Congressional Record
Proceedings, Debates of the U.S. Congress

        

[Page H7090]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the 
bill (S. 3839) to provide for an additional temporary extension of 
programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment 
Act of 1958, and for other purposes.
  The Clerk read the title of the bill.
  The text of the bill is as follows:

                                S. 3839

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. ADDITIONAL TEMPORARY EXTENSION OF AUTHORIZATION OF 
                   PROGRAMS UNDER THE SMALL BUSINESS ACT AND THE 
                   SMALL BUSINESS INVESTMENT ACT OF 1958.

       (a) In General.--Section 1 of the Act entitled ``An Act to 
     extend temporarily certain authorities of the Small Business 
     Administration'', approved October 10, 2006 (Public Law 109-
     316; 120 Stat. 1742), as most recently amended by section 1 
     of Public Law 111-214 (124 Stat. 2346), is amended by 
     striking ``September 30, 2010'' each place it appears and 
     inserting ``January 31, 2011''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on September 29, 2010.

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from 
New York (Ms. Velazquez) and the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Cassidy) 
each will control 20 minutes.
  The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.


                             General Leave

  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members 
have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include 
extraneous material on the bill under consideration.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the 
gentlewoman from New York?
  There was no objection.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may 
consume.
  Mr. Speaker, the role of small businesses in moving the economy 
forward has never been more important. Making up over 99 percent of all 
U.S. firms, they are critical to innovation, wealth creation, and, most 
importantly, employment gains.
  As the economy continues to show signs of resurgence, we need to make 
certain that entrepreneurs have the right tools to make the most out of 
the recovery. The legislation before us extends the authorization of 
the several important Small Business Administration programs which are 
key to supporting entrepreneurs across the country. Through the 
agency's initiatives, entrepreneurs are able to get a loan, secure a 
federal contact, and receive expert technical assistance.
  The SBA is unique in that many of its programs work through resource 
partners. These partners, including training centers and community 
banks, are essential to the delivery of the agency's services to the 
small business community.

                              {time}  1900

  Through this public-private network, entrepreneurs are able to gain 
access to resources nationwide with the knowledge that the SBA stands 
behind these tools and services. This combination is a powerful one for 
small businesses, and it is the reason we need to extend the agency.
  In the House, we have passed 14 bills since the beginning of the 
111th Congress. However, because we have not completed work with the 
Senate on these matters, we must extend the SBA's programs. This 
legislation will make certain that the SBA keeps operating. We cannot 
afford any of these services to lapse just as our recovery is getting 
off the ground.
  I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I reserve the balance of my 
time.
  Mr. CASSIDY. I yield myself such time as I may consume.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of the chairwoman's request to 
suspend the rules and pass S. 3839. The legislation provides a 4-month 
extension of all of these Small Business Administration's programs 
until January 31, 2011. This is a necessary measure as the extension we 
passed last July expires September 30.
  America's small businesses are struggling in this tough economy. 
Employers are having a tough time accurately predicting costs and 
revenues, making them hesitant to hire new workers or to take steps to 
expand their businesses.
  It is time to show our small business owners that we recognize and 
support the essential roles that they play in our economy. We can do so 
by approving this temporary extension of SBA programs, and then we must 
continue our work by crafting and implementing a more thoughtful and 
complete reauthorization of these critical programs.
  Again, I support the chairwoman's request to pass S. 3839, and I urge 
all Members to vote for the measure.
  I yield back the balance of my time.
  Ms. VELAZQUEZ. I yield back the balance of my time.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the 
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that the House suspend the 
rules and pass the bill, S. 3839.
  The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the 
rules were suspended and the bill was passed.
  A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.

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