Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of this resolution because, in America, we hold power to account. In America, we do not succumb to violent insurrections incited by a head of state. In America, we do not turn a blind eye to high crimes and misdemeanors. No. That is not who we are. So, today, as a sworn defender of this Nation's Constitution, I will vote in favor of impeaching Donald J. Trump.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of this resolution. ``Impressionable children are watching all of this, and they are learning from us. I believe we each have a moral obligation to exercise good judgment and model the behavior we hope they will emulate.'' That was Betsy DeVos. ``As I am sure is the case with many of you, it has deeply troubled me in a way that I simply cannot set aside.'' That was Elaine Chao. Mr. Speaker, these were members of the President's own Cabinet who bore the sacred responsibility of taking action when the President is clearly unfit for office. But their words are all talk, and if they will not act, then Congress will. So, today, we are giving the Vice President 24 hours to do right by the American people. Remove this President from office, and if you do not, the House will impeach.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of this relief bill because the American people cannot wait another day. Over 315,000 Americans are dead. Three out of every 4 small businesses have seen their revenues fall, and thousands have shut their doors for good. Food insecurity has doubled for families with children, and millions of Americans are turning to food banks for the first time. In most states, 1 in 5 households are behind on rent. More than 10 million people are unemployed. But it's been over six months since the House passed the Heroes Act, comprehensive legislation to address these issues months ago. And all this time, Republicans have refused to lift a finger to provide relief to struggling families. It is shameful that it took this long for my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to come to the table. And let me be clear--$600 in direct payments and an additional $300 per week in unemployment is not enough--in fact, it's just half of the aid that we passed in the CARES Act. So, while I am disappointed in my Republican colleagues and recognize this bill is not ideal or as comprehensive as the Heroes Act-it will provide some much-needed relief to the American people until we can pass a more robust stimulus under the Biden Administration. I'd particularly like to thank all the staff from member offices, to committee offices, to leadership and floor staff, who worked long hours and through the weekend to help put this package together. For small businesses, this bill takes action to authorize a second round of PPP loans to the hardest hit businesses. Importantly, it will set aside funding reserved for small businesses with 10 or fewer employees and those in underserved communities. It also utilizes small banks and mission-based community lenders to guarantee fair access to small employers. And finally, this bill provides for what we have been hearing on the ground from small businesses--the need for cash infusions through grants. By establishing new guardrails and allocating $20 billion to the EIDL grant program, we are targeting the hardest hit small businesses to receive these grants. Meanwhile, as shuttered entertainment venues, including our cultural institutions and movie theaters, that depend on large crowds to survive have been closed by the pandemic and faced difficulties accessing PPP and other SBA programs, this bill creates a new $15 billion dollar grant program to target these establishments that have experienced a dramatic decline in revenue. But our efforts do not end here. We will continue to seek more assistance next year because Main Street, especially our independent restaurants, and working families deserve for us to come back to the table to provide a lifeline while we await vaccine distributions. So today, I'm voting yes but I urge my fellow members, let's not stop here. Let's come back in January and pass more relief for the American people.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 683, The Puerto Rico Recovery Accuracy in Disclosures Act of 2619. I am thankful for my friends, Chairman Jerrold Nadler, the Members serving on the Judiciary committee, and the staff who helped bring this bipartisan bill to the floor. Congress passed the Puerto Rico Oversight, Management, and Economic Stability Act--or PROMESA--in 2016 to set up an orderly bankruptcy process to restructure its debt, stimulate economic development, and put the Island on a path to financial recovery. The bill before the House's consideration today, will close a loophole in the Island's debt restructuring process, improve transparency, and restore confidence in the island's future. While we can have differing opinions on how effectively the Oversight Board is carrying out its mission, one thing should be clear--the island's residents should be entitled to the same rights and protections as any debtor on the mainland. The trust the American people have placed in our bankruptcy resolution system is based on a fair, efficient, and transparent process. Transparency, as required by section 327 of Title 11 of the United States Code and Rule 2014 of Federal Bankruptcy procedure, applies to every corporate bankruptcy and ensures any conflicts of interest--or even the perception of such conflict--between those working on the bankruptcy and the debtor are disclosed. However, PROMESA does not have