Roger Williams

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5265) to amend the Small Business Act to require a report on the performance of the Office of Rural Affairs, to require a report on the memorandum of understanding between the Small Business Administration and the Department of Agriculture entered into on April 4, 2018, and for other purposes, as amended.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. 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 bill.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 5265, the Small Business Administration Rural Performance Report Act, sponsored by the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford). It should come as no surprise that rural entrepreneurs face unique challenges. In extending assistance to these entrepreneurs, the Department of Agriculture and the Small Business Administration offer a variety of programs to help them start and grow their businesses. Unfortunately, government agencies often act in a silo and become ineffective in their outreach. That is why the Trump administration created a partnership between the USDA and the SBA to better tailor their outreach and services to rural entrepreneurs. After our committee marked up this bill, we were happy to see the SBA announce that they are going to work to renew another agreement with the Department of Agriculture. While this progress should not go unnoticed, this bill goes further to require a report to track the effectiveness of this agreement and the SBA's Office of Rural Affairs. If we are going to be spending taxpayer dollars to help accomplish a goal, there must be performance metrics to see where the ROI is for the taxpayers and the businesses they are helping. Mr. Speaker, it is vital that Congress knows just how impactful these efforts are so we can ensure our rural entrepreneurs are not left behind. I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 5265, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation from Ranking Member Velazquez and Congressman LaLota. I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7102) to establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5426) to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to provide a link to resources for submitting reports on suspected fraud relating to certain COVID-19 loans.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. 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 bill.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation from Congressmen Ellzey and Thanedar, and I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ellzey).

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6591, the Encouraging Success Act, sponsored by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Ellzey), my good friend. The 8(a) program allows certain small businesses to compete for valuable contracting opportunities. However, SBA regulations threaten to remove the participating firms if the owner reaches certain financial thresholds. While these thresholds are necessary to ensure that only true small businesses are utilizing this program, it can force some small business owners to make a tough decision: proactively stop expanding their business so they can stay in the program or grow outside the limits set by the SBA and get kicked out of the program. I spoke with a female veteran in my district who was facing this exact issue. The bill doesn't solve all the issues in this program, but it requires the SBA to reassess the 8(a) asset threshold cap every 4 years, ensuring it is in line with market realities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote for H.R. 6591, the Encouraging Success Act, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, due to a personal family matter, I was unable to be in D.C. to vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted ``yea'' on rollcall No. 52.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Aledo Bearcats for their win over Smithson Valley Rangers with a score of 51-8 to become the UIL class 5A State football champions. The Aledo Bearcats finished the season with a record of 16 wins and zero losses. After a season of early mornings, long hours on the field, and staying focused in school, these young men showed dedication, strength, and an unwavering commitment to victory. I am proud that all their hard work and dedication throughout the year has paid off. As these bright and talented men and women prepare for their next endeavors, I wish them the best of luck and blessings for an even brighter and more victorious future. Go Bearcats. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to denounce President Biden's open border policies that have fueled the invasion--I repeat invasion--of our country through our southern border. I wonder how many of my liberal friends across the aisle have actually even been to the border. Let us be clear: This is a crisis of Biden's making. He has not been to the border nor has Vice President Harris been to the border. They have been to a parking lot in El Paso, Texas, and that is as good as they could do. For over 3 years now, Biden has ignored calls from the American people to secure our border and protect American lives. This administration's failed policies have allowed over 8 million illegal immigrants to cross into our country, forcing border States such as my home State of Texas to take matters into their own hands, only to be attacked by Biden's out-of-reach DOJ and be sued for protecting the lives of Texans. It is time President Biden and his administration are held accountable for the lack of action at our southern border. From my very first day, I have fought against the radical left's open border and pro-amnesty policies and the House Republicans have done their job with real solutions and passed H.R. 2 to fully fund and secure our border, but that too has been ignored by Senator Schumer and President Biden. This is not the border between New York and New Jersey. It is totally different. Some don't see it that way. Today, we take another stand. I urge my colleagues to support H. Res. 957 to denounce President Biden's open border policies. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. I thank the gentlewoman for yielding time. Madam Speaker, I rise today in opposition to the National Labor Relations Board joint employer rule that will be disastrous for small businesses across the country, and I also am a franchisee. The NLRB is attempting to adopt an overly broad new definition of a joint employer that will greatly increase the number of entities that are subject to costly new Department of Labor requirements. Last fall, the Committee on Small Business held a hearing to examine the disastrous impact of the regulation as well as many others coming out of the Department of Labor. We heard directly from job creators on how the new joint employer rule will prevent businesses from looking for growth opportunities because of the legal uncertainty caused by this rule. If we continue to punish the businesses who provide over half the workforce and half the payroll, our economy is going to suffer. In a time where inflation remains stubbornly high, businesses cannot find qualified workers to hire, and supply chains remain fragile, we should not be adding another confusing regulation to the list of their troubles. I am glad to see the CRA come to the floor today so we can provide regulatory relief to businesses already dealing with significant employee economic headwinds. I urge my colleagues to support H.J. Res. 98. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to stress the importance that Congress address section 174 of the Tax Cuts and Job Act and continue to allow immediate and full research and development expensing by American small businesses. Not allowing for full expensing would devastate small businesses across the country, resulting in layoffs, increased debt, and likely forcing thousands of businesses to close their doors for good. The looming January 15 deadline highlights the growing need for Congressional action to provide continued tax relief to millions of small businesses and hardworking Americans. As chairman of House Committee on Small Business and owner and operator of a small business in Texas for over 52 years, I am uniquely aware of the relief full expensing has provided to small businesses. In 2017, Republicans led the way on once-in-a-generation tax reform in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and provided much-needed relief to the American people. Amid historic inflation and increasing rates, we must continue to build on it. We can start by making the tax cuts permanent and ensure that pro-growth policies such as full R&D expensing are included. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, in full disclosure to everybody here, I am a car dealer, and I rise today in opposition to the rule submitted by the Federal Highway Administration that waives the Buy America requirements for electric vehicle chargers built in the U.S. This allows for federally funded electric charging stations to be built in the U.S. without the use of American steel, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials, ultimately sending billions of taxpayer dollars to China. The $7.5 billion investment builds on Biden's mission to force his inefficient, expensive, and unreliable green energy agenda onto the American people. Now, I can tell you exactly what a government charging station is going to look like. It is going to have graffiti on it after the first week; it is going to be broken, and it will never be fixed. That is what it is going to look like. Instead, we should allow competition, not government, to drive innovation. Let the private sector decide when and how much to invest in the charging infrastructure. When taxpayer dollars are spent, they should be used to invest in American businesses and quality manufacturing, not to line the pockets of the CCP. I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of the CRA and stop the Biden administration's America last, China first policies. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.J. Res. 88, which I am a cosponsor of. This Congressional Review Act would stop President Biden's radical SAVE Plan that alters the income-driven repayment program to redefine the vast majority of borrowers as financially distressed. It saves nothing. In fact, in my business, it is called false advertising, and costing the taxpayer an estimated $559 billion is effectively a loan cancellation program in disguise. Who is talking about the lenders? Who is talking about the people who loaned the money, the people of America? In June, President Biden's unconstitutional plan to cancel outstanding loan debt was struck down by the Supreme Court, which stated that the authority to cancel student loans lies with Congress and Congress only, not with President Biden. This latest plan by President Biden is yet another attempt to ignore the Supreme Court and sidestep Congress even after members of his own party have admitted the executive branch lacks the authority to do so. Yesterday, the President announced that his administration approved another $4.8 billion in student loan cancellation, bringing the current total to over $130 billion, basically sponsoring deadbeats. This is a slap in the face to the taxpayer, forcing the 87 percent of Americans who do not hold any Federal student loan debt and who have made sound financial decisions to foot the bill for those unwilling to pay off the debt they chose to rack up. What this administration refuses to admit to the American people is that this is not debt cancellation or debt forgiveness but a shift in responsibility from the borrowers to the pocketbooks of hardworking families. In Texas, where I come from, a deal is a deal. You pay your debt back, and a handshake still works. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.J. Res. 88 and put a stop to this administration's unlawful attack on the American taxpayer. In God We Trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 4468, and in full disclosure, I am a car dealer. I am, frankly, the expert in the room. This legislation would stop the EPA from implementing a rule that is an attack on hardworking Americans and, if implemented, would decimate small businesses and wreak havoc on the pocketbooks of families. As chairman of the House Committee on Small Business and owner and operator and expert in car dealerships in Texas for over 52 years, I have seen firsthand the impact that overregulation can have on small businesses. Competition drives my industry, not government innovations. By the way, no one wants to buy an EV vehicle. We are a country of competition, of risk and reward, and the Federal Government should not be in the car business. We must allow individuals to choose the vehicle that best suits their needs, not the government or Joe Biden. The EPA's proposed rule would have heightened impact on hardworking American families with an estimated increase in costs from maintenance to interest costs to lack of equity. It is clear President Biden's EPA are out of touch with the American people by ignoring out-of-control inflation while pushing a green energy bailout. The customer is getting hammered again and your local car dealer is getting hammered again. The proposed rule would also increase our dependency on China, something the administration seems determined to ensure happens. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to stand with the American people and Main Street America and vote for H.R. 4468.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 891, I call up the joint resolution (S.J. Res. 32) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to ``Small Business Lending Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B)'', and ask for its immediate consideration in the House.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from California (Mrs. Kim).

