▶ 0:00:31put down your own clickers voter things.
▶ 0:00:34Do you all put down your own voting
▶ 0:00:37Um the clickers usually go on and I'll pass them out.
▶ 0:00:43Oh, I think they're over there.
▶ 0:00:44Okay. Okay.
▶ 0:00:48Thank you for checking
▶ 0:24:31and a short prayer. Please rise.
▶ 0:25:25The committee will now come to order. Uh without objection, the chair is authorized to declare a recess of the committee at any time. As required by House rules, a copy of the legislative measures have been made available to members and the public at least 24 hours in advance. Without objection, the committee will vote electronically in accordance with committee rules and regulations developed by the House Committee on Rules and Administration. I now recognize myself for opening remarks. Uh good afternoon and welcome to everyone.
▶ 0:25:54Uh today we will mark up uh the important bills that support all businesses and reflect a consistent message that Main Street deserves a government that is transparent, accountable, and invested in its success. As chairman, I'm proud of the work uh this committee is doing to ensure that small businesses remain a key engine of the American economy, driving growth and opportunity to communities across the country.
▶ 0:26:16Together with the ranking member, my friend, we have continued to work on legislation that reflects our commitment to rooting out fraud, strengthening oversight of the SBA programs, and ensuring that small businesses have the tools and the resources they need to thrive. Several of the bills we will consider today address accountability and transparency within the SBA.
▶ 0:26:36Among them are bills that would impose stronger uh reporting and budgeting requirements on the uh SBA's disaster loan program, strengthen reporting requirements on COVID loan fraud, and ensure the SBA certification programs are delivering for small businesses they were designed to serve.
▶ 0:26:54We also uh will consider legislation that ensures small businesses can fairly compete for federal contracts by codifying the rule of two as well as legislation that examines impacts of federal antirust agencies enforcement decisions on the small business community too.
▶ 0:27:10Rounding out today's markup are are bills that modernize the SBA's lending practices by clarifying the flagship 7A loan program covers technology and software investments, increasing oversight of the SBA's uh use of artificial intelligence, and examining the effectiveness of federal cyber resources for small businesses. As we continue to grow in a digital economy, we cannot let success to capital or access to capital impair main street America.
▶ 0:27:36And finally, we will consider a bill to enhance awareness of healthc care coverage options uh through the SBA's existing outreach program. Small businesses employ nearly half the American workforce and drive innovation uh coast to coast and all states in between. They deserve a federal government that works as hard as they do, and the committee has a responsibility to deliver on that.
▶ 0:27:58The legislation before us today is directed as direct reflection of that commitment and I'm proud of the bipartisan effort that has brought us today's to today's markup and I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance meaningful legislation that empowers small businesses and strengthens the communities they serve. With that, I yield to my friend and the distinguished ranking member from New York, Miss
▶ 0:28:22Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for convening this markup today. Let me begin by thanking you for adding HR 2804, the Protecting Small Business Competition Act to the agenda today. The rule of two is critical to preserving competition and allowing small business contractors to successfully enter, compete, and remain in the industrial base.
▶ 0:28:48HR2804 is a priority for me and I look forward to working with you to get it enacted into law before the end of the session. I plan to lend my support to all but one bill under consideration today.
▶ 0:29:03Five of the bills under consideration will arm our committee with more information to oversee the SBA and ensure program I applaud members for working together on these bills which will increase reporting, improve accountability, and ensure policy makers have information to see how the agency is operating and serving entrepreneurs.
▶ 0:29:31On one hand, we have these bipartisan bills calling studies and reports, but on the other, we are doing very little to address the real concerns of small businesses. President Trump's failed economic agenda is leaving small businesses with mounting anxiety, uncertainty, and economic pain. They're struggling with tariffs, higher borrowing costs, and surging food and gas prices.
▶ 0:29:59I want to make it clear that Democrats on this committee stand ready to conduct oversight of the SBA and work together to address the needs of small employers, entrepreneurs, and the communities they support. That is where our focus needs to be, delivering real results for small businesses. Thank you again, Mr. Williams. I yield back. Gentle lady yields back. Does any other member seek recognition for the purpose of making an opening statement.
▶ 0:30:30All right, seeing none, we will move to the consideration of the first bill. All right. All right. The committee now moves to consideration of HR 4238, the Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act, introduced by Representative Tim Moore from the great state of North Carolina with Representative Goodlander as the committee uh co-lead. The clerk will report the bill.
▶ 0:30:58Hr 4238.
▶ 0:31:00Without objection, HR 4238 is considered as read and open for amendment. I have an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk. The amendment has been distributed in advance. The clerk uh will report the amendment
▶ 0:31:14amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR423.
