Steve Chabot

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Ms. Ros-Lehtinen, Chairman Royce, and all the other folks that have worked on a number of bills here today. I rise in strong support of H. Res. 359; H.R. 3329; H.R. 3342; and H.R. 1698, that one, in particular, aims to prevent Iran from acquiring ballistic missiles because they have the capability or soon will have the capability not just to target the Middle East and Europe, but also target us here on our soil right here in the United States if we don't do something about this, with ultimately a nuclear device. Iran is determined to be the dominant power in the Middle East. The Iranian regime hopes to achieve this by exporting terrorism, destabilizing its neighbors, and promising death to America and to our allies. Bearing this in mind, Iran's nuclear ambitions and ballistic missiles program are not only a direct threat to the United States and our allies, but they are a direct threat to the peace and stability of the entire world. When the Iran deal was signed, I said back then and believed back then that this was a bad deal, it would ultimately lead to nuclear weapons, and that they weren't going to meet their commitments. And we are seeing here today the backsliding by Iran to these commitments. Ten years ago, Russia agreed to sell a number of S-300 surface-to-air missile systems to Iran. The Russians suspended the deal in 2010, but renewed it after the Iran deal, the JCPOA was agreed to. Now Moscow has delivered multiple S-300 systems. While the S-300 missile platforms strengthens Iran's conventional capabilities, it also fundamentally complicates the United States' strategy for eliminating a potential nuclear threat against us or against our allies. Iran displayed this surface-to-air missile system to the public late last month, so we know it is there and it is dangerous. That is exactly why H.R. 1698 is so important. It will help combat Iran's ongoing nuclear ambitions by requiring the President to report on the Iranian ballistic missiles program and to oppose targeted sanctions on Iranian Government entities and foreign actors that aid Iran in its nuclear development. I also want to speak briefly relative to the threat that Hezbollah poses to the Middle East and the entire world. I, again, want to thank Congressman Royce and Congresswoman Ros-Lehtinen and Ranking Member Engel and many others for their hard work on this. Hezbollah's mission is to destroy Israel. It is backed by Iran. It poses a constant threat to the Middle East peace. We have designated it as a terrorist organization due to its routine attacks, especially rocket attacks on Israel that have led to war, and its brutal tactics. For years, Hezbollah has continued to accumulate larger rocket stockpiles, grow their presence, and develop even more unimaginable barbaric strategies. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank my colleagues for these, and I urge my colleagues to support these.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the bicentennial anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith. Yesterday, October 22, marked the birth of Baha'u'llah. During his life, Baha'u'llah touched the lives of all those around him and was known for his charity and his message of the unity of mankind, justice, and peace. His message still lives on today in the religion he founded and in over five million Baha'is around the world. Wherever they live, Baha'is strive to be good citizens, serving their communities and the common good and working side-by-side with other faiths to advance education, interfaith harmony, and international cooperation. The Baha'i Faith has spread to every state since arriving in the U.S. more than 120 years ago. I want to specifically highlight the Baha'i community in Cincinnati. Throughout my time in Congress, I have had the opportunity to meet with Baha'i representatives many times and to learn how they have enriched and blessed our city. Unfortunately, the Baha'is are not free to practice their religion in Iran, Baha'u'llah's homeland. Since the Revolution of 1979, Iran has executed at least 200 Baha'is. 10,000 Baha'is have been dismissed from their jobs and 700 have been arrested since 2005. Baha'is have seen their homes raided, their property confiscated, and their children denied education. During my service on the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, I have vocally supported the Baha'is rights in Iran. That is why I joined my colleague, Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, to introduce H. Res. 274 earlier this year which once again condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority. As the Baha'i celebrate Baha'u'llah's birth, we must remember that his followers are not yet free to practice in his homeland. Mr. Speaker, I am honored to recognize this momentous occasion, and wish those Baha'i in my district, throughout America, and around the world, a joyous celebration.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I thank all those who spoke on this legislation, a very bipartisan, good legislation, here this afternoon on the House floor. In closing, whether it is new software system for tracking contract payments or a new medical device to help with cancer treatments, or a new piece of technology that literally saves lives on the battlefield, the SBIR and STTR programs have consistently delivered results to Federal agencies. They are worthy programs that do what they are supposed to do, but we can always do better. This legislation improves and modernizes these programs, and I ask that all of my colleagues support it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight), who is the chairman of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce on the Small Business Committee.