Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4252) to provide for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 through May 23, 2008, and for other purposes.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, today we will consider a short-term extension for programs in the Small Business Act and Small Business Investment Act. This bill extends the authorization of the Small Business Administration and these programs through May 23, 2008. This short-term extension is necessary to ensure continuous operations at the agencies so that this Nation's entrepreneurs continue to receive vital assistance. The programs at the SBA are designed to stimulate job creation and economic development across the country. As the sole Federal agency charged with assisting this Nation's 26 million small businesses, it is critical that the SBA is able to meet their needs through access to capital, technical assistance and increasing their ability to secure Federal contracting opportunities. The Small Business Committee has been working to improve and revitalize these efforts through a number of bills. The committee has taken steps to provide an overhaul and improvements to ensure our Federal Government is adapting to the current economy. With 15 bills passed out of the House, these reforms have been a collaborative and bipartisan effort to assist small firms. Four of these bills were sponsored by Members of the minority, and nearly all of these bills have passed with over 300 votes in the House. I will also note that 10 different members of the committee, six of whom are serving their first term in Congress, have been the sponsors of these bills. These reforms include major changes to SBA programs which affect millions of small businesses. The bills that have been passed are designed to improve small business contracting programs, as well as providing needed updates to the SBA disaster program that failed so many Americans during Hurricane Katrina. The committee and the House have also reported legislation which streamlines the SBA access to capital initiatives and increases the outreach of entrepreneurial programs. With these bills passed out of this Chamber, we are prepared to take the final step to pass a comprehensive reauthorization to the SBA and its programs. We will continue working with the Senate to get these reforms signed into law. This extension will provide time for the Senate to move their own changes and allow us to work out any differences. At a time when the economy is in an uncertain state, it is important that these programs continue to serve small firms as Congress crafts these reforms. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Chabot to move ahead on these efforts. Our common goal is to ensure the SBA can adequately and efficiently respond to the needs of entrepreneurs. Our Nation's main job creators, small businesses, deserve nothing less. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam 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.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam 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.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. In their service to the Nation, veterans have demonstrated strength, discipline and dedication to preserving security. At home, they have proven to be invaluable components of a strong economy. We have already seen the impact veterans can have on the business community. Currently, approximately 22 percent of servicemembers in the United States have either purchased or started a new business. These entrepreneurs are significant contributors to job growth and expansion of local economies. I wish to commend Congressman Jason Altmire and Congressman Vern Buchanan for their leadership in crafting this bill that will further this effort. H.R. 4253 promotes veterans' continued pursuit of self- employment and provides them with the support for growth that they deserve. It accomplishes this objective by comprehensively updating several of the Small Business Administration's programs to better meet the current needs of veteran entrepreneurs. The bill addresses several of the impediments to veterans' success as entrepreneurs. Because servicemembers are removed from the workforce for an extended period of time, they can often then face difficulties securing capital or technical assistance upon their return from service. Additionally, while many veterans receive specialized skills during their service, it is often quite difficult transforming those skills into profitable resources. We can increase veteran entrepreneurial opportunities by creating the right tools to ensure their success. H.R. 4253 responds to these challenges by establishing a strong role for the Federal Government to help veterans overcome obstacles to entrepreneurship. The legislation increases veterans' access to affordable capital, enhances entrepreneurial development resources, and sharpens the focus of Federal resources on this key member of the small business community. Veterans will have improved access to capital with specially tailored initiatives in the SBA's 7(a) and disaster loan programs. This will help returning servicemen and women bridge the gap for financial capital that they need to start and grow a new endeavor. By increasing outreach assistance centers and entrepreneurial development program resources, the bill also improves access to assistance that will