than the 
     amount made available for the Office of Veterans Business 
     Development for fiscal year 2007.

     SEC. 106. INDEPENDENT STUDY ON GAPS IN AVAILABILITY OF 
                   OUTREACH CENTERS.

       The Administrator shall sponsor an independent study on 
     gaps in the availability of Veterans Business Outreach 
     Centers across the United States, to inform decisions on 
     funding and on the allocation and coordination of resources. 
     Not later than 6 months after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on 
     the results of the study.

     SEC. 107. VETERANS ASSISTANCE AND SERVICES PROGRAM.

       Section 21 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648) is 
     amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(n) Veterans Assistance and Services Program.--
       ``(1) In general.--A small business development center may 
     apply for a grant under this subsection to carry out a 
     veterans assistance and services program.
       ``(2) Elements of program.--Under a program carried out 
     with a grant under this subsection, a small business 
     development center shall--
       ``(A) create a marketing campaign to promote awareness and 
     education of the services of the center that are available to 
     veterans, and to target the campaign toward veterans, 
     service-disabled veterans, military units, Federal agencies, 
     and veterans organizations;
       ``(B) use technology-assisted online counseling and 
     distance learning technology to overcome the impediments to 
     entrepreneurship faced by veterans and members of the Armed 
     Forces; and
       ``(C) increase coordination among organizations that assist 
     veterans, including by establishing virtual integration of 
     service providers and offerings for a one-stop point of 
     contact for veterans who are entrepreneurs or owners of small 
     business concerns.
       ``(3) Amount of grants.--A grant under this subsection 
     shall be for not less than $75,000 and not more than 
     $250,000.
       ``(4) Funding.--Subject to amounts approved in advance in 
     appropriations Acts, the Administration may make grants or 
     enter into cooperative agreements to carry out the provisions 
     of this subsection.''.

                      TITLE II--RESERVIST PROGRAMS

     SEC. 201. RESERVIST PROGRAMS.

       (a) Application Period.--Section 7(b)(3)(C) of the Small 
     Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3)(C)) is amended--
       (1) by striking ``90 days'' and inserting ``1 year''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following: ``The Administrator 
     may, when appropriate (as determined by the Administrator), 
     extend the ending date specified in the preceding sentence by 
     not more than 1 year.''.
       (b) Pre-Consideration Process.--
       (1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``eligible 
     Reservist'' means a Reservist who--
       (A) has not been ordered to active duty;
       (B) expects to be ordered to active duty during a period of 
     military conflict; and
       (C) can reasonably demonstrate that the small business 
     concern for which that Reservist is a key employee will 
     suffer economic injury in the absence of that Reservist.
       (2) Establishment.--Not later than 6 months after the date 
     of enactment of this Act, the Administrator shall establish a 
     pre-consideration process, under which the Administrator--
       (A) may collect all relevant materials necessary for 
     processing a loan to a small business concern under section 
     7(b)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3)) 
     before an eligible Reservist employed by that small business 
     concern is activated; and
       (B) shall distribute funds for any loan approved under 
     subparagraph (A) if that eligible Reservist is activated.
       (c) Outreach and Technical Assistance Program.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation 
     with the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of 
     Defense, may develop a comprehensive outreach and technical 
     assistance program (in this subsection referred to as the 
     ``program'') to--
       (A) market the loans available under section 7(b)(3) of the 
     Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3)) to Reservists, and 
     family members of Reservists, that are on active duty and 
     that are not on active duty; and
       (B) provide technical assistance to a small business 
     concern applying for a loan under that section.
       (2) Components.--The program shall--
       (A) incorporate appropriate websites maintained by the 
     Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the 
     Department of Defense; and
       (B) require that information on the program is made 
     available to small business concerns directly through--
       (i) the district offices and resource partners of the 
     Administration, including small business development centers, 
     women's business centers, and the Service Corps of Retired 
     Executives; and
       (ii) other Federal agencies, including the Department of 
     Veterans Affairs and the Department of Defense.
       (3) Report.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 6 months after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, and every 6 months thereafter until 
     the date that is 30 months after such date of enactment, the 
     Administrator shall submit to Congress a report on the status 
     of the program.
       (B) Contents.--Each report submitted under subparagraph (A) 
     shall include--
       (i) for the 6-month period ending on the date of that 
     report--

       (I) the number of loans approved under section 7(b)(3) of 
     the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(3));
       (II) the number of loans disbursed under that section; and
       (III) the total amount disbursed under that section; and

       (ii) recommendations, if any, to make the program more 
     effective in serving small business concerns that employ 
     Reservists.

