Roger Williams

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

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

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

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 804) to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to improve access to disaster assistance for individuals located in rural areas, and for other purposes.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, and 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. 754) to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to increase the amount that may be invested in small business investment companies.

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. 754, the Investing in Main Street Act of 2025, led by my colleagues, Representatives Chu, Finstad, McIver, and Garbarino. As chairman of the Small Business Committee, one of my top priorities is expanding access to capital for small businesses. The Small Business Investment Company, or the SBIC, program plays a crucial role in this effort by attracting private equity investments to help small businesses grow, create jobs, and strengthen our economy. SBIC has been an invaluable tool for investing in small businesses that build critical technologies and support American national security. H.R. 754 builds on this success by increasing the maximum allowable investments by SBICs from 5 percent to 15 percent of their excess capital. This change will allow more significant private equity dollars to go toward small businesses. As we continue working to improve programs that support small businesses, this change will immediately impact our Nation's job creators. I thank my colleague from California for introducing this bipartisan solution to expand successful programs that empower the private sector to invest in small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

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

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

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. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford).

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

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

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Gordon Longhorns for their win over the Whiteface Antelopes with a score of 70-24 to become the UIL Class 1A Division 1 State Football Champions. The Gordon Longhorns finished the season with a perfect record of 15 wins and 0 losses. After a season of early mornings, long hours on the field, and staying focused in school, these student athletes and trainers and coaches 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 some of these bright and talented individuals prepare for their next endeavors, I wish them the best of luck and blessings for an even brighter and more victorious future. Go Longhorns. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, due to the death of my beloved wife of 41 years, Patty Williams, I was unable to be in D.C. and vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 25 and YEA on Roll Call No. 27.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, due to the death of my beloved wife of 41 years, Patty Williams, I was unable to be in D.C. and vote today. Had I been present, I would have voted YEA on Roll Call No. 23.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the North Crowley Panthers for their decisive 50-21 win over Austin Westlake to become the UIL Class 6A Division 1 State champions. The Panthers finished the season with an impressive record of 15 wins and no losses, earning their first State championship victory since 2003. Throughout many early mornings, long hours on the field, and staying focused in school, these young men and women showed dedication, strength, and overwhelming commitment to victory. I am proud that their hard work has paid off. As some of 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, Panthers. In God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, due to a family health emergency, I was unable to be in D.C. and vote on December 19, 2024 and December 20, 2024.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the career and accomplishments of my lifelong friend, Kay Granger. We both shared Fort Worth as our hometown. Throughout the years, I have watched her lead in the classroom, on the city council as mayor, as a Congresswoman, and as chairwoman. She can make a deal, she can close a deal, and she has no problem making a decision and sticking with it. Her word is her bond, and to her, a handshake means something. She has truly lived a life worth being copied. To my friend and colleague, Kay, thank you for your friendship and thank you for your leadership. May God bless you, and in God we trust.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7198, the Prove It Act of 2024, introduced by Representative Finstad. In full disclosure, I am a small business owner. The Prove It Act is an important piece of legislation that will give small business owners the ability to petition the government when an agency fails to actively account for regulations impacting their operations. Over the past 4 years, the Biden administration has created an unbelievable amount of $1.7 trillion in new regulations. The Committee on Small Business, which I chair, conducted a thorough investigation into how it was possible to achieve this unfortunate milestone. We discovered that many agencies are treating the Regulatory Flexibility Act, a law that is supposed to protect small businesses from the most costly regulations, like a check-the-box exercise. They do not uphold the spirit of the law, which is an important check on the administrative state. The Prove It Act would close many of the loopholes being utilized by Federal agencies and give small businesses the ability for their choice and their voice to be heard when the system fails them. Main Street America has been dealing with many different economic headwinds. Inflation and labor shortages alone have made it a challenge for small business to survive. Out-of-control regulations are just one more obstacle that businessowners must work to overcome. My committee held over 13 hearings where we brought in real small business owners to discuss the impact regulations had on their operations. Every one of our witnesses said that taking time to understand and comply with the new mandates prevents them from focusing on their core operations: giving service and selling product. These small businesses are the economic engines of the country, and we must do all we can to support their continued success. The Prove It Act takes important steps in ensuring that agencies comply with the intent of the RFA and fully consider small businesses in the rulemaking process. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7198.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to welcome my dear friend, Pastor Clark Bosher, to our Nation's Capitol for the distinct honor of opening the House floor in prayer. For nearly two decades, Pastor Bosher has led Willow Park Baptist Church in the great State of Texas, where my family and I have been blessed to know him. Under his leadership, our church has flourished, and countless lives have been transformed. His ability to deliver the Word of God across all walks of life leaves a lasting impact on so many. It is an honor to have Pastor Bosher here with us today. My prayer is that he inspires us all in his prayer, through his words, as we work for the American people. In God we trust.