help veteran entrepreneurs evaluate business ideas, conduct market research, and receive technology training. This legislation will also establish an interagency task force that will take a lead role in altering the institutional culture at the Federal level to promote increased veteran entrepreneurship. This will significantly improve the coordination of various Federal agencies' veteran service programs. Additionally, new initiatives will improve transition assistance for separating servicemembers, and provide customized support to service disabled, women veterans, and the members of the reserves. This will ensure that all sectors are considered in Federal veteran policymaking. As new troops are added to the already 13,000 that have returned home just from Iraq and Afghanistan, it is imperative that our resources and initiatives are designed to effectively prepare them for economic success. With their tremendous potential to thrive as entrepreneurs and their critical service for which we all greatly benefit, we must continue to work to allow these budding entrepreneurs to realize the American Dream of business ownership. I believe this bill is a major step towards realizing this goal, and I strongly support this legislation. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 4253. I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I would like to yield myself the balance of my time. Madam Speaker, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have produced over 600,000 new veterans thus far and have created a serious challenge for the Nation: how to facilitate our returning servicemembers' successful transition back home and into our economy. Given the ongoing nature of these conflicts, the shift in economic opportunities and the diverse needs of returning veterans, this is an unprecedented situation that will require a major and rapid response. To promote veterans' abilities to be productive engines of the economy, I believe we must comprehensively modernize Federal programs designed to assist this key group through self-employment opportunities. H.R. 4253 achieves this objective by obtaining the Small Business Administration programs to ensure they are customized to meet the growing needs of this sector in a changing economy. This Nation has a clear obligation to ensure that our returning servicemembers have the assistance they need to succeed at entrepreneurship. By complementing their individual strengths with appropriate Federal resources, we can help them realize their full potential, while also growing the economy. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the staff that worked on this bill. From the majority staff, Michael Day, Adam Minehardt and Andy Jimenez. From the minority staff, Barry Pineles and Kevin Fitzpatrick. I also want to recognize Max Goodman from Mr. Buchanan's staff and Cara Toman and Erik Komendant from Mr. Altmire's staff. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 4253.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I recognize Mr. Altmire, the sponsor of the legislation, for as much time as he may consume.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time, and urge its adoption.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, our economy is constantly evolving and changing. For this Nation's 27 million small firms to be successful, our economic policies must be adjusted accordingly. While we have made great strides in this Congress to make sure the needs of small business owners are met, H.R. 3866 is the final step in reauthorizing small business assistance programs, ensuring the success and growth of small firms. Today, entrepreneurs are faced with many challenges. They must compete in a global marketplace, deal with rising energy and health care costs, and find ways to access affordable capital. To alleviate many of these burdens, we have passed initiatives in this Congress that provide the overall tools for entrepreneurial success. We have passed legislation that lowers the cost of loans and gives minorities greater access to SBA programs. Through H.R. 3567, SBA's investment programs were improved and a new source of equity capital was open to entrepreneurs through angel investment. Also, small business contracting programs has been modernized, accountability has been increased, and fraud has been reduced. This makes sure small firms have fair access to the Federal marketplace and allows them to continue growing their companies and creating jobs. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, entrepreneurs were faced with delays in disaster loans, overwhelming amounts of paperwork, and a lengthy application process leaving them frustrated and discouraged. The RECOVER Act ensures that the SBA is prepared, has a large, well- trained disaster response workforce, and that delays and poor service encountered by victims of hurricanes do not happen again. While critical, these initiatives are just the first step. The Small Business Programs Act of 2007 provides the vehicle for SBA's small business assistance programs to run and meet the needs of entrepreneurs in our changing economy. Most importantly, it gives the SBA the necessary resources to continue helping small businesses start and expand. H.R. 3866 extends SBA's small business assistance programs for the next 2 years. Also, this bill provides the necessary authority for the SBA to carry out its lending and venture capital