Johnny Olszewski

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to this rule. I agree, it is past time that we ban congressional insider trading. No one should benefit from public service, but wouldn't the easiest way to do that be to just completely ban stock trading entirely, not take the baby steps attached to this bill included in the rule? Still, I was open to voting for the bill, to accept that incremental but wholly insufficient progress. What I am not open to, Mr. Speaker, is accepting modest progress on stock ethics, insufficient progress in exchange for significantly compromising American voting rights, and that is also exactly what this bill would do. It would add unnecessary and unrelated provisions that make it harder for Americans to vote. Republicans can't even be bothered to provide the IDs they would have Americans be required to have in order to vote. In fact, that was in the bill, and they took it out. That is not reform, Mr. Speaker. That is a bait-and-switch. It is one more ruse by this Republican majority to distract the public from their inability or their unwillingness, or both, to rein in costs and address corruption. The American people deserve so much better. I urge a ``no'' vote.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 7396, the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, as amended, which would allow SBA to codify the Office of Native American Affairs. I commend Ms. Davids, Mr. Ellzey, Ms. Morrison, and Mr. Crane for working on this bipartisan legislation. We know that small businesses on Tribal reservations face a mix of challenges, ranging from lack of access to capital to inadequate business training. SBA's office has proven to be a valuable resource to Native American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians, supporting approximately 2,000 small businesses every year. Codifying the office will help make sure that small Tribal businesses have access to SBA's full range of business development tools regardless of the administration. Moreover, the Assistant Administrator will report directly to the Administrator, making sure that the voices of Tribal communities will be heard throughout the SBA. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids), the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. In closing, Native American-owned businesses are economic engines, generating $86 billion in sales, shipments, and revenues every year, and employing nearly 364,000 people in their communities. The ONAA serves an important role in aiding Native American communities that lack access to Federal programs. By helping American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians launch, grow, and expand their small businesses, the office strengthens local economies and promotes economic development. This bill will go a long way in empowering Native entrepreneurs and supporting long-term economic growth. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7936, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Small Business Lending Fraud Prevention Act. Let me begin by commending Representatives Meuser and Goodlander for their bipartisan work on this bill, which would enhance SBA's internal processes to further detect fraud. As the chairman mentioned, recently an SBA loan officer pled guilty to making false statements after approving more than $550,000 in fraudulent COVID-19 pandemic loans for herself and for family members. The previous administration identified the wrongdoing, terminated the employee, and referred the case to the Office of Inspector General. This proves that the process worked. However, requiring loan officers to attest that they are not violating any conflict of interest laws or regulations every time they originate, review, or approve a loan is a simple step that further reinforces ethical standards and reminds them that misconduct has consequences. Implementing this practice will help to increase accountability, strengthen compliance, and deter fraud. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, in closing, this committee has played an integral role in conducting oversight of SBA programs, especially the pandemic relief programs. Approximately $1.2 trillion of economic aid was distributed through SBA's pandemic relief programs over the course of the pandemic, providing economic relief to small businesses all over the country. Unfortunately, bad actors took advantage of the programs, and it has become clear that we need to work together to recover fraudulent dollars. The previous administration took strong steps to root out fraud and to put internal controls in place to prevent it, and the Inspector General has been working diligently to uncover fraudulent schemes. The bottom line is that the current process worked. The bad actor at the SBA was identified, investigated, and prosecuted. Moving forward, SBA employees being required to certify there is no conflict of interest before approving a loan provides an extra layer of security which will help deter fraud. Once again, I applaud Representatives Goodlander and Meuser for working together on this bill that enhances conflict of interest laws at SBA and provides even more accountability. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the COVID Fraud Transparency Act of 2026, as amended, and I applaud Chairman Williams and Representative Latimer for their efforts to increase reporting on COVID fraud. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Small Business Administration stepped in and served as a critical lifeline to small businesses. The SBA distributed more than $1.2 trillion of economic aid and executed 14 years' worth of lending in 14 days, keeping millions of businesses afloat. I had the opportunity to see the impact of that lending firsthand, as I was serving as Baltimore County executive prior to my time joining Congress. However, in an effort to disburse funds quickly, we know the SBA also weakened or eliminated internal controls, which allowed fraudsters to exploit those weaknesses and steal billions of dollars from the American taxpayers. Better oversight begins with better information, and the legislation we consider here today will provide the committee with the data it needs to conduct better oversight. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 826, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, I close by underscoring that the single most effective tool for combating fraud is fully funding the SBA Office of Inspector General. I support this bill because it will enhance accountability, but we cannot overlook the fact that it is one part of a broader solution. We must continue to strengthen oversight, improve data quality, and ensure that the IG has the resources it needs to detect and prevent fraud before it occurs. I look forward to working with my colleagues to do exactly that. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairman again for bringing this bill forward. I lend my support to H.R. 826, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 915, the Small Business Technological Advancement Act of 2025. Small businesses are increasingly using digital tools to support their day-to-day work. The use of these tools has only accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic and has produced many positive outcomes. Digital tools have been shown to improve small business job creation, revenue growth, and forecasting certainty. Small businesses have reported that the largest barrier to these innovative tools is the cost. It is important that the SBA support businesses in addressing this challenge so that they can continue adopting the digital tools that they need to work efficiently, support commerce, and create jobs in communities across the country. The SBA's flagship 7(a) loan program provides small businesses with working capital that can be used to finance the purchase of digital tools. Last June, the SBA further clarified that 7(a) loans could be used to finance business software or cloud computing services. However, some businesses have still reported uncertainty about using 7(a) loans for these purposes. This bill eliminates that confusion and ensures consistency across administrations by confirming in statute that 7(a) loans can be used to finance digital tools. Hopefully, codifying this provision will lead to clarity and an increased uptake of digital tools in small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Alford, Lee, and McGarvey for their collaboration on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing. Mr. Speaker, last year, the 7(a) program provided more than 78,000 loans to small businesses worth more than $37.2 billion. Thus far, in 2026, the program has originated more than 38,000 loans worth more than $20.3 billion with an average loan size of approximately $533,000. As I mentioned earlier, small businesses have been able to utilize 7(a) loans to finance digital tools, including software and cloud computing services. The SBA further clarified that position last June, yet some businesses have still reported uncertainty about using 7(a) loans for these purposes. I support this legislation, as it will codify that clarification and end any confusion once and for all by making clear that these loans can indeed be used to finance digital tools. I, again, thank Representatives Alford and McGarvey for leading on this bipartisan effort, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, SBA loans provide long-term, low-interest capital to homeowners, renters, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits after declared disasters, playing a critical role in Federal disaster response and recovery. In 2024, several major hurricanes made landfall in the U.S., crippling not only our communities but SBA's disaster loan fund, as well. On October 15, 2024, the agency announced its disaster loan funds had been exhausted, and it couldn't approve or disburse new loans until Congress appropriated extra money delaying much-needed relief to the affected areas. Ultimately, this failure was caused by a lack of communication from the SBA to Congress. They failed to submit required reports on the disaster program, and they didn't give Congress enough notice to replenish the funds. That is why the Disaster Loan Accountability Reform Act, or DLARA, is necessary. This bill would expand SBA disaster loan notice and reporting requirements, create specific budget line items for disaster loans, and direct the U.S. Government Accountability Office to study how previous rulemaking has impacted the speed of disaster loan disbursement. I commend Representatives Davis and Moore of North Carolina, as well as Ms. Goodlander, Ms. King-Hinds, and Mr. Meuser for working together on this critical issues. Mr. Speaker, I urge members to support this bill, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WILLIAMS OF Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Moore).