     SEC. 202. RESERVIST LOANS.

       (a) In General.--The Administrator and the Secretary of 
     Defense shall develop a joint website and printed materials 
     providing information regarding any program for small 
     business concerns that is available to veterans or 
     Reservists.
       (b) Marketing.--The Administrator is authorized--
       (1) to advertise and promote the program under section 
     7(b)(3) of the Small Business

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     Act jointly with the Secretary of Defense and veterans' 
     service organizations; and
       (2) to advertise and promote participation by lenders in 
     such program jointly with trade associations for banks or 
     other lending institutions.

     SEC. 203. NONCOLLATERALIZED LOANS.

       Section 7(b)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     636(b)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(G)(i) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the 
     Administrator may make a loan under this paragraph of not 
     more than $50,000 without collateral.
       ``(ii) The Administrator may defer payment of principal and 
     interest on a loan described in clause (i) during the longer 
     of--
       ``(I) the 1-year period beginning on the date of the 
     initial disbursement of the loan; and
       ``(II) the period during which the relevant essential 
     employee is on active duty.''.

     SEC. 204. LOAN PRIORITY.

       Section 7(b)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     636(b)(3)), as amended by this Act, is amended by adding at 
     the end the following:
       ``(H) The Administrator shall give priority to any 
     application for a loan under this paragraph and shall process 
     and make a determination regarding such applications prior to 
     processing or making a determination on other loan 
     applications under this subsection, on a rolling basis.''.

     SEC. 205. RELIEF FROM TIME LIMITATIONS FOR VETERAN-OWNED 
                   SMALL BUSINESSES.

       Section 3(q) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(q)) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(5) Relief from time limitations.--
       ``(A) In general.--Any time limitation on any 
     qualification, certification, or period of participation 
     imposed under this Act on any program that is available to 
     small business concerns shall be extended for a small 
     business concern that--
       ``(i) is owned and controlled by--

       ``(I) a veteran who was called or ordered to active duty 
     under a provision of law specified in section 101(a)(13)(B) 
     of title 10, United States Code, on or after September 11, 
     2001; or
       ``(II) a service-disabled veteran who became such a veteran 
     due to an injury or illness incurred or aggravated in the 
     active military, naval, or air service during a period of 
     active duty pursuant to a call or order to active duty under 
     a provision of law referred to in subclause (I) on or after 
     September 11, 2001; and

       ``(ii) was subject to the time limitation during such 
     period of active duty.
       ``(B) Duration.--Upon submission of proper documentation to 
     the Administrator, the extension of a time limitation under 
     subparagraph (A) shall be equal to the period of time that 
     such veteran who owned or controlled such a concern was on 
     active duty as described in that subparagraph.
       ``(C) Exception for programs subject to federal credit 
     reform act of 1990.--The provisions of subparagraphs (A) and 
     (B) shall not apply to any programs subject to the Federal 
     Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 U.S.C. 661 et seq.).''.

     SEC. 206. SERVICE-DISABLED VETERANS.

       Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this 
     Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
     submit to the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives a report 
     describing--
       (1) the types of assistance needed by service-disabled 
     veterans who wish to become entrepreneurs; and
       (2) any resources that would assist such service-disabled 
     veterans.

     SEC. 207. STUDY ON OPTIONS FOR PROMOTING POSITIVE WORKING 
                   RELATIONS BETWEEN EMPLOYERS AND THEIR RESERVE 
                   COMPONENT EMPLOYEES.

       (a) Study Required.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a study on options for promoting 
     positive working relations between employers and Reserve 
     component employees of such employers, including assessing 
     options for improving the time in which employers of 
     Reservists are notified of the call or order of such members 
     to active duty other than for training.
       (b) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 180 days after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress 
     a report on the study conducted under subsection (a).
       (2) Contents.--The report submitted under paragraph (1) 
     shall--
       (A) provide a quantitative and qualitative assessment of--
       (i) what measures, if any, are being taken to inform 
     Reservists of the obligations and responsibilities of such 
     members to their employers;
       (ii) how effective such measures have been; and
       (iii) whether there are additional measures that could be 
     taken to promote positive working relations between 
     Reservists and their employers, including any steps that 
     could be taken to ensure that employers are timely notified 
     of a call to active duty; and
       (B) assess whether there has been a reduction in the hiring 
     of Reservists by business concerns because of--
       (i) any increase in the use of Reservists after September 
     11, 2001; or
       (ii) any change in any policy of the Department of Defense 
     relating to Reservists after September 11, 2001.
       (c) Appropriate Committees of Congress Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate committees of Congress'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on 
     Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate; and
       (2) the Committee on Armed Services and the Committee on 
     Small Business of the House of Representatives.