▶ 0:31:18Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read and will serve as the base text for the purpose of further amendment. Uh I now recognize myself for remarks as the as on the bill and the amendment. I'd first like to thank our colleague, Mr. Moore from the great state of North Carolina for introducing this bill. During the 2024 hurricane season, the SBA disaster loan relief program under the Biden administration exhausted its funding entirely for the first time uh since the program's inception.
▶ 0:31:48This has forced a pause on new loan dis dispersements while thousands of Americans were actively recovering from hurricanes Milton and Helen. survivors across impacted communities were left waiting for help. Not because help was unavailable, but because that Biden's SBA failed to properly and timely notify Congress of a funding shortfall. Uh, and that's unacceptable. I think we all agree, and it cannot happen again.
▶ 0:32:12So HR4238, the Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act, responds directly to that catastrophe, uh by strengthening oversight and transparency, improving budgeting requirements, and building greater accountability uh into the disaster lending process. This bill ensures the program can keep pace with the scale of modern disasters we see. It reflects our commitment to helping families, homeowners, and small businesses recover and rebuild.
▶ 0:32:39And it also gives Americans the confidence that when a disaster strikes their community, relief will be there. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR 4238 as amended, and I'd yield back. I now recognize Representative Goodlander from the great state of New Hampshire to speak on the bill and the
▶ 0:32:59Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Ranking member of Velasquez, thank you for your leadership. I'm very proud to be leading our bipartisan disaster loan accountability reform act alongside two great colleagues from the state of North Carolina, Tim Moore and Don Davis. Congressman Davis represents communities in eastern North Carolina that were among the hardest hit by Hurricane Helen.
▶ 0:33:23We saw in that moment what it looks like when our government falls short of our people when they need us most. And our bipartisan bill is an answer to those preventable failures. So here's what happened in 2024. Disaster struck. Hurricane after hurricane made landfall across the United States. Communities were devastated. Families lost their homes. Small businesses, they watched their livelihoods wash away.
▶ 0:33:51And it was this was precisely the moment that the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program was made for. lowinterest loans to help businesses reopen, to help home owners rebuild, to give the American people a fighting chance. But on October 15th, 2024, right in the midst of this crisis, the SBA announced that its disaster loan account was empty, exhausted, gone. It couldn't approve new loans.
▶ 0:34:21It couldn't disperse money to people who were waiting. That lasted for more than two months while Congress scrambled to act. two months for families sleeping in FEMA trailers for small businesses who had just enough hope left to fill out an application and wait. Now, here's the part I think for all of us who believe in accountability and in this committee I know we do. This lapse was not inevitable. It was not caused by some unprecedented force of nature or disaster beyond imagination.
▶ 0:34:52It was caused by preventable failures. I think the lesson of 2024 is simple. Disaster response cannot be opaque and reactive. It must be transparent and The SBA didn't meet its requirements. And by the time the authorizing committees found out that there was a problem, there was no time left to act. You know, in New Hampshire, we are not strangers to disasters.
▶ 0:35:18severe flooding, ice storms that shut down roads and destroy infrastructure. Our farmers up in our upper valley, our producers up in our north country, our growers in the Manadnok region, they face weather events that can wipe out literally generations of work. When disaster strikes, SBA's disaster loans are often genuinely the first and only lifeline available.
▶ 0:35:47It's the difference between rebuilding and closing for good. So, our bipartisan bill will make sure that America's small businesses, our family farmers never have to face a moment where they're told, "We're sorry. We ran out of money and nobody told Congress in time to fix it." So, here's what our bill does. It requires the SBA to report monthly on the status of the disaster loan account. Not when disaster has been declared, but continuously.
▶ 0:36:15so that here in Congress, we always have current information. It requires the SBA to alert us here in Congress within 24 hours when the account falls below 10% of the 10-year average. And it requires separate budget line items so that we can see exactly what's being requested and and why. It also directs the Government Accountability Office to conduct two what I think are important studies that will examine administrative changes that were made to the disaster loan program in 2023 and 2024.
▶ 0:36:45Changes that may have contributed to the faster thanex expected depletion of the account. We've got to understand what happened. We need the data. We need the accountability. And there's one more provision I want to highlight in this bill. Until the SBA administrator submits the required monthly report to Congress, the administrator cannot engage in official travel. So this may sound like a small thing, but I think it's a meaningful accountability mechanism to be sure that we've got the information we need.
