Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Michigan (Ms. Scholten), the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for closing. I understand that complying with Federal, State, and local regulations can be onerous for small business owners. Small businesses do not always have the resources that larger companies do to monitor regulatory actions. That is why having a centralized website for them to access Federal guidance and learn more about their responsibilities under a rule is vitally important. We shouldn't be fooled by antiregulation rhetoric. Federal regulations can and do benefit small businesses and boost our economy. Our jobs reports over the past 2 years attest to that. The Biden administration is building an economy that is delivering for Americans, adding more than 14 million new jobs since taking office. The U.S. economy is experiencing a record small business boom, with more Americans launching a business than ever before. Mr. Speaker, I thank Mr. Molinaro and Ms. Scholten for their bipartisan work in crafting a bill that we can all support. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Houlahan, Ms. Scholten, Mr. Stauber, and Ms. Tenney for their work on H.R. 4670 and getting it to the floor today. Mr. Speaker, well over a decade ago, I helped enact and implement the SBA's Women-Owned Small Business program to better serve female entrepreneurs and small businesses contracting with the Federal Government. Unfortunately, setting up this program proved to be a challenge, and it was delayed longer than anticipated. As of now, it is up and running, and women-owned firms are certified by the SBA or a national certifying entity to participate in contracting programs. This has led to improvements in the program's execution and enhanced its integrity. Most importantly, it has helped thousands of women-owned firms compete in the Federal marketplace. However, there are some aspects of the program with less visibility, including and especially the operations of the four national certifying entities working with the SBA. That is why additional oversight is warranted, and this bill provides it. This Small Business Contracting Transparency Act requires annual reports on the WOSB certification process to ensure it is serving female entrepreneurs as we intended. Having this information is critical to further strengthening and improving the program to meet the needs of both the Federal Government and women-owned small firms. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4670, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Pennsylvania (Ms. Houlahan).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, the Federal Government routinely fails to meet the goals of awarding 5 percent of contract dollars to women-owned small businesses. While this administration has prioritized meeting these goals and last year awarded over $28 billion to women-owned firms, more can be done. H.R. 4670, as amended, is an important step in that direction. It ensures that we have the necessary information to conduct proper oversight of the SBA's programs designed to assist women who start and grow government contracting firms. Mr. Speaker, I thank the sponsors of this bill and appreciate the bipartisan work of the committee to build in the HUBZone and SDVOSB programs. They face issues as well and could benefit from the additional reporting. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I rise in support of H.R. 5427, which puts into statute current rules which prohibit anyone convicted of defrauding the government from receiving an SBA loan. Over the course of the pandemic, the SBA disbursed approximately $1.2 trillion in economic aid. The vast majority of this aid was a lifeline to keep small businesses afloat during troubling and uncertain economic times. Unfortunately, bad actors took advantage of the program early in the pandemic when SBA removed or weakened internal controls. To that end, the Biden administration reinstituted longstanding antifraud controls and put new safeguards into place to curb the flow of pandemic dollars to fraudsters, and they remain in place today. Before issuing a loan, SBA screens applicants on the government's Do Not Pay list and then checks its internal database for any fraudulent flags or holds. While borrowers have an opportunity to clear their names, the SBA will not move forward until the holds are cleared. The bill we are considering today is closely aligned with the actions taken by the Biden administration, and it will send a strong message that SBA will not do business with anyone who defrauded the government. With that said, the single most important action Congress can take to recover fraudulent pandemic funds is to fully fund the SBA Inspector General and give the office the resources it needs to go after bad actors. In the last Congress, Representative Luetkemeyer and I sponsored two laws to extend the statute of limitations for fraud in the PPP and EIDL program to 10 years. Without additional resources, the OIG will not be able to capitalize on these new laws. In closing, Mr. Speaker, I appreciate the bipartisan work of Chairman Williams and Representatives Mfume and Bean, I urge my colleagues to support the legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Mfume), who is the ranking member of the Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations Subcommittee.