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, DLARA would make numerous bipartisan reforms to the SBA disaster loan program, like expanded notice and reporting requirements, separate budget line items, and professional evaluations of the program's administration in light of recent rule changes. This bill will go a long way to ensure that the disaster loan account does not run out of funds again and that disaster victims receive assistance in a timely manner. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support the bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Congress' ability to conduct effective oversight depends on regular access to information on the programs and authorities that SBA uses to assist small businesses. The committee has repeatedly experienced issues with SBA responses and reporting on the small business procurement programs, including the WOSB certifications, the 8(a) Business Development program, and the Unified Certification Platform. Currently, the SBA is not providing needed information, including regular reports and basic data on contracting certifications that have been routinely provided in the past. This bill would help to ensure that we have consistent information and a more complete picture on one of the SBA's core missions, certifying small business Federal contractors. Small business government contractors already face barriers to entering and competing in the Federal market. An SBA certification should not be an additional burden. I thank the chairman for his support, and I thank Representative Wied for his co-leading on this bill. I urge all Members to support my bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, small businesses are critical partners with the Federal Government. They provide goods and services to support agency mission needs, and they make up critical links throughout the supply chain. Passing this legislation will ensure the committee has timely information on the applications, certifications, and platforms that allow small firms to enter and have success in the Federal market. I urge all Members to vote ``yes'' on my bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support H.R. 8880, the Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026, as amended. Since the COVID pandemic, firms of all sizes have increasingly adopted technology. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 99 percent of small businesses use at least one tech platform, with 58 percent using at least four, but only one-quarter use cybersecurity tools. This gap creates glaring weaknesses in Main Street America's cyber posture, weaknesses that cybercriminals are all too willing to exploit to steal funds, proprietary information, and other critical assets. While various Federal agencies provide cyber resources, their collective impact needs improvement. The SBA is uniquely equipped with the small business outreach experience and network to help entrepreneurs with these technical matters, leveraging other agencies' expertise. H.R. 8880 will direct the U.S. Government Accountability Office to report on the state of Federal small business cybersecurity resources and make recommendations to optimize their impact and use by small businesses. I thank my colleagues Ms. Simon, Mr. Bresnahan, and Ranking Member Velazquez for bringing this bill to the floor today, and I urge Members to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Simon), who is the sponsor of the bill.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8880 puts us on a path to meaningful reforms in Federal small business cybersecurity assistance. I commend Ms. Simon and Mr. Bresnahan for their dedication to Main Street's cybersecurity. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, the prospect of AI in government brings forth a deluge of feelings for many policymakers, myself being no exception. On the one hand, AI can be exciting because it can revolutionize the way we do business. On the other hand, AI can be frightening because of the ways in which it can harm everyday Americans. In 2023, the city of New York launched a first-of-its-kind AI chatbot for small businesses, meant to answer questions about running small firms, city small business services, and regulatory compliance. In response, the committee sent a letter to the White House Office of Budget and Management urging them to incorporate various commonsense guardrails if and when AI for small business services came into use at the Federal level. As it turns out, our concerns about the city's chatbot were well founded. A news expose found that the chatbot was consistently urging users to break the law. The mayor later closed it as part of a broader cost-cutting effort, calling it ``unusable.'' That is why our committee is hard at work holding the SBA to account for the ways in which it is and isn't using AI, no matter who is in the White House. H.R. 8881 will direct the SBA to report annually on its AI use, the benefits and risks of AI to its work, and effective AI risk management measures. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Finstad and Mr. Latimer for their leadership in this area, and I urge all Members to support this bill. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, H.R. 8881 is a commonsense measure promoting transparency in the SBA's use of AI, an emerging tech with far-reaching ramifications. I commend Mr. Finstad and Mr. Latimer for working together to move this bill forward, and I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, Main Street America is a critical part of our economy and its success hinges on a competitive marketplace. Unfortunately, the competitive landscape that small firms rely on has been eroded for decades as large companies have absorbed significant market share across many industries. Seventy-five percent of industries have seen increasing concentrations since the mid-1990s, and today, the average firm is roughly three times larger than it was 20 years ago. That is why we have Federal antitrust laws to prevent monopolies and corporate collusion and to protect small businesses' ability to compete. However, in recent decades, their enforcement has been limited, contributing to the continued consolidation in our economy. Luckily, small businesses have a voice in the Federal Government: the SBA's independent Office of Advocacy. Its primary function by law includes ``recommending specific measures for creating an environment in which all businesses will have the opportunity to compete effectively and expand to their full potential.'' Advocacy is uniquely situated to work with antitrust enforcement entities like the Federal Trade Commission and the Justice Department. That is why the Main Street Competes Act was introduced. It directs Advocacy to assess the FTC and DOJ's antitrust work and produce an annual report on the competitive landscape for small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I thank and commend my colleagues Ms. Scholten, Mr. Schmidt, Ranking Member Velazquez, and Chairman Williams for working on this bill and making sure that we take action on market consolidation. Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Scholten), the sponsor of this bill.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from New Jersey (Ms. Mejia).