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2763) to amend the Small Business Act to improve the Small Business Innovation Research program and Small Business Technology Transfer program, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan legislation introduced by Chairman Knight and Ranking Member Murphy of the Committee on Small Business' Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce aims to modernize and improve the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer, or SBIR and STTR, programs. The SBIR and STTR programs have helped thousands of small businesses create new technologies, commercialize their ideas, and generate new jobs. While creating these benefits in the private sector, the programs offer, in a cost-effective manner, ways for Federal agencies to solve operational problems. H.R. 2763 strengthens these two programs in quite a few ways. First, the bill emphasizes agency accountability by creating several firm reporting deadlines for covered agencies and for the SBA to provide future Congresses with improved information that will lead to a better understanding of the programs' strengths and weaknesses. Second, the legislation clarifies the congressional intent of the 2011 reauthorization to ensure that taxpayers reap the benefits of the SBIR and STTR programs by binding the technologies developed in the programs to long-term projects at the Department of Defense. Third, the legislation extends a popular pilot program included in the 2011 reauthorization that would allow all participating Federal agencies to award a phase II contract immediately if the agency finds that the small business concern has already completed work typically done during phase I. Fourth, it makes permanent the option for all participating agencies to establish commercialization readiness programs, or CRPs. As a pilot program from the 2011 reauthorization, these CRPs have been shown to provide much-needed support to small companies nearing the completion of the process and have helped advance technology to the commercialization phase. Fifth, it extends, through 2022, the provision that allows participating agencies to utilize 3 percent of their allocation for administrative functions, conduct outreach in an effort to bring more companies into the SBIR and STTR programs, and increase deterrents to waste, fraud, and abuse. I want to thank Congressman Knight and Congresswoman Murphy for the bipartisan work on this important legislation. I would also like to thank Chairman Smith and Ranking Member Johnson of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, as well as Chairwoman Comstock and Ranking Member Lipinski of the Subcommittee on Research and Technology, for working together with us to produce this bipartisan bill that we have before us this afternoon. I urge my colleagues to support the bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, Chairman Royce has been a strong proponent of this, as has Eliot Engel. I want to especially thank Robin Kelly for her leadership on this. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 2408, a bipartisan bill that aims to provide a safe education for millions of children, especially girls, who live in the most dangerous and unstable places across the globe. As a parent and now a grandparent, a former teacher, I know that education physically and mentally empowers our children. Unfortunately, millions of children receive no education due to the circumstances which are beyond their control. This is particularly true for the growing number of displaced people across the world, as it is exceedingly difficult for children in conflict zones to receive a primary or secondary education. Armed conflicts across the world, particularly in places like Syria and now Burma, have led to the internal displacement of millions of women and children, and forced them to literally flee their own homes. There are currently 65 million people displaced worldwide, and at least 21 million are refugees. They are out of their own countries. This is the highest number since World War II, and the number has been steadily rising since 2011. Many of the displaced people are survivors of human rights abuses and violence. Half of these victims are under 18 years of age. They are children and in the most formative years of their lives. If they are not given the opportunity to succeed, they will be subjected to a lifetime of conflict and instability. Education is a key component to helping lift these vulnerable children out of the depths of poverty. Access to education not only gives children the opportunity to grow and learn, but also offers safety and shelter from violence, extremist ideology, human trafficking networks, and a relentless cycle of abuse. There is no question that access to education provides stability and consistency to children living in extremely unstable conditions, especially girls. That is why I introduced H.R. 2408, the Protecting Girls' Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act, along with Robin Kelly from Illinois. I again want to thank Chairman Royce and Ranking Member Eliot Engel for their leadership in this area. This bipartisan legislation will move us in the right direction by making access to primary and secondary education a priority with our State Department and USAID. It aims to directly benefit displaced children, specifically girls, and will help to address one of the world's greatest challenges facing refugees across the globe. This legislation also encourages greater international coordination and leverages existing resources by promoting education for refugees where they are through local schools. The Protecting Girls' Access to Education in Vulnerable Settings Act will ensure that millions of child refugees will have an opportunity to reach their highest potential, even those in the most tumultuous conditions. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chair, I appreciate the gentleman from Washington's comments, and, as chair of the House Small Business Committee, I will certainly be willing to work with him and his staff to see if there is any ability down the road to reconsider this program. That being said, we do have a new administration who has looked at this and many other programs very carefully. Being aware, again, that we have a considerable deficit every year and a $20 trillion debt hanging over our heads, something has to go, and there are a whole bunch of somethings in the budget that this administration is looking at because they are serious about this. I definitely agree with the gentleman's comments about the importance of small businesses and promoting them in this country. About half of the people in America in the private sector work for, by definition, a small business. About 70 percent of the new jobs created in America are created by small businesses. There are 29 million small businesses all across America. They are contained in all 435 of our congressional districts. They are absolutely key. We have a history, and I think most Members who deal with the Small Business Committee realize this, of working in a bipartisan manner--the ranking member, Nydia Velazquez who is from New York, myself now the chair, and I have been the ranking member under her in the past, so we really do work together on these, as do the other members of the committee. We are willing to take a look at this down the road, but I would just have to reiterate my initial comment here is that I have to urge my colleagues, at this point, to oppose this amendment along with the administration and the Small Business Administration itself, which does oppose this amendment. Mr. Chair, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Chairman, I rise, as I say, in opposition to this amendment. The proposed amendment offered by my colleague from Washington would increase funds appropriated for the Small Business Administration's entrepreneurial development programs by $3.8 million for the purpose of restoring funding to the SBA's ScaleUp initiative, which the SBA itself discontinued in fiscal year 2017. The ScaleUp initiative was never congressionally authorized, and, as such, has never been subject to congressional oversight. As the chairman of the Committee on Small Business, I am a staunch supporter of the SBA's efforts to increase access to training and counseling to our developing small businesses and to the next generation of entrepreneurs. It is also my responsibility to ensure that these programs are run efficiently and in the best interest of the American taxpayer. They are actually the ones footing the bill for every one of these programs. That is why, even though it can sometimes be tough, we have to balance these programs with limited budgets and always being aware that we have now a $20 trillion debt hanging over our heads. As the ScaleUp initiative has never been subject to a congressional hearing nor congressional review, I believe it would be irresponsible to authorize taxpayer dollars to fund this program and must respectfully oppose this amendment. Mr. Chair, I urge my colleagues to do the same, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Chairman, I rise in opposition to the amendment.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I want to thank Mr. Gibbs for organizing this Special Order here this evening in which we are honoring Ralph Regula, our former colleague. I had the pleasure of serving with Congressman Regula for 14 years here in this great institution. Ralph Regula was truly a gentleman in the truest sense of the word. He served Ohio and our Nation with a dignity and grace that few will ever match. When I think of the phrase ``disagreeing without being disagreeable,'' I think of Ralph Regula. Ralph was a lot of things. He was an attorney, a teacher, a school principal, a veteran, a farmer, and a loving husband, father, and grandfather. But perhaps most of all, he was dedicated to serving the people of the 16th Congressional District and his country. He was born in Beach City, Ohio, in 1924--the same year my mom was born, by the way. Ralph first served his country, as my father did, in World War II. My dad was in the Army and served in Europe. Ralph was in the Navy from 1942 to 1946 during World War II. Ralph then graduated from Mount Union College in Alliance, Ohio, where he met his wife, Mary, and later obtained his law degree from William McKinley School of Law in Canton. Ralph had a passion for education. Before getting into politics, he served his community as a schoolteacher, as I also did. He was then a principal and even ran for the Ohio Board of Education. As a former teacher myself, as I mentioned, I know the time you spend with students helps shape the way you view the world. Ralph was no different. He brought those experiences with him here to Washington, D.C., and put his passion to work on the Appropriations Committee. Prior to being elected to Congress, Ralph got his start in politics as a member of the Ohio House of Representatives and, later, the Ohio Senate. In 1972, he ran for Congress and won, beginning a long and impressive congressional tenure. Ralph served 18 terms, 36 years, and he was a leader on the Appropriations Committee. In that role, he helped to shape the country, but he never forgot where he came from: Stark County, Ohio. Back in 1998, Ralph and his wife, Mary, were instrumental in the establishment of the National First Ladies' Library in Canton, and they both remained very involved in the library's operations over the years. Many