Roger Williams

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 826) to require the Inspector General of the Small Business Administration to submit a quarterly report on fraud relating to certain COVID-19 loans, 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 strong support of my bill, H.R. 826, the COVID Fraud Transparency Act of 2026. Earlier this year, I introduced this bill alongside my good friends the gentleman from New York (Mr. Latimer), the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Bean), and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Mfume). During the COVID-19 pandemic, we moved quickly to provide relief to families, workers, and small businesses facing unprecedented hardship. When the government acts at that scale and speed, we also have the responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are spent as intended, especially for honest, hardworking Americans. Unfortunately, we fell short in addressing that challenge. The SBA Office of Inspector General estimates that roughly $200 billion in potentially fraudulent relief funds were disbursed through COVID-19 relief programs. Over 5 years after the pandemic began, the work of accountability is not finished. The American people deserve to know how the fraud occurred and what lessons can be learned to better protect public resources in the future. On March 16, President Trump announced the White House task force to eliminate fraud, to strengthen interagency coordination, and more to directly confront waste, fraud, and abuse. Since its formation, the task force has helped coordinate interagency efforts to identify improper payments, improve oversight, and advise in investigations into COVID-19-era-related fraud. That is what it means to be accountable to the American people. By improving reporting requirements and enhancing oversight, we can gain a clearer understanding of the schemes of these bad actors who exploited these relief programs. More importantly, we will be able to identify the weaknesses that made them possible. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 826, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 826 to require the SBA inspector general to provide regular reports on fraud involving COVID-19 relief loans and improve oversight and transparency of pandemic-era programs. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 826 because taxpayers deserve accountability, and Congress should have clear, ongoing information about efforts to combat COVID relief fraud. Mr. Speaker, 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. 915) to authorize small business loans to finance access to modern business software, 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 strong support of H.R. 915, the Small Business Technological Advancement Act, introduced by my friends the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Lee). Small businesses thrive when they stay ahead of the curve. H.R. 915 provides an important clarification and removes any ambiguity to ensure that small businesses can use SBA 7(a) loans to purchase and upgrade technological systems and business software, including those that utilize artificial intelligence, to support their daily operations. Technology is deeply ingrained in the day-to-day operations of small businesses. There are countless and valuable applications for technology in a small business, from tracking inventory to payment processing and from human resources to accounting. If an American small business wants to stay competitive in the global economy, it must stay on the cutting edge of technological development and application. With this clarification, small businesses will be able to continue exploring innovative technologies and tools for the future. This forward-thinking bill will ensure that the SBA 7(a) program will keep American entrepreneurs competitive with their international counterparts. Once again, I thank Representatives Alford and Lee for introducing this timely legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 915. 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 Missouri (Mr. Alford).

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 915 because access to technologies increases efficiency and productivity, and will help small businesses remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 4238) to improve accountability in the disaster loan program of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes, as amended.

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 myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 4238, the Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act introduced by Representative Moore from the great State of North Carolina. Disaster survivors should not have to wonder whether relief will arrive in time. Instead, they should be able to trust that the programs designed to help them recover are prepared to meet the moment. The SBA's disaster loan program serves as a critical lifeline for families, homeowners, and small businesses recovering from natural disasters. Communities hit by hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and other emergencies use these loans to rebuild their homes, restore their livelihoods, and get themselves back on their feet. That is why it was so concerning that during the 2024 hurricane season, the SBA disaster loan program exhausted its funding and was forced to pause new loan disbursements while communities were actively recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The disruption highlighted serious concerns about the program's budgeting, oversight, and communication processes. It is a sobering thought to know that at a time when thousands of vulnerable Americans were seeking assistance, the program was unable to provide the support they needed. Americans who have already survived a disaster should not face additional uncertainty because of preventable administrative failures. This legislation will ensure that the SBA disaster relief programs will be backed by strong oversight, transparent budgeting, and timely communication with Congress. I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 4238. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time to close. Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 4238 to strengthen oversight of the SBA disaster loan program. 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. 8879) to amend the Small Business Act to require a report on small business concern participation in a covered contracting programs, 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. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 8879, the Oversight and Transparency for Small Business Certifications Act of 2026, introduced by the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Olszewski) and the gentleman from Wisconsin (Mr. Wied). As the Trump administration continues its focus on government efficiency and eliminating fraud within Federal programs, Congress needs the information necessary to determine where these programs are succeeding and where they need improvement. SBA's small business contracting programs help connect eligible small businesses with Federal contracting opportunities. Programs such as the women-owned small business certification, the HUBZone program, and the service-disabled veteran-owned small business program help ensure that small businesses can compete for Federal contracts and grow their businesses. To effectively oversee these programs, Congress must have access to reliable data on how the certification process is performing. H.R. 8879 requires the SBA to submit annual reports to Congress on certification activities across the agency's small business contracting programs. The bill requires reporting on certifications granted and denied, application processing times, participation rates, recertification timelines, and the use of the SBA's certification platform. This information will provide greater transparency into program operations, strengthen congressional oversight, and help ensure that these programs continue to serve eligible small businesses efficiently and effectively. By improving accountability and providing Congress with better information, this legislation will help protect taxpayer resources while supporting small businesses seeking to compete in the Federal marketplace. Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 8879, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 8879 to increase transparency in Federal small business contracting programs by requiring SBA to report on participation in its certification programs so Congress can better evaluate their effectiveness. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8879 to ensure small business contracting programs are working as they are intended. 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. 8880) to require the Comptroller General to evaluate Federal cybersecurity assistance to small business concerns, 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 strong support of H.R. 8880, the Small Business Cybersecurity Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026, introduced by the gentlewoman from California (Ms. Simon) and the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Bresnahan), my friends. Small businesses are facing a growing wave of cybersecurity threats from ransomware attacks, phishing scams, and fraud schemes. Unfortunately, many small businesses lack the financial resources and technological expertise necessary to defend themselves against increasingly sophisticated crimes. Data indicates that small businesses are 210 percent more likely to experience a cyber incident than larger companies. At the same time, 51 percent of small businesses reported having no cybersecurity measures in place, leaving them particularly vulnerable to malicious cyber activity. As artificial intelligence becomes more and more prevalent, threat actors are increasingly using AI-generated content and impersonation schemes to target small business owners and their employees. These developments raise questions about the extent to which existing cybersecurity resources and Federal support adequately address the risks small businesses face. While the Federal Government currently offers a variety of cybersecurity programs, tools, resources, and even services to assist small business, it is often unclear whether businessowners are aware of the resources available, whether they are utilizing them, and whether gaps exist in current Federal efforts. H.R. 8880 takes a practical approach. This bill directs GAO to evaluate how Federal agencies help small businesses identify cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities, assess preparedness for small businesses to have a plan for and recover from cyberattacks, and access resources needed to strengthen their cybersecurity infrastructure. This legislation also directs the GAO to assess the awareness, coordination, accessibility, and effectiveness of existing Federal cybersecurity assistance programs and identify opportunities for improvement. By examining what works and what needs additional attention, Congress can better ensure that resources reach the small businesses it serves. As cyber threats continue to evolve, small businesses need access to effective tools, training, and resources to protect their operations, employees, and customers. This legislation will provide Congress with valuable information to strengthen cybersecurity assistance and help ensure Main Street businesses are better prepared for the challenges of the digital age. Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support H.R. 8880, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we must pass H.R. 8880 to help identify gaps, improve coordination, and ensure those resources effectively address cyber threats facing small businesses. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Bresnahan).

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 8880 to help strengthen cybersecurity, support small businesses, and ensure Federal resources are being used effectively to protect from growing cyber risks, and I yield back the balance of my time.