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, this bill prohibits anyone convicted of defrauding the government with respect to the SBA's pandemic programs from receiving loan disaster financial assistance from the SBA. While there may be disagreement on the actual estimates of fraud in the pandemic programs, it is clear we need to work together to protect their integrity. Administrator Guzman has taken steps to put strong controls into place that would prohibit anyone convicted of fraud from receiving financial assistance, and this bill will ensure those controls remain in place with future administrations. I thank Chairman Williams, Mr. Mfume, and Mr. Bean for their efforts, and I urge my colleagues to support the legislation. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on H.R. 5427, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to support H.R. 4480, the Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act, also known as the SERV Act, as amended. Veteran entrepreneurs are powerful economic engines and job creators. More than 2.4 million veteran businessowners employ more than 5.7 million Americans and contribute approximately $1.2 trillion annually to our GDP. With that said, one of the biggest challenges facing veteran-owned small businesses is access to capital. Servicemembers report that it can be difficult to build credit while serving in the military, and studies have shown that a higher percentage of veterans are turned down for loans. The SERV Act requires GAO to conduct a study on the availability of credit to veteran-owned, service-disabled-, and reservist-owned small businesses. The study would provide a report on the obstacles facing veterans, including the extent to which deployment and other military responsibilities affect their credit histories. Most importantly, it requires the SBA Interagency Task Force on Veterans Small Business Development to create an outreach plan to promote the many valuable programs available to help veteran small business owners. Representative Davids has been a staunch supporter of efforts to aid veteran entrepreneurs. She first introduced this legislation in the 116th Congress, and it passed the House with broad bipartisan support. As the chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Tax, and Capital Access in the 117th Congress, she led efforts to make capital more affordable for all small firms. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support this bill to ensure Congress is working to address the challenges veteran small employers face, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, our country is experiencing a small business boom and veteran entrepreneurship is helping to lead the way. SBA offers a number of counseling and training programs that can help them either launch or grow a small business. It is vitally important that we increase the awareness of SBA programs and services, particularly among veterans. I applaud Ms. Davids and Mr. Alford for their commitment to our Nation's veterans, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4480, as amended. Mr. Speaker, in closing, I thank Chairman Williams for bringing these six bills to the floor and for working in a bipartisan manner. I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the impact of the impending government shutdown on communities in my district that are experiencing the worst flash flooding since Hurricane Ida, which killed more than 40 people across the state. As we are in the middle of House Republican infighting that is jeopardizing the ability to keep the government open, our federal government's ability to serve the American people is threatened. Essential services from government agencies and employees pay will be affected as many face furlough and uncertainty about retroactive pay. In New York State, the Governor and Mayor have declared a state of emergency, but they cannot look to the federal government at a time when funding is uncertain. Right now, in New York City, highways are closed, vehicles are stranded, subway trains have stalled, utility infrastructure is flooded and damaged, and many New Yorkers on the way to work and school have had their daily routines severely impacted. At a time like this we look to the federal government for resources, but Congress has not passed legislation to replenish the FEMA disaster relief fund, which is the primary pot of money the agency uses to respond to storms. Republicans refusing to work with Democrats and pass a clean Continuing Resolution are failing to support communities recovering from disasters during hurricane season. The Continuing Resolution Republicans have proposed hurts FEMA's readiness by neglecting the pressing need for additional disaster relief funds to address existing shortfalls and prepare for unforeseen future disasters. Due to climate change, storms have intensified and become more frequent across the country resulting in a record number of billion-dollar disasters to date. The importance of the FEMA disaster relief fund cannot be understated and the ability to deploy resources and funds by keeping the federal government open is even more critical. Constituents in my district in Brooklyn and Queens living in single family homes and public housing complexes will be dealing with the impact of intense flash flooding for days after the storm passes. My constituents deserve a functioning government, not a shutdown. As communities vulnerable to flooding continue to bear the brunt of climate change, a government shutdown will leave New Yorkers and state and local government without critical assistance. Republican's refusal to fund the government will wreak havoc on New York's ability to recover from these floods in the days and months to come.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in solidarity with UAW members across the country fighting for a fair contract. As we stand here today, over 12,000 autoworkers are striking in Michigan, Missouri, and Ohio. Over 100,000 more UAW stand ready to do what is necessary to secure better wages, benefits, and working conditions. Their priorities are not extreme. In the past decade, the Big Three automakers made an astronomical $250 billion in profits. During that same time, CEO pay at these companies has increased 40 percent while workers' wages have increased only 6 percent. These record profits were built on the backs of workers. Today, UAW members are demanding that they receive their fair share of this record windfall. This is not extreme. It is what these workers are entitled to. The Big Three automakers must recognize this and negotiate with UAW in good faith to resolve the standoff with justice and fairness.