a similar requirement. The bill we are bringing to the floor today addresses this oversight and applies a robust disclosure requirement to all PROMESA Title III proceedings, eliminating the double standard that the People of Puerto Rico. Puerto Ricans should be confident that the Board's bankruptcy advisors do not have their ``thumb on the scale'' to favor certain debts where they have a selfinterest. This bipartisan bill ensures integrity of the PROMESA process. The need for PRRADA was articulated in February 2019, when a board- appointed law firm investigated potential conflicts in Puerto Rico's bankruptcy in response to reports by the press about conflicts of interests by one of the Board's consultants. One of the main recommendations in the ``Luskin Report'' was that vendors should disclose affiliate relationships. The report found that trading in Puerto Rico public debt is particularly problematic, as it gives rise to the appearance of conflict. This is exactly what PRRADA would require vendors to do--and why we need to pass this comprehensive piece of legislation. In closing, PRRADA will guarantee to the people of Puerto Rico the same transparency and disclosure practices required by law in U.S. mainland bankruptcies. Tn the interest of fairness for Puerto Rico's people and for impartiality in restructuring--and thereby securing-- Puerto Rico's future, we must pass H.R. 683 and close this loophole. Once more, I would like to thank Chairman Nadler, the staff and the bipartisan cosponsors of this bill. I strongly encourage all members to vote ``Yes'' on this critical piece of legislation.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of this legislation because it will restore justice to our most marginalized communities, and it will boost our economy. I thank Speaker Pelosi, Chairman Nadler, and my fellow chairs, for bringing this legislation to the floor today. The MORE Act takes meaningful action to address systemic injustices by removing cannabis from its current classification as a schedule I drug and incentivizing States to expunge low-level possession records. As chair of the Small Business Committee, I am proud to have championed measures included in the bill that will expand capital access and Federal small business development resources to the cannabis sector. We cannot forget that while communities of color have disproportionately suffered from the so-called war on drugs, they have also been locked out of traditional capital markets. That is why the MORE Act is the best legislation to advance progress on this issue, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes''.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill before us today, H.R. 8211, the 504 Modernization and Small Manufacturer Enhancement Act of 2020, a bill that makes important improvements to the SBA's 504 Loan Program. Over 62 years ago, Congress created the 504 Loan Program at SBA to help America's small businesses access affordable, long-term capital needed to purchase land, real estate, heavy machinery, equipment, and other fixed assets. The program is a true public-private partnership. An SBA-backed Certified Development Company provides 40 percent of the financing; a bank or credit union provides 50 percent; and the small business borrower provides 10 percent. This structure has proved to be extremely successful for all parties involved. However, earlier this Congress, our Investigations, Oversight and Regulations Subcommittee heard from stakeholders who expressed concerns with the loan closing process, specifically that delays have caused loans to fall through and businesses to lose out on affordable financing. To that end, Ms. Craig and Mr. Chabot have put forth today's bill to streamline the closing process and make compliance easier for CDCs, borrowers, and third-party lenders alike. The bill also enhances access to capital for small manufacturers by increasing the maximum 504. Loan amount for small manufacturers from $5.5 million to $6.5 million. These changes address the issues we have heard in our engagement with CDCs and their borrowers in our districts. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Craig and Mr. Chabot for their hard work and applaud them for their efforts to make bipartisan improvements to this valuable program. Mr. Speaker, I recommend a ``yes'' vote to all my colleagues in the House, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8211) to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to improve the loan guaranty program, enhance the ability of small manufacturers to access affordable capital, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. The SBA's 504 program has enjoyed a track record of success in delivering affordable, long-term capital to small businesses for acquiring land, real estate, or heavy machinery. Furthermore, the CDCs who deliver the program are actively involved in promoting local economic development, especially for underserved business communities. As the chair of the Small Business Committee, I have seen the values CDCs have delivered in my community in New York City, across the State, and across the country. I am proud of our opportunity here today to continue supporting their work and helping entrepreneurs access affordable capital, especially as our local economies continue adjusting to the realities of conducting business in the COVID-19 era. I want to applaud the work by Ms. Craig and Ranking Member Chabot for their collaboration to improve the 504 loan program. I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Minnesota (Ms. Craig), the sponsor of the bill.