programs, ensuring SBA's initiatives are the premier lending tools for entrepreneurs. The SBA and its programs are vital to assisting small businesses across this country. Along with the Small Business Development Centers, Women Business Centers, and SCORE, the SBA has worked to meet the rising demand for services at a time when their budget continues to decrease. These programs have a proven track record of success, but they require sufficient resources to be able to evolve and modernize. Clearly, in order for small firms to adapt to changing economic conditions, small business assistance programs must be adjusted. There is no larger job creator or greater impact on local communities in this country than small firms. H.R. 3866 arms small business assistance programs with the tools that allow entrepreneurs to continue spurring economic growth. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for the Small Business Programs Act of 2007. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, 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 H.R. 3866, as amended.

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, there is no question that today's economic environment is increasingly difficult for small firms to thrive in. We have seen record highs in gas prices, unmanageable health care costs and barriers in the way of accessing affordable capital. Now, more than ever, small businesses need assistance programs they can rely on that are well- equipped to meet their needs. With the Small Business Programs Act of 2007 that is exactly what we are giving entrepreneurs. This legislation ensures that our Nations's 27 million entrepreneurs have access to the business development assistance that they need and deserve. These firms employ one half of our workforce, spur economic development and revitalize our communities. When their businesses are growing and flourishing, the benefits are felt across the country. With the passage of H.R. 3866, we set program levels for SBA's entrepreneurial assistance initiatives, updating and modernizing them. The primary role of the SBA is to help entrepreneurs who have the drive but need assistance. It is clear that small firms play a crucial role in our economy. By ensuring that these businesses have current and sufficient assistance, we are investing in our communities, helping to create jobs, and benefiting the Nation as a whole. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Ranking Member Chabot for your collaboration for us to work together in a responsible way, to follow regular order, and I am very proud that every time that we have considered legislation, we have done so in a very inclusive, open way and we can show results. With the passage of this bill, we have passed 15 bills through the House of Representatives. I am very proud of that product. It shows the things that can be done when we respect each other despite our differences. But we show the American public that we are willing to work together on their behalf. I also would like to take an opportunity to thank the staff that worked on this legislation from the Small Business Committee majority staff, Tim Slattery and Michael Day, and from the minority staff, Barry Pineles, Kevin Fitzpatrick and Mike Smullen. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3866, the Small Business Programs Act of 2007. General Leave

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close if the gentleman is prepared to close.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 3866) to reauthorize certain programs under the Small Business Act for each of fiscal years 2008 and 2009, as amended.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, in accordance with clause 2(a) of rule XI of the Rules of the House of Representatives, I respectfully submit the rules of the Committee on Small Business for printing in the Congressional Record. The Committee on Small Business adopted these rules by voice vote, a quorum being present, at our organizational meeting on January 31, 2007. Rules and Procedures Adopted by the Committee on Small Business, U.S. House of Representatives, 110th Congress, 2007-2008 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS The Rules of the House of Representatives, and in particular the committee rules enumerated in rule XI, are the rules of the Committee on Small Business to the extent applicable and by this reference are incorporated. Each subcommittee of the Committee on Small Business (hereinafter referred to as the ``committee'') is a part of the committee and is subject to the authority and direction of the committee, and to its rules to the extent applicable. 2. REFERRAL OF BILLS BY CHAIRWOMAN Unless retained for consideration by the committee, all legislation and other matters referred to the committee shall be referred by the Chairwoman to the subcommittee of appropriate jurisdiction within 14 calendar days. Where the subject matter of the referral involves the jurisdiction of more than one subcommittee or does not fall within any previously assigned jurisdictions, the Chairwoman shall refer the matter, as she may deem advisable. 