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I applaud Representative Schneider, Chairman Williams, Representative McGarvey, and Representative Ellzey for their dedication and commitment to our Nation's veterans. Mr. Schneider has been a long-time champion of this legislation to codify the Boots to Business Program. Over the years, the committee has held a number of hearings examining SBA's programs that benefit veteran entrepreneurship, and we have heard from scores of veterans that the program has been a resounding success. In fiscal year 2022, nearly 24,000 veterans, transitioning servicemembers, and military spouses received Boots to Business entrepreneurship training. Starting a business is not for the faint of heart. It takes courage, perseverance, resourcefulness, and leadership to launch a successful enterprise. Many of these qualities are inherent in those that serve our country. Despite the skills and expertise, many servicemembers have difficulty transitioning to civilian life. A recent survey conducted by the Syracuse University Institute for Veterans and Military Families found 44 percent expressed difficulty with transitioning from military life, and 53 percent say they did not know what they wanted to do as civilians. It is imperative that we enact this legislation and provide the certainty to veterans that this training will continue to be available to them as they leave the service. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 1606, the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act, as amended, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Schneider), the sponsor of the bill.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, let me first thank all of our veterans who have dedicated their lives to service. Their dedication to our country and commitment to preserving our freedoms is greatly appreciated. As our Nation's servicemembers complete their final tour and begin their transition back to civilian life, it is important that we provide opportunities for them to pursue the American Dream. Owning and running a successful small business is the epitome of that dream. Codifying the Boots to Business Program would allow thousands of servicemembers, their spouses, and veterans to receive vital training on how to build a successful small business. I thank Mr. Schneider, Chairman Williams, Mr. McGarvey, and Mr. Ellzey for their bipartisan work on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I strongly support the Veterans Entrepreneurship Training Act, as amended, and I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes.'' Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, today we are in the midst of a manufactured crisis that would have very real devastating consequences for the American people. The extreme MAGA Republicans have taken the American economy hostage and presented the country with two disastrous choices: default or draconian spending cuts. A default would erase millions of jobs, trigger a recession, devastate retirement accounts, and increase borrowing costs. On the other hand, the cuts being promoted by the extreme MAGA Republicans would take Medicaid away from millions, snatch food assistance away from families, and even slash veterans' healthcare. We need five moderate Republicans to sign the petition. New York State sent five moderate Republicans to the House. Where are they today? New York State, please take notice. When we needed them, they were not here doing right by the American people.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition of this cruel, extreme, and unworkable policy. The United States has long been a beacon for those coming from other countries in search of a better life. The bill before us today will end the asylum system as we know it and eliminate humanitarian protections for people coming to the United States. Many asylum seekers are escaping conditions that we cannot fathom, yet here we are debating a measure that will subject them to more cruelty. Cruelty is the point, but cruelty will not fix our broken immigration system. This bill will make it nearly impossible to seek asylum at the border, upend protections for unaccompanied minors, and mandate that all asylum-seeking families be detained indefinitely, regardless if they are with children.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, these policies will only exacerbate the extreme suffering occurring at the southern border. If Republicans really wanted to address this crisis, they would join Democrats to pass real, comprehensive immigration reform. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to oppose this cruel, draconian bill.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chair, I rise today in opposition to this legislation. First, I thank the ranking member of the Natural Resources Committee for yielding. Climate change is an existential threat to the United States and the world. Without action to reduce emissions, the damage to our Nation, economy, and future generations will be immeasurable. Americans understand the severity of this moment. That is why polling shows that most Americans want to prioritize the development of alternative energy sources over expanding the production of fossil fuels. The bill before us today will do the exact opposite. H.R. 1, the polluters over people act, is a brazen giveaway to the oil, gas, and mining industries. As Big Oil reaps record profits thanks to billions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies, this bill will rubberstamp the construction of new natural gas pipelines and shut government agencies out of the review process. H.R. 1 will also mandate the auctioning of our public lands for oil and gas leases, make it easier to export liquefied natural gas to foreign adversaries, and allow oil companies to price gouge working families. This bill effectively gives energy companies a license to pollute. Simply put, it is a disaster for our environment and our fight against climate change. Americans do not want energy policy to come at the expense of public health. Many of my constituents have suffered