[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 157 (2011), Part 5]
[House]
[Page 6623]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                   SMALL BUSINESS INNOVATION RESEARCH

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Altmire) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. ALTMIRE. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the Small 
Business Innovation Research program. For over a quarter century, SBIR 
has been key to American competitiveness around the world. It has 
provided quality research, spurred technological advancements, and 
allowed innovative small businesses to partner with the government for 
the development of some of today's most cutting-edge goods and 
services.
  The region I represent in western Pennsylvania is home to a number of 
companies that have benefited from the SBIR program, yet these 
companies have been faced with uncertainty over the past few years 
because Congress has failed to act on a full reauthorization. Short-
term extensions are putting the future of research and development at 
risk. In this fragile economy, Congress owes it to these innovators to 
give them the certainty they need to fully pursue their ideas.

                              {time}  1030

  I have supported legislation to reauthorize this program for the past 
4 years because I understand the importance of innovation and the 
Federal Government's unique role in creating a fertile climate for it. 
In the past, whenever our Nation has bounced back from economic 
downturns, innovation has been the catalyst. Time and again, inventive 
ideas have led to new products, generating a wave of job creation and 
putting us on a path back to prosperity.
  This year, I have joined with my colleagues on the Small Business 
Committee to introduce a full 3-year reauthorization of the SBIR 
program. As Congress looks for ways to reduce spending yet keep America 
globally competitive, the SBIR program is that rare piece of 
legislation that can accomplish both goals simultaneously.
  At its most fundamental, the SBIR program provides valuable seed 
money for entrepreneurs who are willing to explore untested concepts 
and, ultimately, develop new products. Additionally, it solves one of 
the primary concerns facing small businesses today--access to capital. 
This reauthorization would make important changes to the current 
program that will allow more entrepreneurs to participate by allowing 
companies that receive funding from multiple venture capital groups to 
competitively apply for a portion of SBIR grants.
  Reauthorization of SBIR will allow us to continue to foster research 
and innovation that will translate into a wealth of new employment 
opportunities and economic growth for western Pennsylvania and all of 
America. I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this 
bipartisan legislation that encourages creativity and ensures America 
will stay a global leader in innovation for years to come.

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