▶ 0:37:12This at the end of the day, reporting what we learned in 2024, this is not a bureaucratic box checking exercise. It is a basic obligation of an executive branch agency to be accountable to the legislative branch and the people we represent. So, I'm very proud to be leading this bipartisan bill.
▶ 0:37:31I'm really grateful for the work of all of our colleagues uh to make sure that when Americans need help in the midst and after a disaster, we are ready with funds in the account and with Congress fully informed. So, I urge my colleagues to support the amendment in the nature of a substitute and the underlying bill. And with that, I yield
▶ 0:37:51Gentle lady yields back. Uh, are there any other members who wish to be recognized for a statement on this bill?
▶ 0:38:01I now recognize the ranking member uh to speak on the bill and the amendment.
▶ 0:38:07Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I support HR the Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act, as amended, the SBA Disaster Loan Program, which provides long-term low interest direct loans to homeowners, renters, small business owners, and nonprofits after declared disasters plays a critical role in the federal government's dis uh direct disaster respond efforts.
▶ 0:38:36The SBA failed to properly alert Congress of its impending budget shortfall, which led to a lapse in program funding and a prolonged delay in much needed relief to affected communities. While the SBA cannot effectively address our changing climate, it can do a better job at updating Congress about the status of the disaster loan account.
▶ 0:39:03That is why I support HR 4238, the Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act or Delara. This bill requires common sense reporting from the SBA and transparency from the White House when they submit their annual budget request.
▶ 0:39:20It also requires the administrator to notify Congress when program funds run when funds run low and directs the GAO to study how past rulemaking has affected the speed of that process. This bill adds transparency to the process to ensure disaster affected communities never have to face a lapse again.
▶ 0:39:45I thank all the sponsor including Miss Good uh Goodlander, Miss Kinghines and uh Muer and for their work. This is a very important uh legislation. I I know because I live through Sandi in New York and uh Maria when it stroke Puerto Rico.
▶ 0:40:10This is a very important uh disaster program and is one of the most important programs. You know, there's nothing more important that when natural disaster strike to immediately uh uh work to make families whole that are suffering and even so many lost their lives. So, thank you for the work uh that you've done in a bipartisan way.
▶ 0:40:37Gentle lady is back. Does anyone wish to offer an amendment? All right. Seeing none, the question now occurs on the adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR All in favor say I.
▶ 0:40:55All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 4238 is adopted. The question now comes on ordering HR 4238 is amended to be reported favorably to the house. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no. Being the chair of the eyes have it. HR 4238 is agreed to.
▶ 0:41:20Mr. Chairman, a request for a recorded
▶ 0:41:24A member has asked for a recorded vote and it has been requested and a roll call vote is ordered. persuade to committee rule 13 and house rule 11. Further proceedings on the bill are The committee now moves to the consideration of HR8897, the Oversight and Transparency for Small Business Certifications Act of 2026, introduced by Representatives Oelski and Weed. The clerk shall report the bill.
▶ 0:41:53HR 8879, a bill to amend the
▶ 0:41:56objection. HR8 HR8879 is considered as read and open for amendment. I now recognize Representative Oshelski from the great state of Maryland for a statement on the bill. Thank you uh very much, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Velasquez, and to all of my colleagues here today. I want to begin by thanking Representative Weed for his partnership and his leadership on this important effort.
▶ 0:42:20I'm proud to help lead this bipartisan bill because I believe that we can and we should always work harder to ensure that federal programs work efficiently for the American people. Congress created the three small business contracting programs this bill impacts. The womenowned small business program, historically underutilized business zone program, and the service disabled veteranowned small business program.
▶ 0:42:45These programs help our government recruit and retain quality small businesses while also leveling the playing field for them to enter, compete, and to have success in the federal market. In the past years, each program has had its own online certification platform and designated staff within the SBA's Office of Government Contracting and Business Development. As a result, small businesses had far different certification experiences.
▶ 0:43:12For example, in 2023, service disabled veterans seeking an SBA certification were served by 20 dedicated SBA staff and 54 contractors who processed their applications in about 3 weeks. The woman-owned small business program applicants, however, were served by eight SBA staff and two contractors, resulting in a backlog of roughly 7,000 applicants with an average wait time of almost a year.
▶ 0:43:39Ensuring fairness and promoting efficiency for all small business owners is an overarching goal of all members of this committee. Our bill will require the SBA to provide greater detail in their budget justification documents regarding their certification processes, infrastructure, and timelines as well as participants backlogs and wait times for small business applicants.
▶ 0:44:01that will allow this committee to more effectively conduct oversight and to identify issues with the certification process and SBA portals in a more timely manner for American small business owners across this country. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and I yield
▶ 0:44:19Gentleman yields back. Uh I now recognize Representative Weed from the great state of Wisconsin for a statement on the bill.
