Nydia Velázquez

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for yielding. We are prepared to accept this amendment. Many times the proposed solution to a problem, particularly in the Federal procurement environment, is the assessment of penalties. Sometimes this works. Sometimes it doesn't. I have found that when it works best, it is also accompanied by incentives for good performance. The gentleman from Maryland begins this process. It is a worthy endeavor, and I am pleased to support the gentleman's amendment. I want to thank him for the work that he is doing on this legislation, and I urge adoption of the amendment.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I thank the gentlelady for yielding. We accept this amendment which will require the Administrator of SBA to make public the actions taken on behalf of small businesses or trade associations with regard to bundled contracts. More importantly, it will publicize the results of their actions. I look forward to working with my colleague on this amendment which will add transparency to the bundling appeals process. I, again, want to thank the gentlewoman from Texas for her work. I urge adoption of the amendment, and I yield to Ranking Member Chabot.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I want to thank the gentlelady for yielding. We are prepared to accept this amendment. The gentlelady's amendment provides a measure of enforcement. It requires agencies to send copies of letters in which they have disagreed with the SBA's attempts to maximize the usage of small businesses on bundled contracts to the relevant authorizing committee. The committees will soon become familiar with the extent to which agencies within their jurisdiction are bundling contracts and will have a better handle on the extent of this problem. I urge adoption of this amendment, and I yield to the ranking member, Mr. Chabot.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I move that the Committee do now rise.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk be authorized to make technical corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 1873, including corrections in spelling, punctuation, section numbering and cross-referencing, and the insertion of appropriate headings.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I rise today on the floor of the House of Representatives to honor the National Small Business Association (NSBA) as it celebrates its 70th anniversary. This first-rate organization currently reaches more than 150,000 small-business owners nationwide--a number that has well surpassed the original group of 160 members. It is with great pleasure that I recognize the commendable service NSBA has provided to this Nation's entrepreneurs over the past 70 years. As Chair of the Small Business Committee, I am well aware of the unique plight facing this Nation's entrepreneurs. As the oldest small business advocacy group in the United States, NSBA has a strong history of promoting small business growth and educating its members on the impact of Federal policies. The unwavering dedication that this group has shown to fostering the advancement and growth of entrepreneurs is deserving of recognition. From carpenters to grocers and designers, NSBA represents a broad range of citizens who believe in the free enterprise system. Since joining the Small Business Committee well over a decade ago, this organization has frequently been out front, leading the charge on a number of issues that are of the utmost importance to this Nation's 26 million small businesses. Whether it was advocating for increased access to capital or the Federal marketplace--NSBA has always acted as a steadfast advocate for our entrepreneurs. Thanks to the leadership of the NSBA--its founder, the late DeWitt M. Emery, Board Members, Executive Director, staff, and supporters--its members are given the opportunity to gather every two years during the ``Small Business Congress'' to learn about the latest happenings impacting their businesses and vote upon their top ten. NSBA subsequently publishes its priority issues booklet listing the results and advocating on the members' behalf. NSBA's contributions that bring to light the everyday matters that are of concern to the main drivers of this economy--small business--are truly commendable. Madam Speaker, I would like to express my sincerest congratulations to the National Small Business Association in commemoration of its 70th anniversary and express best wishes for a successful future.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and enter into the Record extraneous material on the bill under consideration and that the CBO cost estimates for H.R. 1873 as reported by the Small Business Committee be entered into the Record.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, we are prepared to accept the amendment.

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

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, this week is Small Business Week, a time to honor entrepreneurs for the contributions they make to this country. Small businesses create three out of every four new jobs. They are the economic backbone, and our largest job creators. However, it is not easy to be a small business owner. They struggle every day to provide health care for their employees, to comply with increasing regulatory burdens, and to access financing to keep their businesses up and running. This week, rather than just talk about supporting our Nation's 26 million small businesses, we have an opportunity to do something, provide them with the support they deserve, and ensure it is not a struggle to access much needed capital. H.R. 1332 will make loans more economical while providing long-term stability for small business owners. Ensuring loans are affordable and that relief from rising capital costs is available is critical for small firms to remain a driving force in today's economy. Let's put the money back into the hands of entrepreneurs where it belongs. I want to thank the ranking member, Mr. Chabot, for his work and his leadership in working with me on this legislation. I also want to thank the staff that worked on this bill; from the minority staff, Mike Smullen, Barry Pineles and Kevin Fitzpatrick; and from the majority staff, Michael Day, Adam Minehardt, Andy Jiminez and Tim Slattery, and Elizabeth Hart and Sam Hodas from Representative Bean's staff. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for the Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from Ohio (Mrs. Jones), a former member of the Small Business Committee.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Rush).