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing. Mr. Speaker, the Main Street Competes Act would direct the SBA's Office of Advocacy to evaluate the Federal Trade Commission's and Justice Department's efforts to protect small businesses from unfair, anticompetitive practices and to report annually on the state of the competitive landscape. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill, and I strongly urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, today, the Supreme Court faces a crisis of confidence and legitimacy. From ethics scandals to overturning decades of precedent, Americans are demanding accountability from a court that has become partisan and completely disconnected from the public it serves. Congress must act. That is why today I rise to urge my colleagues to support the ROBE Act, my constitutional amendment establishing 18-year term limits for Supreme Court Justices. Lifetime appointments are outdated. They encourage Presidents to nominate judges for generational influence, incentivize strategically timed retirements, and fuel divisive confirmation battles. Term limits are a commonsense reform supported by supermajorities of Americans across the political spectrum. Term limits would restore predictability, reduce political gamesmanship, and help rebuild trust in the court. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this Amendment.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Res. 1259, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the President should prioritize securing the release of Pastor Ezra Jin; Pastor Gao Quanfu and his wife, Pang Yu; as well as Dr. Gulshan Abbas; and Jimmy Lai, all of whom, Madam Speaker, have been detained by the People's Republic of China. We encourage him to take this approach during his upcoming talks with President Xi Jinping. I also thank my colleague from New Jersey (Mr. Smith) for his longstanding leadership on this important issue. President Trump's trip, Madam Speaker, is an opportunity for him to confront Beijing not only on economic issues but also on its deeply troubling human rights record, including its suppression of free speech and its ongoing persecution of religious and ethnic minorities. Whether it is prodemocracy advocates in Hong Kong, Uyghurs, or members of the Christian Zion Church, Beijing has imprisoned far too many individuals simply for practicing their faith or exercising their fundamental right of free speech. Across China, underground churches are raided; pastors, like Pastor Jin, are surveilled; congregations are harassed; and believers are detained simply for worshipping outside state control. Pastor Jin's wife, despite having no direct role in the church, has also been arrested without cause and denied access to all necessary medical care. Uyghurs, like Dr. Abbas, face mass internment, forced labor, and egregious human rights abuses that our own government has declared a genocide. Journalists, like Jimmy Lai, who have shown fearless activism and extraordinary courage in defense of a free press, are imprisoned for speaking the truth, including reporting on Beijing's democracy crackdown in Hong Kong. Mr. Lai was sentenced to 20 years in prison. This is the most excessive sentence that China has ever given for this so-called offense. Yet, unlike prior U.S. administrations that recognize the clear link between human rights and our own security and prosperity, the Trump administration has not meaningfully engaged on China's troubling human rights abuses and too often has failed to forcefully raise these issues in high-level bilateral engagements with Beijing. That must change. I call on President Trump to reverse this trend and to make securing the release of all the individuals named a central objective in his upcoming meeting with President Xi. This resolution reflects a strong bipartisan consensus in Congress on the importance of securing the release of these brave individuals. President Xi is hoping the war in Iran and our trade objectives with Beijing will distract our focus away from China's human rights abuses, but we need to be clear that the U.S. cannot take the pressure off of Beijing on these critical issues. China cannot be allowed to continue its repression of religious communities, ethnic minorities, Hong Kongers, or the press with impunity. Madam Speaker, I urge all Members to support this measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Pelosi), the Speaker Emerita.