     SEC. 208. INCREASED VETERAN PARTICIPATION PROGRAM.

       Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) 
     is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(32) Increased veteran participation program.--
       ``(A) Definitions.--In this paragraph--
       ``(i) the term `cost' has the meaning given that term in 
     section 502 of the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 (2 
     U.S.C. 661a);
       ``(ii) the term `pilot program' means the pilot program 
     established under subparagraph (B); and
       ``(iii) the term `veteran participation loan' means a loan 
     made under this subsection to a small business concern owned 
     and controlled by veterans of the Armed Forces or members of 
     the reserve components of the Armed Forces.
       ``(B) Establishment.--The Administrator shall establish and 
     carry out a pilot program under which the Administrator shall 
     reduce the fees for veteran participation loans.
       ``(C) Duration.--The pilot program shall terminate at the 
     end of the second full fiscal year after the date that the 
     Administrator establishes the pilot program.
       ``(D) Maximum participation.--A veteran participation loan 
     shall include the maximum participation levels by the 
     Administrator permitted for loans made under this subsection.
       ``(E) Fees.--
       ``(i) In general.--The fee on a veteran participation loan 
     shall be equal to 50 percent of the fee otherwise applicable 
     to that loan under paragraph (18).
       ``(ii) Waiver.--The Administrator may waive clause (i) for 
     a fiscal year if--

       ``(I) for the fiscal year before that fiscal year, the 
     annual estimated rate of default of veteran participation 
     loans exceeds that of loans made under this subsection that 
     are not veteran participation loans;
       ``(II) the cost to the Administration of making loans under 
     this subsection is greater than zero and such cost is 
     directly attributable to the cost of making veteran 
     participation loans; and
       ``(III) no additional sources of revenue authority are 
     available to reduce the cost of making loans under this 
     subsection to zero.

       ``(iii) Effect of waiver.--If the Administrator waives the 
     reduction of fees under clause (ii), the Administrator--

       ``(I) shall not assess or collect fees in an amount greater 
     than necessary to ensure that the cost of the program under 
     this subsection is not greater than zero; and
       ``(II) shall reinstate the fee reductions under clause (i) 
     when the conditions in clause (ii) no longer apply.

       ``(iv) No increase of fees.--The Administrator shall not 
     increase the fees under paragraph (18) on loans made under 
     this subsection that are not veteran participation loans as a 
     direct result of the pilot program.
       ``(F) GAO report.--
       ``(i) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date 
     that the pilot program terminates, the Comptroller General of 
     the United States shall submit to the Committee on Small 
     Business of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Small Business and Entrepreneurship of the Senate a report on 
     the pilot program.
       ``(ii) Contents.--The report submitted under clause (i) 
     shall include--

       ``(I) the number of veteran participation loans for which 
     fees were reduced under the pilot program;
       ``(II) a description of the impact of the pilot program on 
     the program under this subsection;
       ``(III) an evaluation of the efficacy and potential fraud 
     and abuse of the pilot program; and
       ``(IV) recommendations for improving the pilot program.''.

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


                             General Leave

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all 
Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and 
include extraneous material on the resolution under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.

[[Page 60]]


