[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 626-627]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




             TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules 
and pass the bill (H.R. 366) to provide for an additional temporary 
extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small 
Business Investment Act of 1958, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                H.R. 366

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF 
                   PROGRAMS UNDER THE SMALL BUSINESS ACT AND THE 
                   SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT ACT OF 1958.

       (a) In General.--Section 1 of the Act entitled ``An Act to 
     extend temporarily certain authorities of the Small Business 
     Administration'', approved October 10, 2006 (Public Law 109-
     316; 120 Stat. 1742), as most recently amended by section 1 
     of Public Law 111-251 (124 Stat. 2631), is amended by 
     striking ``January 31, 2011'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``May 31, 2011''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on January 30, 2011.

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


                             General Leave

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. 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 bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentleman from Missouri?
  There was no objection.
  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I 
may consume.
  Madam Speaker, we have a big job ahead of us in the 112th Congress. 
Unemployment remains above 9 percent, and millions of people are out of 
work. Entrepreneurs are struggling to create jobs and grow their 
businesses amid threats of higher taxes and more unmanageable Federal 
mandates. Our economic recovery has been erratic at best. Hard work 
lies ahead to reduce the uncertainty, to create new jobs and restore 
confidence in our economy.
  Today, we are discussing a simple extension of programs overseen by 
the Small Business Administration through May 31, 2011. Enacting this 
legislation is a critical first step towards giving small business 
owners some certainty while we continue to fully examine all of SBA's 
programs and make necessary changes to improve SBA services. Enacting 
this legislation will give our new majority the opportunity to explore 
new and innovative ideas to improve the services offered by the SBA.
  I am humbled and honored to serve our country's entrepreneurs as the 
chairman of the Small Business Committee, and I look forward to working 
with Ranking Member Velazquez to enact a more permanent reauthorization 
in a timely manner. The two of us have had an excellent working 
relationship over the past 2 years, and I have no doubt this is going 
to continue in the future.
  Madam Speaker, we are all eager to get the work done on restoring 
America's faith in government and reducing the uncertainty that 
prevails throughout our economic sectors. We can take this first step 
by approving this temporary extension and laying the groundwork for a 
full reauthorization that will bring these programs into the 21st 
century.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill before us.
  I reserve the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Madam Speaker, the role of small businesses is critical to creating 
new jobs. With the economy continuing to face challenges on several 
fronts, we need small firms more than ever. Time and again, they have 
generated the ideas and know-how that spark job growth. However, 
entrepreneurs face challenging economic headwinds. Small businesses 
continue facing obstacles accessing capital, and sales remain flat. 
Given these realities, we need to make sure that small firms have the 
resources and tools to start up or expand.
  The legislation we are considering today does this and extends the 
authorization of the several important Small Business Administration 
programs. Through these initiatives, firms can secure financing, 
receive training, or compete more effectively for Federal contracts.

[[Page 627]]

  While we must keep these programs operational, it is unfortunate that 
we are doing so through another temporary extension. Last Congress, the 
House passed 14 bills updating all of SBA's financing and 
entrepreneurial development programs. However, while the Senate was 
able to report a few measures out of committee, they were unable to 
actually pass any legislation affecting these programs through the 
Chamber. As a result, we are here today to temporarily extend the SBA's 
initiatives.
  Small businesses across the Nation depend on a strong SBA. This is 
especially true now, when many unemployed individuals are turning to 
entrepreneurship as a source of income. By ensuring that the agency's 
programs do not lapse, we are providing small businesses with the 
foundation for future growth and, in doing so, helping move the economy 
forward.
  Madam Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.
  I yield back the balance of my time.

                              {time}  1240

  Mr. GRAVES of Missouri. Madam Speaker, in order to close this debate, 
let me reiterate that small businesses are going to lead this economic 
recovery, but we have to provide them with some certainty first. 
Enacting this legislation before us is going to do just that and let 
entrepreneurs know that we are back on their side.
  Once again I urge my colleagues to support this legislation. I look 
forward to working with Ranking Member Velazquez and our colleagues on 
the Small Business Committee for a more permanent extension.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Graves) that the House suspend the rules 
and pass the bill, H.R. 366.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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