3. DATE OF MEETING The regular meeting date of the committee shall be the second Thursday of every month when the House is in session. A regular meeting of the committee may be dispensed with if, in the judgment of the Chairwoman, there is no need for the meeting. Additional meetings may be called by the Chairwoman as she may deem necessary or at the request of a majority of the members of the committee in accordance with clause 2(c) of rule XI of the House. At least 3 days notice of such an additional meeting shall be given unless the Chairwoman determines that there is good cause to call the meeting on less notice. The determination of the business to be considered at each meeting shall be made by the Chairwoman subject to clause 2(c) of rule XI of the House. A regularly scheduled meeting need not be held if there is no business to be considered or, upon at least 3 days notice, it may be set for a different date. 4. ANNOUNCEMENT OF HEARINGS Unless the Chairwoman, with the concurrence of the Ranking Minority Member, or the committee by majority vote, determines that there is good cause to begin a hearing at an earlier date, public announcement shall be made of the date, place and subject matter of any hearing to be conducted by the committee at least 7 calendar days before the commencement of that hearing. After announcement of a hearing, the committee shall make available as soon as practicable to all Members of the committee a tentative witness list and to the extent practicable a memorandum explaining the subject matter of the hearing (including relevant legislative reports and other necessary material). In addition, the Chairwoman shall make available as soon as practicable to the Members of the committee any official reports from departments and agencies on the subject matter as they are received. 5. MEETINGS AND HEARINGS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC (A) Meetings: Each meeting of the committee or its subcommittees for the transaction of business, including the markup of legislation, shall be open to the public, including to radio, television and still photography coverage, except as provided by clause 4 of rule XI of the House, except when the committee or subcommittee, in open session and with a majority present, determines by record vote that all or part of the remainder of the meeting on that day shall be closed to the public because disclosure of matters to be considered would endanger national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or would tend to defame, degrade or incriminate any person or otherwise would violate any law or rule of the House; Provided, however, that no person other than members of the committee, and such congressional staff and such executive branch representatives as they may authorize, shall be present in any business meeting or markup session which has been closed to the public. (B) Hearings: Each hearing conducted by the committee or its subcommittees shall be open to the public, including radio, television and still photography coverage, except when the committee or subcommittee, in open session and with a majority present, determines by record vote that all or part of the remainder of the hearing on that day shall be closed to the public because disclosure of testimony, evidence or other matters to be considered would endanger the national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or would violate any law or rule of the House; Provided, however, that the committee or subcommittee may by the same procedure vote to close one subsequent day of hearings. Notwithstanding the requirements of the preceding sentence, a majority of those present, there being in attendance the requisite number required under the rules of the committee to be present for the purpose of taking testimony, (i) may vote to close the hearing for the sole purpose of discussing whether testimony or evidence to be received would endanger the national security, would compromise sensitive law enforcement information, or violate clause 2(k)(5) of rule XI of the House; or (ii) may vote to close the hearing, as provided in clause 2(k)(5) of rule XI of the House. All members of the committee shall be able to participate in any subcommittee hearing. No member of the House may be excluded from non- participatory attendance at any hearing of the committee or any subcommittee, unless the House of Representatives shall by majority vote authorize the committee or subcommittee, for purposes of a particular series of hearings on a particular article of legislation or on a particular subject of investigation, to close its hearing to members by the same procedures designated for closing hearings to the public. Such members who would like to participate shall notify the Ranking Minority Member and submit a request to the Chairwoman one day in advance of such hearing. 6. WITNESSES (A) Statement of Witnesses: Each witness who is to appear before the committee or subcommittee shall file with the committee at least two business days before the day of his or her appearance 75 copies of his or her written statement of proposed testimony. Each witness shall also submit to the committee a copy of his or her final prepared statement in an electronic format at that time. At least one copy of the statement of each witness shall be furnished directly to the Ranking Minority Member. In addition, all witnesses shall be required to submit with their testimony a curriculum vitae or other statement describing their education, employment, professional affiliations and other background information pertinent to their testimony unless waived by the Chairwoman. Each witness will complete a disclosure form detailing any contracts or business that they