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. McHenry), the chairman of the Financial Services Committee.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous material on the bill under consideration.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of this joint resolution of disapproval. We must overturn the CFPB's small business lending rule to ensure small businesses across America, which are the backbone of our country, have continued access to affordable credit to support and grow our economy. Access to affordable credit is key to ensuring communities across America remain vibrant. Unfortunately, the CFPB's small business lending rule undermines the goal of affordable and available credit, which I think we all should share. Here is why. First, the CFPB's rule is overly broad. It will require lenders to collect massive amounts of data whenever a small business owner applies for credit. Most of the information is unnecessary to make a fair, equitable, safe, and sound loan. Requiring lenders to provide the information infringes on small business owners' rights to privacy about their personal and business information when applying for credit. Second, the CFPB's rule is burdensome. Community banks and credit unions across America account for the majority of small business lending. They are doing their part. Despite claims from my colleagues across the aisle, this rule does not go after big banks. It will have the biggest impact on the small community financial institutions already operating under the thinnest of margins because of runaway inflation and increased interest rates through the Federal Reserve--in general, the Biden economy. The rule also discourages banks and credit unions from expanding their lending portfolios. They might simply decide that the droves of new compliance officers they would have to hire to comply with this onerous rule would simply not be worth it, and Main Street is hammered again. The CFPB Director says he is trying to be sensitive to the needs of small community financial institutions, oftentimes advocating for relationship banking. However, in the rule, CFPB sets the transaction threshold at an incredibly low 100 loans in the preceding 2 calendar years. This means the smallest of banks, small businesses, and their owners will be the ones to bear the brunt of the unnecessary data collection, and Main Street is hammered again. Third, the rule will be difficult to implement. The rule itself is nearly 900 pages and requires lenders to report 81 data fields. Developing compliance systems to achieve this will be extremely costly for firms, which takes resources away from actually lending to small businesses, and Main Street is hammered again. The timeline for implementation is also insufficient for lenders to develop the necessary systems to comply with such a complex and burdensome regulation. Each hour a lender spends on the overly broad data collection demanded by the rule is an hour not devoted to ensuring credit is available and affordable for small businesses, and Main Street is hammered again. Finally, it is unclear what the Bureau intends to do with its exceedingly expansive data demands. What we do know is the CFPB plans to post the data publicly on the CFPB's website. This is concerning, given the Bureau's alarming record of facilitating the naming and shaming of companies whose business activities progressive activists want to attack, adding to the concerns of the CFPB's abysmal track record of protecting the highly sensitive data it already collects. In fact, back in February of this year, there was a major unauthorized data breach by a CFPB employee, which included personally identifiable information and confidential supervisory information. Therefore, why should we ever trust them to protect sensitive information of small business owners this time around? To sum it up, the rule is backward-looking, anti-small business, anti-capitalism, anti-competition, anti-free markets, and anti-risk and reward. It is critical that we pass this resolution to overturn this reckless CFPB rule to protect small business access to the credit needed to continue to innovate and grow our economy. A new idea while we are at it: Let's put people back to work again. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this resolution, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield 1 minute to the gentlewoman from the great State of Texas (Ms. De La Cruz). Ms. De LA CRUZ. Madam Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding. I rise today to express my strong support for S.J. Res. 32, a resolution disproving of the CFPB's overreaching and burdensome rule under section 1071 of the Dodd-Frank Act. This rule is nearly 900 pages long. It imposes onerous data collection requirements on small business lenders in places like south Texas. This regulatory overreach is not just impractical; it directly threatens the lifeline of America's economy--our great small businesses. Mom-and-pop shops are the backbone of our communities and need access to create, to grow, and to thrive. This rule, with its misaligned definitions and excessive demands, will only hinder their access to the necessary financial resources. By supporting this resolution, we stand for common sense, for small businesses, for community banks, for local families, and for a regulatory environment that fosters economic growth. I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting this resolution to safeguard the health of our Nation's economy.