  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, this body has heard time and again of 
the courage, discipline and selflessness with which our veterans serve 
this Nation. What is less well known, however, are the contributions 
that veterans make to our Nation's economy.
  Last month, 407 Members of this House voted to pass H.R. 4253. This 
bill represented an important step toward a comprehensive update of the 
Small Business Administration's veterans assistance programs, programs 
which remove barriers to veterans' self-employment and provide veteran 
entrepreneurs with support for growth and expansion. Again, I wish to 
commend Congressman Jason Altmire and Congressman Vern Buchanan for 
their leadership on this legislation.
  Not long after this body passed H.R. 4253, the Senate took up the 
legislation and offered a number of changes. The resolution we are 
considering today provides for the concurrence in the Senate amendment 
and makes additional changes of our own.
  The amendment in this resolution does two things. First, the 
amendment makes technical revisions to clarify language in the bill. 
Second, the amendment removes a nongermane provision that was inserted 
by the Senate amendment to H.R. 4253.
  As the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continue, the number of returning 
veterans will only increase. Our support for veterans, however, does 
not end with their deployment. We must continue to work to support 
these budding entrepreneurs as they reach for the American dream of 
business ownership. I believe the underlying bill is a major step 
towards realizing this goal, and I strongly support this legislation. I 
urge my colleagues to support this resolution.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Today, Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the request to suspend the 
rules and pass House Resolution 921, which agrees to the Senate 
amendment to H.R. 4253, the Military Reservist and Veterans Small 
Business Reauthorization Opportunity Act of 2007, subject to an 
amendment.
  I would like to thank Chairwoman Velazquez for working in a 
cooperative and bipartisan manner to bring this resolution to the 
floor, which, again, incorporates a number of provisions of a bill 
authored by Mr. Buchanan from Florida, a freshman member of the Small 
Business Committee.
  The provisions of this resolution are substantially similar to those 
contained in H.R. 4253 passed by the House in the last session. For the 
sake of brevity, interested parties can refer to the December 5, 2007 
Congressional Record for that statement.
  The resolution makes necessary technical changes to the Senate 
amendment. The House bill required the establishment of an interagency 
task force to improve business advice given to veteran-owned small 
businesses. This resolution restores the requirement that the 
interagency task force include the advice from veteran service 
organizations. It makes no sense to try and improve veterans services 
to veterans without actually consulting them.
  Reservists have their own set of operational problems, especially if 
they own a business or are a key employee in a small business. These 
Reservists are making a sacrifice to the health of their business in 
order to protect the liberty and freedom of all Americans. The least we 
can do is provide the small businesses owned by or employing these 
Reservists sufficient access to advice and capital to enable their 
businesses to survive during their absence. The resolution before us 
today does just that.
  In particular, the resolution ensures that small communities where a 
Reservist-owned business is a major source of employment will have 
access to economic injury disaster loan funds from the SBA to pay 
employees and meet other expenses while the owner is on active duty. 
Small communities that rely on one employer should not have to suffer 
because the owner of a business has elected the noble obligation to 
serve our country in uniform.
  Finally, the resolution adopts a modified form of the reduction in 
costs for guaranteed loans made to veterans under SBA's 7(a) loan 
program. I commend the chairwoman for taking an approach that helps 
veterans obtain loans without unduly increasing costs to the American 
taxpayer or other borrowers under the 7(a) loan program.
  No one can dispute the sacrifice that America's veterans have made 
and continue to make in defense of our country. While the repayment of 
that debt may never be fully compensated, we can never fully pay back 
those that have served this country so honorably in uniform, we can 
certainly provide them with the needed assistance to prosper in 
civilian life. Today's resolution will do that. I want to thank the 
chairwoman again for working to make this possible and thank Mr. 
Buchanan for his leadership on this issue.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I would now like to yield to the 
gentleman from Pennsylvania, a lead sponsor of the bill, Mr. Jason 
Altmire, as much time as he may consume.
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Madam Speaker, last month the House and the Senate 
passed the Military Reservist and Veterans Small Business 
Reauthorization and Opportunity Act to expand business opportunities 
for veterans and Reservists. And after Senate action, today we will 
vote again to pass this legislation that I introduced to ensure 
veterans and Reservists are afforded every opportunity for economic 
success at home given their sacrifices abroad.
  Starting and maintaining a small business can be challenging for 
anyone, and unfortunately veterans often face unique obstacles as a 
result of their military service. The unemployment rate among veterans 
is more than twice that of the national average, and nearly 40 percent 
of Reservists lose income when they are deployed.
  While Congress has taken action to provide Federal agencies with 
resources to encourage entrepreneurial opportunities for veterans, I 
believe that more can still be done to relieve the burden that is 
placed on small business owners during and after deployment.
  At a time when our veteran population continues to grow, it is more 
important than ever for us to afford our brave men and women in uniform 
every opportunity for success. The Military Reservist and Veterans 
Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act provides the SBA's 
Office of Veterans Business Development with the resources necessary to 
expand entrepreneurial opportunities for veterans and Reservists and 
improve existing programs to help keep small businesses afloat while 
their members are deployed.
  The amendment we will consider today makes minor changes to the bill 
we passed in December, but the intent remains the same. This 
legislation increases funding for the SBA's Office of Veterans Business 
Development, improves programs designed to help relieve the burden 
placed on small business owners during and after deployments, 
facilitates the coordination of all Federal agencies to focus attention 
on expanding opportunities for veteran-owned businesses, makes the SBA 
Advisory Committee on Veterans Business Affairs permanent, and 
increases the number of veterans business outreach centers across the 
country.
  Madam Speaker, there is no question that veterans have a unique 
ability to thrive as entrepreneurs. They have the skill and the drive 
necessary to run successful businesses. But more must be done to help 
them fulfill their goals and their needs.
  I strongly support this legislation, which I introduced, and I ask my 
colleagues for their support of the Military Reservist and Veterans 
Small Business Reauthorization and Opportunity Act, and urge the Senate 
to quickly take up and pass this important legislation.