currently have with the federal government. The committee will provide public access to its printed materials, including the proposed testimony of witnesses, in electronic form. (B) Interrogation of Witnesses: Whenever any hearing is conducted by the committee or any subcommittee upon any measure or matter, the minority party members on the committee shall be entitled, upon request to the Chairwoman by a majority of those minority members, to call a witness or witnesses selected by the minority to testify with respect to that measure or matter. The minority shall be entitled to a ratio of one-third of the witnesses testifying. For the purposes of determining this ratio, it shall not include testifying government officials. The witnesses requested by the minority shall be invited to testify by the Chairwoman and must furnish at least one copy of his or her statement and any supplementary materials directly to the Chairwoman within one business day before the day of his or her appearance unless waived by the Chairwoman. Except when the committee adopts a motion pursuant to subdivisions (B) and (C) of clause (2)(j)(2) of rule XI of the rules of the House, committee members may question witnesses only when they have been recognized by the Chairwoman for that purpose, and only for a 5-minute period until all members present have had an opportunity to question a witness. The Chairwoman and the Ranking Member shall not be subject to the 5-minute period limitation. For all other Committee Members, the 5-minute period for questioning a witness by any one member can be extended only with the unanimous consent of all members present. The Chairwoman, followed by the Ranking Minority Member and all other members alternating between the majority and minority, shall initiate the questioning of witnesses in both the full and subcommittee hearings. The order for questioning by members of each party shall be determined by the time in which the member arrived at the hearing after the gavel has been struck, with the first arriving having priority over members of his or her party. If members arrive at the same time, then seniority shall dictate the order. In recognizing members to question witnesses, the Chairwoman may take into consideration the ratio of majority and minority members present in such a manner as not to disadvantage the Members of either party. The Chairwoman, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, may decrease the 5-minute time period in order to accommodate the needs of all the Members present and the schedule of the witnesses. 7. SUBPOENAS A subpoena may be authorized and issued by the committee in the conduct of any investigation or series of investigations or activities to require the attendance and testimony of such witness and the production of such books, records, correspondence, memoranda, papers and documents, as deemed necessary. Such a subpoena shall be authorized by a majority vote of the full committee. The requirement that the authorization of a subpoena require a majority vote may be waived by the Ranking Minority Member. The Chairwoman may issue a subpoena, in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, when the House is out for more than three legislative days. 8. QUORUM No measure or recommendation shall be reported unless a majority of the committee was actually present. For purposes of taking testimony or receiving evidence, there shall be one member from the majority and one member from the minority for the purposes of a quorum. Such requirement shall be waived for field hearings. For all other purposes, one-third of the members (or 11 Members) shall constitute a quorum. 9. AMENDMENTS DURING MARK-UP Any amendment offered to any pending legislation before the committee must be made available in written form when requested by any member of the committee. If such amendment is not available in written form when requested, the Chairwoman shall allow an appropriate period for the provision thereof. 10. POSTPONEMENT OF PROCEEDINGS The Chairwoman in consultation with the Ranking Minority Member may postpone further proceedings when a record vote is ordered on the question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an amendment. The Chairwoman may resume proceedings postponed at any time, but no later than the next meeting day. In exercising postponement authority, the Chairwoman shall take all reasonable steps necessary to notify members on the resumption of proceedings on any postponed recorded vote. When proceedings resume on a postponed question, notwithstanding any intervening order for the previous question, an underlying proposition shall remain subject to further debate or amendment to the same extent as when the question was postponed. 