for years from air pollution emitted from a local plant that runs on burning natural gas and fuel oil. This pollution has resulted in generations of families developing asthma in what is colloquially known as asthma alley. H.R. 1 will encourage this dangerous pollution in communities across the country. That is why I have submitted two amendments. One will protect these at-risk localities by removing restrictions preventing individuals from suing in response to a violation of NEPA if they bring a claim related to protecting public health. My second amendment would require publicly traded companies to disclose their goals and actions related to greenhouse gas emissions and meeting the goals of the Paris climate accord. These amendments were rejected by the Rules Committee, as were over 90 percent of the amendments proposed by my Democratic colleagues. So much for the open amendment process Republicans promised when they took over the majority. H.R. 1 is a reckless bill that empowers polluters to boost profits for Republicans' industry friends. Last year, Democrats acted to lower energy costs for working families and weaken our dependence on fossil fuels by passing the Inflation Reduction Act. The IRA was the largest-ever investment in fighting climate change while creating thousands of good-paying jobs, attracting billions of dollars in investment, and lowering the average American family's energy costs by about $1,800 a year. H.R. 1 seeks to reverse the progress we have made since passing the IRA. Mr. Chairman, this bill will take us backward both economically and environmentally, and I urge my colleagues to oppose it.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this resolution. For 50 years, the Clean Water Act has safeguarded our rivers, streams, and wetlands from pollution and degradation. Before the passage of the Clean Water Act in 1972, New York City dumped millions of gallons of raw sewage and trash into the East River every day. Today, thanks to the CWA, we have made significant progress cleaning up the East River and the Hudson, so much so that marine life, like the humpback whale and dolphins, have been spotted in recent years. This environmental progress is not unique to New York. Communities across the country have experienced the benefits of cleaner water, but the advantages of the CWA aren't limited to the environment. The law has also helped our economy. Yesterday, during a Small Business Committee hearing on this topic, the owner of a South Carolina seafood company testified on the fundamental importance of clean water to his business. Robust Federal protection for clean water is a prerequisite for the success of businesses in a range of industries all across our country. Despite this, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle want to allow industries to pollute our waters while shifting the cost of pollution to families, businesses, and communities downstream. They want to continue Trump administration policies that significantly limited Federal protections for clean water by excluding safeguards for many wetlands and streams. Mr. Speaker, that is why I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this resolution.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today on International's Women Day to honor and celebrate in memoriam Dr. Antonia Pantoja, a Puerto Rican educator, social worker, organizer, prolific author, and resilient social justice activist. Her contributions to the Puerto Rican community and American society are immeasurable. From a humble upbringing on the outskirts of San Juan, Barrio Obrero, Puerto Rico--Dr. Pantoja emerged as one of the most vocal and passionate advocates for the Puerto Rican Diaspora, inspiring and guiding emerging leaders in New York City since the 1960's. Believing that education and cultural pride were crucial to healing and lifting the community out of poverty, she committed her life to the difficult and necessary awakening of public consciousness. She was a key figure in the fight to resolve the educational and social injustices plaguing the Puerto Rican community in New York. Her contributions were many and include the establishment of bilingual and culturally relevant education in New York and across the U.S. Despite growing up impoverished, she was a determined student and grateful for the opportunity to pursue her education. She received a teaching certificate from the University of Puerto Rico in 1942. In 1944, at the age of 22, she emigrated to New York City to further her education. She landed her first job as a wartime welder where she quickly helped form a union that negotiated better work conditions for employees. The seeds of grass-roots activism, that she learned from her grandfather, a union organizer for a tobacco company, would become part of the basic tools for her future work. Antonia graduated from Hunter College (1952) with a bachelor's degree in Sociology. She went on to earn a Master's Degree from Columbia University School of Social Work (1954) and her Ph.D. from Union Graduate School in Cincinnati, Ohio (1973). Early organizing work led to the founding of the Hispanic American Youth Association (HAYA) in 1957 to address the unmet education, healthcare, and employment needs of her community. Shortly thereafter, the organization was renamed the Puerto Rican Association of Community Affairs (PRACA) to address the unique plight of the Puerto Rican Diaspora. In 1961, Dr. Antonia Pantoja and a group of Puerto Rican educators and professionals created ASPIRA to address the exceedingly high drop- out rate and low educational attainment of Puerto Rican youth. Sparked by the high dropout rates and low educational attainment of Puerto Rican children, Dr. Pantoja worked with ASPIRA of New York to sue the NYC Board of Education (1974). They were successful, and the resulting consent decree is considered a major landmark in the establishment of bilingual education in the United States. Dr. Pantoja helped establish some of the most influential stateside organizations of the time including the National