                              {time}  1115

  Lastly, Madam Speaker, I would thank the gentleman from Florida, my 
good friend, Mr. Buchanan; the ranking member, Mr. Chabot, for their 
help in working through these issues. And hopefully now, with the work 
of the

[[Page 61]]

chairwoman, we can have a bill that can pass both Chambers and move to 
the President's desk.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, I would just like to commend two freshman 
Members. I think this is another example that shows bipartisanship on 
the Small Business Committee, to the credit of the chairwoman, Ms. 
Velazquez, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire), a freshman 
Member, and Mr. Buchanan, a freshman Member from Florida, working 
together to benefit veterans and small businesses in this country. So I 
think I'd like to see that spirit illustrated in the rest of the 
Congress, and I want to thank again Mr. Altmire and Mr. Buchanan.
  Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to Mr. Buchanan.
  Mr. BUCHANAN. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the ranking member for 
yielding me the time, and I rise in support of the resolution.
  I'd also like to thank my fellow freshman, Congressman Altmire, and I 
want to thank the chairman of our Small Business Committee, because she 
has been very bipartisan from day one. She's been very helpful to me, 
and I think, frankly, this is what the country is looking for. So I 
want to thank the freshman Congressman. I think this is a very powerful 
thing.
  Also, I just wanted to say that I know there's a Senate compromise, 
and a number of provisions in that are important to me.
  This resolution incorporates legislation I introduced in May and the 
House passed in June, creating an important program within the Small 
Business Administration. This will give our veterans not just a chance 
at success in a small business enterprise, but provide them with the 
help and assistance a grateful Nation can offer.
  My legislation is intended to help veterans through grants, 
information services and contacts with professionals in their field of 
endeavor. This Federal support will enhance the ability of veterans to 
become an entrepreneur in his or her own right.
  The measure puts an emphasis on providing veterans with the market 
research, financial options, and technological training important to 
becoming a successful small business owner.
  This legislation not only expands the number but the scope of Veteran 
Outreach Centers. It ensures the opening of more doors in terms of that 
and the opportunity for women veterans. Assisting our women returning 
from combat has been an area long overlooked, and it's high time we did 
something about it.
  I know in my personal situation, I went in as an 18-year-old in the 
Air National Guard. At 23, I had a chance to get in business for 
myself, for a kid that grew up in a blue-collar family, and I've lived 
that American Dream, being self-employed for 30 years. I want to make 
sure that our veterans have that same opportunity today for all the 
sacrifices they are making.
  I'm excited today that the House will pass a resolution that will 
help individuals make an important transition from a veteran to a small 
business entrepreneur, and we are one step closer to having this 
important legislation signed into law.
  I urge my colleagues to suspend the rules and support the resolution.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I have no additional speakers, but I 
reserve the right to close.
  Mr. CHABOT. Madam Speaker, we yield back the balance of our time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I just want to take the opportunity 
again to thank Ranking Member Chabot and Mr. Buchanan and Mr. Altmire 
and also the staff from the Democratic side and the Republican side for 
working in a bipartisan manner to help achieve this goal of providing 
the tools necessary for the veterans who are returning home.
  With that, I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H. Res. 921.
  Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that the House suspend the 
rules and agree to the resolution, H. Res. 921.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam 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 and the 
Chair's prior announcement, further proceedings on this motion will be 
postponed.

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