11. NUMBER AND JURISDICTION OF SUBCOMMITTEES There will be five subcommittees as follows: Finance and Tax (6 Democratic Members and 5 Republican Members); Contracting and Technology (6 Democratic Members and 5 Republican Members); Regulations, Health Care, and Trade (8 Democratic Members and 7 Republican Members) Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship (7 Democratic Members and 6 Republican Members); Investigations and Oversight (4 Democratic Members and 3 Republican Members). During the 110th Congress, the Chairwoman and Ranking Minority Member shall be ex officio members of all subcommittees, without vote, and the full committee shall have the authority to conduct oversight of all areas of the committee's jurisdiction. In addition, all members of the committee may participate in hearings of any subcommittee of the committee. In addition to conducting oversight in the area of their respective jurisdiction, each subcommittee shall have the following jurisdiction: Subcommittee on Finance and Tax The Small Business Administration (SBA) Lending and Investment programs: Section 7(a) loan program, 504 Certified Development Company program, Small Business Investment Company program, Disaster Loan Assistance programs, and Microloan program; access to capital and finance issues generally; and oversight over tax policy and retirement/ pension matters affecting small businesses. Subcommittee on Contracting and Technology SBA Contracting programs including the following: Section 8(a) Business Development program, Small Disadvantaged Business SDB certification operated by SBA, Women's Procurement Program, HUBZone program, Surety Bond program, Service-disabled veteran procurement, and Section (7)(j) management and technical assistance program. SBA Technology programs: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, Small Business Technology Transfer program; oversight of government-wide procurement practices and programs affecting small businesses and oversight of technology and patent issues. Subcommittee on Regulations, Health Care, and Trade The Regulatory Flexibility Act, the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act, and the Paperwork Reduction Act; SBA's Office of Advocacy, National Ombudsman, and SBA small business size standards; oversight of regulations and regulatory issues that affect small businesses; oversight of health care coverage issues; oversight over issues affecting small health care providers; and oversight of trade issues, including SBA's Office of International Trade. Subcommittee on Rural and Urban Entrepreneurship SBA entrepreneurial development programs: Women's Business Centers, National Veterans Business Development Corporation, Small Business Development Centers, SCORE, Drug Free Workplace program, Office of Women's Business Ownership, and National Women's Business Council (NWBC). New Markets Venture Capital (NMVC) program, New Markets Tax Credit program, BusinessLiNC and the Program for Re- Investment in Micro entrepreneurs. General oversight of programs targeted toward urban and rural economic growth as well as general federal government entrepreneurial development programs; oversight of agricultural issues; and oversight of energy issues. Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight Oversight of SBA Administration, Management, and Agency Practices. Oversight of activities by the Office of the Inspector General at SBA. 12. COMMITTEE STAFF (A) Majority Staff: The employees of the committee, except those assigned to the minority as provided below, shall be appointed and assigned, and may be removed by the Chairwoman. The Chairwoman shall fix their remuneration, and they shall be under the general supervision and direction of the Chairwoman. (B) Minority Staff: The employees of the committee assigned to the minority shall be appointed and assigned, and their remuneration determined, as the Ranking Minority Member of the committee shall determine. (C) Subcommittee Staff: The Chairwoman and Ranking Minority Member of the full committee shall endeavor to ensure that sufficient staff is made available to each subcommittee to carry out its responsibilities under the rules of the committee. 13. POWERS AND DUTIES OF SUBCOMMITTEES Each subcommittee is authorized to meet, hold hearings, receive evidence, and report to the full committee on all matters referred to it. Subcommittee chairmen shall set meeting and hearing dates after approval of the Chairwoman of the full committee. Meetings and hearings of subcommittees shall not be scheduled to occur simultaneously with meetings or hearings of the full committee. 14. RECORDS The committee shall keep a complete record of all actions, which shall include a record of the votes on any question on which a record vote is demanded. The result of each subcommittee record vote, together with a description of the matter voted upon, shall promptly be made available to the full committee. A record of such votes shall be made available for inspection by the public at reasonable times in the offices of the committee. The committee shall keep a complete record of all committee and subcommittee activity which, in the case of any meeting or hearing transcript, shall include a substantially verbatim account of remarks actually made during the proceedings, subject only to technical, grammatical, and typographical corrections authorized by the person making the remarks involved. The records of the committee at the National Archives and Records Administration shall be made available in accordance with rule VII of the Rules of the House. The Chairwoman of the full committee shall notify the Ranking Minority Member of the full committee of any decision, pursuant to clause 3(b)(3) or clause 4(b) of rule VII of the House, to withhold a record otherwise available, and the matter shall be presented to the committee for a determination of the written request of any member of the committee. 