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, in almost a decade, Community Advantage lenders have delivered over $770 million in affordable capital to underserved small businesses across America, assisting women- and minority-owned businesses that have historically struggled to secure affordable capital through traditional means, yet new lenders are hesitant to participate because of its pilot status and frequently changing rules. Today's bill will remedy these problems and ultimately grow the CA program to deliver more capital to entrepreneurs who need access to affordable capital the most, especially those severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Mr. Speaker, I applaud the work by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Judy Chu) and the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Spano) for their efforts in crafting a bipartisan bill to codify the Community Advantage program. Mr. Speaker, I encourage all my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, before I begin, I would like to take a moment to recognize my good friend and colleague, Ranking Member Chabot. Mr. Chabot has led this committee with me for years. Together, we have worked in a bipartisan manner to pass legislation that will help entrepreneurs across the country launch and grow their small businesses. Steve has been an absolute pleasure to work with. Not only is he results-oriented, but he is strongly committed to bipartisanship and finding common ground. While we do not always agree, Ranking Member Chabot has always respected our views and the need to work together to do the right thing for America's small businesses. The bills we are bringing to the floor today represent our committee's long tradition of collaboration. Turning to the legislation now, I rise in support of the bill before us today, H.R. 7903, which would codify the SBA's Community Advantage Loan Program. Initially launched in 2011 as a pilot program, Community Advantage provides 7(a) loan guarantees to nonprofit lenders to make loans up to $250,000 to small businesses in underserved markets. As we all know, businesses in underserved areas have historically struggled to access capital through conventional credit markets. This is particularly true for minority-owned small businesses. According to the Minority Business Development Agency, the loan denial rates for minority-owned firms were about three times higher compared to those of nonminority-owned firms with gross receipts under $500,000. To that end, the Community Advantage program partners with SBA's certified development companies, SBA microlenders, and community development financial institutions, or CDFIs, all of which have deep relationships in the neighborhoods and can expand access to capital in these areas. The Community Advantage program reaches significantly more women and minorities than traditional 7(a) loan programs, which will be critical to helping these groups that were hit especially hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. To fill gaps in lending, it is imperative that we empower the community lenders with the strongest relationships in these areas. We can accomplish this by passing the bill before us today to bring stability and long-needed recognition to a program that has successfully delivered over $770 million in capital since its inception. I thank Ms. Chu and Mr. Spano for working in a bipartisan manner on this important legislation. Mr. Speaker, I recommend a ``yes'' vote to all of my colleagues in the House, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Judy Chu), the sponsor of the bill and the chair of the Subcommittee on Investigations, Oversight and Regulations.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7903) to amend the Small Business Act to establish the Community Advantage Loan Program, as amended.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, since its inception, SBA's 504 program has enabled thousands of businesses to hire employees, grow to more locations, and expand operations. These 504 loans are some of the most affordable for commercial real estate projects, and most only require a 10 percent down payment from small business owners. In its 62-year history, it has proven to be a strong-performing SBA program that has helped entrepreneurs create jobs in every corner of our country. Thanks to Mr. Bishop and Ms. Craig's efforts, the bill before us today will make commonsense improvements to this important program. By shifting all loan closing file review responsibilities to the Office of Credit Risk Management, program integrity will be preserved, and the 504 program will be an affordable financing option for the next generation of entrepreneurs. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8199) to amend the Small Business Act to enhance the Office of Credit Risk Management, to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue rules relating to environmental obligations of certified development companies, and for other purposes, as amended.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the bill before us today, H.R. 8199, which clarifies the role of SBA's Office of Credit Risk Management with respect to the 504 loan program. In 2018, Congress passed bipartisan legislation to codify SBA's Office of Credit Risk Management, which conducts periodic reviews of SBA lenders to ensure they are complying with program requirements and, ultimately, safeguarding the integrity of SBA's loan programs. That legislation focused on the 7(a) loan program, giving the office the regulatory and enforcement tools it needed to conduct oversight over SBA's largest lending partners and hold them accountable. Today's legislation takes that oversight work one step further by increasing the office's responsibilities in supervising the 504 program, bringing much-needed consistency and clarity for all 504 program participants. The bill will shift loan closing file review responsibilities for the 504 loan program to the Office of Credit Risk Management, streamlining and standardizing an important process. By increasing SBA's responsibilities in overseeing the 504 loan program, we are improving the long-term sustainability of the program, ensuring it will be available for the next generation of entrepreneurs. I applaud Mr. Bishop and Ms. Craig for all of their diligence and perseverance on this issue and, more importantly, their commitment to America's small businesses. I urge all my colleagues to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 8229) to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to issue a rule authorizing the Office of Hearings and Appeals to decide appeals relating to the status of HUBZone business concerns, and for other purposes.