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Shuler), a member of the Small Business Committee.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Gonzalez), a member of the Small Business Committee.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, again I thank the gentlewoman for raising this important issue. I agree that this is an issue that we need to address, and I will make a commitment to work with you and your staff as this legislation heads to conference.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentlelady for yielding. I know that the gentlelady has worked tirelessly to ensure that certain independently owned and operated franchises are afforded access to the SBA's 7(a) loan program. You have my assurance that I will work to address this concern as the bill moves forward.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield such time as she may consume to the gentlewoman from Illinois (Ms. Bean), who is a member of the Small Business Committee and sponsor of the legislation. (Ms. BEAN asked and was given permission to revise and extend her remarks.)

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself as much time as I may consume. Small businesses are this country's economic drivers, yet they continually face challenges that make it hard for them to succeed in today's marketplace. Entrepreneurs are already dealing with rising energy and health care costs as well as the increasing regulatory burden. The last thing they need is for accessing affordable capital to be another barrier in the way of their success. What we continue to see is a steady increase in costs and a decrease in access for the very programs that are intended to help entrepreneurs. Over the past 2 years, for the 7(a) program alone, costs have doubled for smaller loans, and the average loan size has declined by 37 percent. A recent study released by the National Small Business Association found that access to capital is the number two concern for entrepreneurs. This means that it is more of a concern than taxes and even the regulatory burden. The Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007 is a bipartisan effort introduced by Ms. Bean and Mr. Chabot. This bill will make loans more economical, while providing long-term stability for small business owners. H.R. 1332 touches all aspects of the SBA lending initiative, including the 504 program. Not only will this legislation put affordable financing back into the hands of entrepreneurs, but will also accomplish a number of important public policy initiatives. H.R. 1332 provides incentives for medical professionals to locate in low income areas, establishes a rural lender program, and allows for veterans to secure funds to start or expand their firms. With the number of veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, the need for affordable financing is more important than ever. When Congress passed the GI bill, we made a commitment to education and homeownership for veterans. Today we have an opportunity to show our commitment to their entrepreneurial endeavors. Small businesses must have the ability to continue spurring economic growth and creating jobs. For these reasons, H.R. 1332 has the support of American Community Bankers, Independent Community Bankers of America, American Veterans, Credit Union National Association, National Small Business Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Bankers Association, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce, the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the American Dental Association. I strongly urge my colleagues to vote for the Small Business Lending Improvements Act of 2007. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to accept this amendment. I want to thank you for bringing this issue. I yield to the ranking member, Mr. Chabot, for any comment.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. In our hearings, Mr. Chairman, the committee heard testimony on the various challenges facing the 7(a) program. One of the more troubling developments has been a steady decline in the number of lenders participating in the 7(a) program, particularly among small lenders and community banks located in rural areas. With fewer lenders in the program, we all lose. The rural lender outreach program is intended to help remedy this problem. With simpler application standards and a streamlined lending process, the rural lender outreach program will facilitate participation in the 7(a) among small lenders in rural communities. I look forward to working with my colleague to ensure that this amendment will help the rural lender outreach program achieve its important objectives. I yield to the gentleman from Ohio for any comments that he might have.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I want to thank the gentleman for yielding. Mr. Chairman, I am prepared to accept the amendment, and I will yield to Mr. Chabot for any comments that he may have.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, it amazes me if the gentleman from Louisiana is so concerned about the state of small businesses in our country, why is it that every time that I brought an amendment to any bill to reduce the cost of the 7(a) business loan program, you voted against that bill, against those amendments? That is the way we provide relief to small businesses. The problem with the gentleman from Louisiana is that he doesn't believe that the minimum wage should be raised, and that 10 years is not long enough. So by supporting this motion to recommit, you are voting against providing relief to small businesses. What we are doing with this bill is reducing up to $50,000 in fees to borrowers in this country. That is real relief. So I urge my colleagues to vote against this motion, and to support the underlying bill. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days to revise and extend remarks and enter into the Record any extraneous material on the bill under consideration, H.R. 1332.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that the Clerk is authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross- references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 1332.

Ms. VELAZQUEZ

Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I demand a recorded vote.