15. ACCESS TO CLASSIFIED OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION Access to classified or sensitive information supplied to the committee and attendance at closed sessions of the committee or its subcommittees shall be limited to members and necessary committee staff and stenographic reporters who have appropriate security clearance when the Chairwoman determines that such access or attendance is essential to the functioning of the committee. The procedures to be followed in granting access to those hearings, records, data, charts, and files of the committee which involve classified information or information deemed to be sensitive shall be as follows: (A) Only Members of the House of Representatives and specifically designated committee staff of the Committee on Small Business may have access to such information. (B) Members who desire to read materials that are in the possession of the committee should notify the clerk of the committee. (C) The clerk will maintain an accurate access log, which identifies the circumstances surrounding access to the information, without revealing the material examined. (D) If the material desired to be reviewed is material which the committee or subcommittee deems to be sensitive enough to require special handling, before receiving access to such information, individuals will be required to sign an access information sheet acknowledging such access and that the individual has read and understands the procedures under which access is being granted. (E) Material provided for review under this rule shall not be removed from a specified room within the committee offices. (F) Individuals reviewing materials under this rule shall make certain that the materials are returned to the proper custodian. (G) No reproductions or recordings may be made of any portion of such materials. (H) The contents of such information shall not be divulged to any person in any way, form, shape, or manner, and shall not be discussed with any person who has not received the information in an authorized manner. (I) When not being examined in the manner described herein, such information will be kept in secure safes or locked file cabinets in the committee offices. (J) These procedures only address access to information the committee or a subcommittee deems to be sensitive enough to require special treatment. (K) If a member of the House of Representatives believes that certain sensitive information should not be restricted as to dissemination or use, the member may petition the committee or subcommittee to so rule. With respect to information and materials provided to the committee by the executive branch, the classification of information and materials as determined by the executive branch shall prevail unless affirmatively changed by the committee or the subcommittee involved, after consultation with the appropriate executive agencies. (L) Other materials in the possession of the committee are to be handled in accordance with the normal practices and traditions of the committee. 16. OTHER PROCEDURES The Chairwoman of the full committee may establish such other procedures and take such actions as may be necessary to carry out the foregoing rules or to facilitate the effective operation of the committee. 17. AMENDMENTS TO COMMITTEE RULES The rules of the committee may be modified, amended or repealed by a majority of the members, at a meeting specifically called for such purpose, but only if written notice of the proposed change has been provided to each such member at least 3 days before the time of the meeting. 18. BUDGET AND TRAVEL (A) From the amount provided to the Committee in the primary expense resolution adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives for the 110th Congress, the Chairwoman, after consultation with the Ranking Minority Member, shall designate one-third of the budget under the direction of the Ranking Minority Member for the purposes of minority staff, travel expenses of minority staff and members, and minority office expenses. (B) The Chairwoman may authorize travel in connection with activities or subject matters under the general jurisdiction of the Committee. (C) The Ranking Minority Member may authorize travel for any minority member or minority committee staff member in connection with activities or subject matters under the general jurisdiction of the Committee. Before such travel, there shall be submitted to the Chairwoman in writing the following at least seven calendar days prior: (a) The purpose of the travel; (b) The dates during which the travel is to occur; (c) The names of the States or countries to be visited and the length of time spent in each; and (d) The names of members and staff of the committee participating in such travel. At the conclusion of such travel, a summary of the activity and its accomplishments shall be provided to the Chairwoman within ten calendar days. 19. COMMITTEE WEBSITE The Chairwoman shall maintain an official Committee website for the purpose of furthering the Committee's legislative and oversight responsibilities, including communicating information about the Committee's activities to Committee members and other Members of the House. The Ranking Minority Members may maintain a similar website for the same purpose, including communicating information about the activities of the minority to Committee members and other Members of the House. 