▶ 0:44:25Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Our bipartisan legislation HR8879, the Oversight and Transparency for Small Business Certifications Act, will require the SBA to report on the certifications and contract awards for its small business programs. SBA programs, including the service disabled veteranowned small businesses programs are important to ensure all entrepreneurs are given a chance to succeed.
▶ 0:44:49By improving the transparency of programs like these, Congress can ensure that the appropriate measures are taken to certify or descertify firms to help root out waste, fraud, and abuse. I am proud to co-lead this bill alongside my friend and colleague, Representative Ochki, and I encourage my colleagues to support this common sense, bipartisan
▶ 0:45:13Gentleman yields back. Uh, are there any other members who wish to be recognized for a statement on the bill? All right, seeing none, I'd like to recognize the ranking member to speak on the bill.
▶ 0:45:26Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I appreciate the work of my colleagues, Representative Oski, and we to move this bill forward. Our committee's ability to assist small businesses depends in part on our ability to conduct appropriate and effective oversight of SBA.
▶ 0:45:47Unfortunately, we do not always receive sufficient or timely responses to inquiries and what should be routine reporting is often delayed sometimes past the point of relevancy.
▶ 0:46:01For example, under the previous administration, both Chairman Williams and I raised concerns about whether the committee had a full picture of the unified certification platforms challenges and I frequently heard from womenowned businesses about the backlog of WASBY applications. Currently, SBA is not for coming with any information.
▶ 0:46:27They do not respond to specific requests nor provide regular reports and data they have been routinely provided in the past. This bill will ensure we have consistent information on one of the SBA's core missions. Certifying small business federal contractors. Current and aspiring government contractors already face challenges in the federal market. unnecessary time or added hurdles.
▶ 0:46:57Just do not get a certification before they can even compete for contracting opportunities should not be one of them. I urge my colleagues to vote yes and I yield back my time.
▶ 0:47:10Gentle lady yields back. Thank you. I now recognize myself to speak in support of this legislation. As the Trump administration continues to focus on government efficiency and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse within the federal programs, Congress needs the necessary information about where these programs are succeeding and where they need improvement.
▶ 0:47:32HR8879, the Oversight and Transportation or Transparency for Small Business Certifications Act of 2026, requires the SBA to annually report to Congress on certification activities across the SBA's small business contracting programs. This bill would provide uh Congress with detailed information and certification granted or denied, application, processing times, and overall program participation. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR 8879 and I yield back.
▶ 0:48:02Now does anyone wish to offer an amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on ordering HR8879 reported favorably to the house. All those in favor say I. I.
▶ 0:48:16All those opposed say no.
▶ 0:48:19The chair the eyes have it. HR8879 is a chairman asked for a recorded vote. Recorded vote has been requested. A roll call vote is ordered. Persuade to committee rule 13 and house rule 11. Further proceedings on this bill are The committee now moves to consideration of HR 826, the COVID fraud transparency act of 2025, introduced by representative Latimer and rep.
▶ 0:48:48Uh, Representative Bean, Representative Mafumi, and myself, and the clerk will report the bill.
▶ 0:48:55HR 826, a bill to record.
▶ 0:48:57Without objection, the HR 8 26 is considered as read and open for amendment. I have an amendment uh in the nature of a substitute at the desk. The amendment has been distributed in advance. Uh, the clerk will report the
▶ 0:49:11Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR.
▶ 0:49:13Objection. The amendment will be considered as read and will serve as base text for the purpose of further I now recognize myself for remarks on the bill and the amendment. First, I'd like to thank Representatives Latimer, Bean, and Mafumi for introducing this bill with me last year. The SBOIG estimates that uh roughly $200 billion dollars in potentially fraudulent relief funds uh were discharged through CO 19 relief programs.
▶ 0:49:42Early this year, the SBA under the Trump administration referred more than 562,000 suspected fraudulent loans totaling approximately $22 billion to Treasury for further action. And that is a disturbing amount to anyone. Even the five years following the pandemic, we are still working uh to highlight the need for continued transparency and oversight of fraud investigations and recovery efforts.
▶ 0:50:06HRE26, the COVID fraud transparency act of 2025, recognizes the importance of remaining uh and responsive and informed as those cases continue to be investigated and resolved. By implementing more comprehensive reporting and oversight requirements, Congress can better understand the methods and categories of fraud that occurred during the pandemic. Therefore, stren therefore strengthening safeguards to protect taxpayer dollars in future emergency relief programs.