Puerto Rican Forum (1957), ASPIRA (1961), Universidad Boricua, the precursor of Boricua College (1970), and the Graduate School for Community Development (1978) in San Diego. In addition, she established Producir (1984) and Provivienda (1985) in Puerto Rico. The Graduate School for Community Development incorporated her more comprehensive and well formulated understanding of community development and the need to include economic development, art and culture in the development of community. Utilizing these experiences, she then, with her partner, Dr. Wilhelmina Perry, worked with local residents to develop an organization that had a strong economic component to foster local businesses among the women and the farmers. This organization was formed in a rural mountain town in Canovanas, Puerto Rico. Provivienda, a second corporation emanating from Producir, further focused these ideas on low-income housing in Puerto Rico. Since its formation over 62 years ago, ASPIRA has grown from a small nonprofit agency in New York City to a national association with statewide Associate organizations in Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, South, North Carolina, and the ASPIRA Association Office in Washington, D.C. as well as in Puerto Rico. ASPIRA continues to build on Dr. Pantoja's legacy of leadership development and movement building providing extensive cradle-to-career resources for Latina/o youth in communities across the United States. In 1996, she was recognized with the Nation's highest civilian honor by President Clinton when she became the first Puerto Rican woman to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Dr. Antonia Pantoja died of cancer in New York City on May 24, 2002. She was survived by her longtime partner, Dr. Wilhelmina Perry. May we celebrate the countless lives she touched and the myriad ways she helped improve New York.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to this resolution. I think it is important that we clarify what my colleagues on the other side of the aisle believe to be socialist policies. Historically, Republicans have tried to label as socialist any Democratic actions that improve the lives of Americans. In 1996, Senator Bob Dole, the future Republican Presidential nominee, referred to public housing as ``one of the last bastions of socialism'' and called for an end to government-assisted housing programs. Public housing in the United States provides decent and safe housing to 1.3 million families that are working class, elderly, or disabled. This is what Republicans are calling socialism. The 12-point plan to rescue America that Senate Republicans released last year vowed to stop socialism and shrink the Federal Government by enacting extreme policies like putting Social Security and Medicare on the chopping block. Former House Speaker Newt Gingrich promised that Medicare would wither on the vine, thanks to spending cuts to combat what Mr. Gingrich dubbed ``Big Government socialism.'' Social Security and Medicare are hard-earned benefits that provide millions of seniors with healthcare and retirement funds every year. This is what Republicans call socialism. From climate action and public education to the Affordable Care Act and Social Security, Republicans classify popular government programs to help working families as socialism. This resolution is a distraction from extremists and nothing more than a thinly veiled scare tactic directed toward voters. Why is it that we are here wasting our time discussing a resolution about socialism? Guess what? Work on the budget. That is what you need to do. You refuse to work on the budget because you will have to tell the American people that you intend to cut benefits for Social Security and Medicare.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 399, the Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2023. Let me begin by welcoming the new chairman of the Small Business Committee (Mr. Williams of Texas). The committee has a long tradition of setting partisan differences aside and working together on behalf of America's small businesses. I am glad we are off to a good start in the 118th Congress. Today, we are considering three bills that overwhelmingly passed the House in the last Congress. As the chairwoman of the House Small Business Committee in the 117th Congress, I worked closely with my colleagues on the committee and stakeholders to craft dozens of bills that will increase access to capital, expand opportunities for free and low-cost counseling, and boost entrepreneurship. The three bills we are considering today are a product of that hard work, and I am hopeful that we will continue in the spirit of bipartisanship and focus on areas of agreement throughout the 118th Congress. Turning to our first bill, the Office of Advocacy was established in 1976 to be an independent voice for small businesses within the Federal Government and is tasked with representing the views of small businesses before Congress, the White House, and other Federal agencies. To that end, the office has regional advocates on the ground that provide outreach to small businesses, local chambers of commerce, and other associations to hear firsthand the concerns of small businesses. The office works closely with Federal agencies to elevate these concerns throughout the rulemaking process. Over the years, their hard work has saved small businesses billions of dollars in regulatory costs while still accomplishing the important goals of the regulations. However, their charter does not specifically state that they have the authority to represent the views of small businesses before foreign governments and international entities. H.R. 399 will simply clarify that the Office of Advocacy has the authority to examine international economic data and represent small businesses in international discussions, particularly in trade negotiations. I thank Chairman Williams, Mr. Luetkemeyer, Mr. Carter of Louisiana, and Mr. Mfume for their bipartisan work on this bill. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.