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, we all know consistent procedures in government foster a better understanding of the rules and improve overall agency effectiveness. H.R. 8229 furthers that ideal by providing the HUBZone program with parity and uniformity with the women-owned and the service-disabled veteran-owned programs. Furthermore, by making the Office of Hearings and Appeals the final arbiter of all protest eligibility determinations, H.R. 8229 capitalizes on everything the office has to offer: subject matter expertise, efficiency, and transparency. I thank Mrs. Radewagen and Ms. Houlahan for working together on this bipartisan solution. Lastly, I would like to take a moment to thank the ranking member, Mr. Chabot, for his outstanding service on the Small Business Committee. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Chabot and I have led this committee together through four Congresses, each of us spending equal time as chair and ranking member. Throughout it all, he has been an incredible partner, working closely with me in good times and bad. Over the course of our tenure, we have shepherded scores of bipartisan bills through the House, giving small businesses better access to capital, counseling, and Federal contracts. We have held numerous oversight hearings to make sure SBA programs were operating effectively and efficiently for small businesses, regardless of which party held the White House. In sum, we worked very well together. You may ask what is the secret to our success, especially during these polarizing times. And I will point to Representative Chabot, who is as committed to public service as I am. He puts politics aside and works with Democrats and Republicans alike to solve problems. When the pandemic struck, it hit small businesses particularly hard, and our committee was called to action. Small businesses that were once thriving were fighting for their very survival. Our committee was working day and night, trying to develop a bipartisan package in mere days that will provide economic relief to small businesses. These were trying economic times, and we needed to bring people together and act fast to rescue small businesses. It wasn't easy, but one thing was certain. I was fortunate to have Ranking Member Chabot by my side. Mr. Speaker, I am proud of the relief we have been able to deliver to our Main Street small businesses. I would also be remiss if I didn't mention Ranking Member Chabot's excellent staff, who have worked tirelessly with us. I thank Kevin Fitzpatrick, Jan Oliver, Joe Hartz, Rob Yavor, Vivian Ling, Delia Barr, Alison Kerman, and Rachel Emmons for their commitment and dedication. They have worked hand in glove with my staff to ensure hearings went well and the pandemic relief programs were working as intended. Mr. Speaker, I am saddened that Ranking Member Chabot will not be returning to the committee as ranking member in the next Congress. I will certainly miss our conversations during hearings and listening to the many unique ways his name is pronounced. I thought my name was tough. Steve, you will be sorely missed. Thank you for your leadership, dedication, and willingness to work across the aisle to make our world a little bit brighter. I wish you the very best in the next Congress. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 8229, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 8229, the Parity for HUBZone Appeals Act of 2020, introduced by the gentlewoman from American Samoa (Mrs. Radewagen) and the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan). H.R. 8229 will grant SBA's Office of Hearings and Appeals jurisdiction over appeals of HUBZone eligibility determinations. The Office of Hearings and Appeals provides independent quasi-judicial review of certain SBA program decisions. Under current law, the office decides appeals of eligibility determinations in the women-owned and service-disabled veteran-owned small business contracting programs, but it does not review appeals for the HUBZone program. That process is different. When a protest challenging a HUBZone designation is filed, SBA's HUBZone director will review and make a decision. If the decision is appealed, the head of the Office of Government Contracting and Business Development will review and render a decision, which is final. By shifting HUBZone eligibility appeals to the Office of Hearings and Appeals, H.R. 8229 achieves priority and uniformity in SBA's contracting programs. Moreover, it promotes transparency since the office's decisions are published. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute and recognize this year's Community Heroes for their life-time record of public service, social activism, and charity. 