20. VICE CHAIR Pursuant to House Rules, the Chairwoman shall designate a member of the majority party to serve as Vice Chairman of the Committee. The Vice Chairman shall preside at any meeting or hearing during the temporary absence of the Chairwoman. If the Chairwoman and Vice Chairman are not present at any meeting or hearing, the ranking member of the majority who is present shall preside at the meeting or hearing.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Yes.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I urge support of this amendment, and I yield back.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield to the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Clarke), a member of the committee and a cosponsor of the bill, for 2 minutes.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield to Mrs. Tubbs Jones from Ohio, the chairwoman of the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct, 2 minutes.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, the improvements made under H.R. 3867 are commonsense changes that would modernize and increase program accountability. Coupled with the sweeping reform the House passed earlier this year to our procurement system, this bill will have an immediate impact on every facet of the small business community, including women, minorities and service-disabled veterans. It is for these reasons H.R. 3867 has some of the most diverse support of any bill coming out of the committee this year, ranging from small business trade groups including NFIB, the International Franchise Association and the Associated General Contractors to minority advocates such as the Black, Hispanic and Women's Chambers of Commerce. It also has the support of veterans groups, including the American Legion, VFW and AMVETS, as well as Aerospace Industries Association and the National Defense Industrial Association. With the passage of H.R. 3867, we increase opportunities for entrepreneurs to become valuable suppliers to the Federal Government, recognizing their contribution to the economy. I just would like to take a moment to thank the staff that worked on this legislation: from the Small Business Committee majority staff, Adam Minehardt, LeAnn Delaney and Michael Day; from the minority staff, Barry Pinclis and Kevin Fitzpatrick; and Nate Webb from Ms. Fallin's staff. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 3867, Small Business Contracting Program Improvements Act.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, this amendment makes changes to the underlying bill to address outstanding issues in the bill. It ensures those veterans that are most severely disabled will have access to contracts. It also strengthens the business integrity standard and creates parameters to carry out the women's procurement program. Probably the most critical change in this amendment is the priority created for severely disabled veterans. The underlying bill already ensures that service-disabled veterans have greater access to contracts, but this takes it a step further. It provides that agencies who are carrying out the service-disabled veteran contracting program give special consideration to those returning entrepreneurs that have the most serious of injuries. It is simply the right thing to do for all these soldiers have given for their country. This amendment also provides taxpayers with greater protection by making certain the SBA performs criminal background checks prior to entering a program. It provides that those with criminal convictions are presumed to lack the business integrity required for participation. Finally, we worked with the minority to create a more workable standard for allowing the SBA to carry out the women's procurement program. This amendment specifies the industries that the Rand Corporation determined, in accordance with direction from the National Academies of Sciences, were underrepresented by women businesses. These measures will strengthen the bill to ensure a variety of deserving small businesses have better access to Federal contracts. I urge adoption of the amendment. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I would like to thank my colleague from Missouri, a member of the Small Business Committee, for offering this amendment. I share the gentleman's concern about the concentration of contracts in the 8(a) program. In fact, these businesses are only in the program for 9 years, so it is important that they make that time count. Unfortunately, according to partial year data for 2006, the top 10 companies received 40 percent of the work; 93 percent of companies received no contracts. The gentleman's amendment requires the SBA to conduct a study to determine how best to provide additional contracting help to these less successful 8(a) participants. I appreciate his interest in the 8(a) program and his willingness to work with us to find a solution to a long-standing program. I agree with my colleague that, while a more successful firm is apt to receive more work than a less experienced company, the purpose of the program is business development. Given this, the SBA needs to provide increased contractual assistance to the companies that need it the most. The gentleman's amendment would allow us additional time to work together to craft a solution to ensure that 8(a) businesses, regardless of their financial strength, will be able to earn contracts. I look forward to working with the gentleman to perfect this language, and I appreciate his cooperation. We are prepared to accept this amendment, and I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments he may have.