Ohioans and Cantonians remember him for his staunch support of Stark County's park system, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and the Towpath Trail. While many around the Nation will remember Ralph Regula as an important figure on the Appropriations Committee, a role he served in for many, many years, I will remember him as a respected colleague and someone I was proud to call a friend. Ralph was a soft-spoken, old-school gentleman. By the time I was elected to Congress back in 1994, Ralph Regula was the dean of the Ohio delegation. A few years after Congressman Regula retired, I became the dean of the Ohio Republican delegation, and I tried to model my approach to the role that he set. He set a great example for all of us who serve here in the House because he truly was a gentleman. Tonight, as we remember our former dean, I hope that we also remember his ability to work across the aisle. Ralph always treated everyone with respect and genuinely listened to the viewpoints of others. He believed that bipartisanship was a virtue and would work tirelessly to find common ground. I think we can all learn from his example. I would note that Marcy Kaptur, who is one of our more respected Democratic colleagues in the House, is here this evening. I think it is a tribute to the bipartisanship that Ralph Regula showed over the years. I know that she worked not only with him, but with many of us in a bipartisan manner. That is just the way that Ralph Regula operated. Mr. Speaker, Ralph Regula was a decent, hardworking family man who was dedicated to Ohio, and particularly the 16th Congressional District and the people of Stark County. He was a public servant and a role model. He will be deeply missed. To Ralph's wife, Mary; his daughter, Martha; his sons, David and Richard; and the entire Regula family, please know that we are saddened by your loss. We share that loss. We appreciate the time that you allowed Ralph to serve our Nation. You are in our thoughts and our prayers. God bless you all.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman), the newest member of the Small Business Committee.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Marshall).

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I want to, again, commend the gentleman from California (Mr. Knight) for his leadership on this particular legislation. He is the subcommittee chairman of the Contracting and Workforce Subcommittee. Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me reiterate the importance of this bill, which aims to increase access to capital for small businesses. It simply increases the SBIC's individual leverage limit from $150 million to $175 million. This legislation really is common sense. And, as I mentioned before, it is bipartisan. I, again, want to thank the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Judy Chu) for her bipartisan leadership on this as well. It will enhance the ability of small businesses to gain the needed money to expand and create jobs in our communities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2333, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I continue to reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 2364) to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase the amount that certain banks and savings associations may invest in small business investment companies, subject to the approval of the appropriate Federal banking agency, and for other purposes.

Mr. CHABOT

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the microloan program at the Small Business Administration is a program that acutely targets small dollar borrowers by utilizing nonprofit intermediaries known as microlenders. Beyond lending the needed capital that is critical to a small business, microlenders are required to provide technical assistance and training to borrowers and perspective borrowers. The program is unique to the SBA's capital access programs because it combines capital with counseling, two ingredients for growth. However, like many Federal programs, it is in need of modernizing to fully meet the demands of America's small businesses. H.R. 2056, the Microloan Modernization Act of 2017, does just that. To fully service small dollar borrowers, H.R. 2056 raises the lending volume a microloan intermediary has at its disposal from $5 million to $6 million. Next, the legislation provides flexibility to the outdated and antiquated 25/75 rule that limits the amount of preloan technical assistance a microloan intermediary can offer to their small business clients. By updating the rule to a 50/50 split, more complete assistance can be offered in the early stages of the process, oftentimes, when a small business needs it the most. To determine if the program is running at its full potential with microlenders throughout the Nation, H.R. 2056 also directs the SBA to study the utilization of the program. Lastly, to make sure the SBA is providing the correct amount of supervision, the Government Accountability Office, the GAO, is required to study the SBA's oversight tools. As we continue to see signs of economic improvement, we must steadfastly defend the Nation's small businesses and startups. H.R. 2056 makes important changes to the program that will enhance a small dollar borrower's ability to grow and create jobs. I want to thank the gentlewoman from Florida (Mrs. Murphy) and all the members on this committee who have taken a leading role in this legislation. It has broad bipartisan support--again, the Small Business Committee working in a bipartisan fashion. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 2056, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. CHABOT. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Nebraska (Mr. Bacon).