2020 will be remembered as one of the most unprecedented times in modem history. The COVID-19 pandemic has tested us and forever changed our lives. It has exposed our vulnerabilities but has also given rise to countless community heroes who, amid their own personal challenges, demonstrate courage and resilience. I am honored to congratulate this year's extraordinary Lower East Side recipients of CODA's Community Hero Awards. Their service is immeasurable, and the residents of my district are enriched and strengthened by their contributions. Camille Napoleon, Vice-President of the Baruch Houses Tenants Association and a dedicated lifetime resident of the New York's City's Loisaida community and Baruch Houses. When the state issued its stay at home order and the pandemic swept the city, Camille knew her neighbors and community would need help to survive this monumental event. Amidst a notable lack of timely response from the City at the height of the lockdown, Camille and her unstoppable crew of volunteers became a lifeline for residents. Operating six days a week, ``Team Camille'' delivered thousands of emergency meals, food boxes, and essential protection supplies to quarantined and homebound seniors, unemployed families, and other vulnerable individuals throughout the Lower East Side's public housing developments. Camille's volunteerism and efforts far exceeded expectations. Today, she continues to serve her neighbors and exemplify her passion for the community. Eric Diaz, Executive Director of Vision Urbana Inc, Food Pantry program. Vison Urbana is a community faith-based led organization dedicated to the underserved families of the Seward Park Extension and its neighboring communities. I recognize Eric Diaz for his leadership and service to the community. The pandemic not only disrupted lives but also the access to the food chain. Constituents in my district encountered empty shelves at local grocery stores and markets. Food insecurity grew to affect a record number of vulnerable residents. Eric swiftly worked to secure and increase resources for the program. Under his leadership, the food pantry program grew to double its distribution and expand its coverage area. It delivered prepared meals and boxed foods to hundreds of seniors and families in need. With his volunteers and partner organizations, Eric and Vision Urbana's pantry program reaffirmed its commitment to its mission and humanity. Shaheeda Smith, who has devoted her life to empowering NYC residents to reclaim their wellness through her innovative approach to dance and movement therapy. Shaheeda, an advocate from Henry Street Settlement's Community Advisory Board, teamed up with Henry Street and Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES), a neighborhood housing and preservation organization, to create the People's Permit Process, a guide to help community members navigate the city's rules and regulations. When COVID-19 rocked the community with biased and violent arrests related to social-distancing regulations enforcement, this civil rights activist interceded. Armed with extensive knowledge in the constitutional right to assemble peacefully, Shaheeda emerged as a bold voice for these victims of unwarranted excessive police force. Journalists and activists have documented numerous excessive force cases related to protests or simply for not wearing a mask. I am proud to know that Shaheeda was proactive and recognized that these actions are unacceptable. Frances Goldin, posthumously, was known as ``the Crusader for the Lower East Side''. Frances had an interesting life as a staunch lifetime advocate and defender of housing, social and civil rights. As early as 1959, she launched a successful campaign that defeated Robert Moses' urban renewal plan to replace affordable housing in the Lower Eastside with a freeway. She was a founding member of the Metropolitan Council on Housing and was a strong defender of the displaced families of Seward Park Urban Renewal area. Her activism was instrumental in ensuring affordable housing for seniors at the newly developed Essex Crossings. In 2019, the 100-unit senior development was named The Goldin in her honor. Frances was also a literary agent who gave a voice to countless aspiring progressive writers who probably never would have their works printed without her support. Lastly, Frances was a proud advocate and champion for the LBGTQ community. She was iconic for attending New York City's Pride Parade. Before her passing, she was pictured in the papers at the parade on her wheelchair. Despite her unfortunate passing at the peak of the pandemic, her legacy lives on through her children and the many lives she touched over the years. At the time her passing the New York Times called her a ``. . . protester, provocateur and voice for lost causes.'' Frances was that and more, she was a trailblazer and a woman on a lifetime mission for justice. The Lower East Side community will forever remember Frances Goldin.