▶ 0:50:36I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR826. I yield back. I now recognize Mr. Latimer from the great state of New York to speak on the bill.
▶ 0:50:46Thank you, Mr. chairman and I want to express my appreciation for your leadership uh on this bill along with colleagues uh Congress members Bean and and Fumi. This bill is bipartisan effort to deal with the dispersement of SBA loan products and which we saw during the co 19 pandemic total $1.2 trillion in economic injury disaster loan and paycheck protection program.
▶ 0:51:11Those are significant amounts of dollars that affected small businesses that were adversely impacted by the crisis. But as always, when there's any federal program, there are bad actors. And so the SBA Inspector General in coordination with other federal agencies has to work and to investigate those cases of fraud and hold those bad actors accountable. This Congress provides uh in this bill Inspector Generals with the funding and the resources necessary to combat fraud. and I'm very proud to co-lead this with Chairman Williams and his leadership.
▶ 0:51:41This bill requires the SBA Inspector General to issue quarterly reports to Congress on the number of borrowers engaged and that will help us detect the fraud factors. I encourage my colleagues to support this common sense bipartisan bill and once again thank the chairman and our ranking member Nidi Velasquez for their leadership in this moment. Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 0:52:01Gentleman yields back. Are there any other members who wish to be recognized uh for a statement? All right. Seeing none, I'd like to recognize the ranking member to speak on the bill.
▶ 0:52:14Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 0:52:17I appreciate your efforts alongside Mr. Limer to enhance reporting on pandemic fraud. The co fraud transparency act will further enable this committee to carry out its oversight responsibilities effectively during the global coid9 pandemic. The Small Business Administration stepped in and served as critical lifeline to small businesses.
▶ 0:52:43The SBA distributed more than $1.2 trillion dollars in economic aid and executed 14 years of lending in 14 days. In an effort to disperse funds quickly, SBA weakened and remove its internal controls. Organized crime syndicates transnational gangs and other criminals exploitated this weakened controls and stole billions from the American people.
▶ 0:53:13The legislation we are considering today will provide the committee with better data. HR 826 will require the SBA inspector general to send periodic reports to this committee for the next two years with detailed information regarding the number of fraud cases and the types of fraud as well as the number of cases that has been resolved.
▶ 0:53:38In closing, I want to underscore the importance of continue oversight and transparency as we work to safeguard taxpayer resources and strengthen accountability. The single most effective way to combat fraud is to provide full funding for the inspector and so that he has the infrastructure he needs in order to conduct the type of oversight that is important and necessary.
▶ 0:54:07We don't know when the next um pandemic will strike. We have to be ready and we need to learn the lessons of the past. I urge my colleagues to support HR 826 as amended and I yield
▶ 0:54:21Gentle lady yields back and thank you. And does anyone wish to offer an Seeing none, the question now occurs on the adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR826. All those in favor say I.
▶ 0:54:39All those opposed say no. In the pain of the chair, the eyes have it. Uh the amendment in the nature of the of a substitute to HR826 is adopted. The question now occurs on ordering HR826 as amendment to be reorted favorably to the house. All those in favor say I. All those posted say no. Depend the chair. The eyes have it. and HR 826 is amended is agreed to.
▶ 0:55:06Mr. Chairman, I ask for a recorded vote.
▶ 0:55:08Member asked for a recorded vote and a recorded vote has been requested. Uh a roll call vote is ordered. So persuant to committee rule 13 and rule 11. Further proceedings on this bill are The committee now moves to consideration of HR 8880, the Small Business Cyber Security Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026, introduced by Representative Simon uh and Breznahan. The clerk will report the
▶ 0:55:39HR 8880, a bill to require
▶ 0:55:42Without objection, HR 8880 is considered as read and open for amendment. I now recognize the fastm moving Miss Simon from the great state of California to speak on this legislation.
▶ 0:55:57Um well, thank you, chair. I cannot believe I made it. [laughter] Uh thank you, uh also our ranking member of Velasquez. Um and and thank you to uh Congressman, my colleague Breznahan, uh for co-leading with me in this extremely important, I would say, critical bipartisan effort. I'm proud to speak in support of the Small Business Cyber Security Assistance Act. You know, we know that small businesses are relying more and more on digital tools to reach customers and access capital.
▶ 0:56:28In fact, the United States Chamber of Commerce estimates that 99% of small businesses use at least one technology platform. And at the same time, cyber threats are becoming more sophisticated and damaging, especially for the smallest businesses that are most likely to not be able to recover from these attacks.
▶ 0:56:51From fishing to ransomware, these attacks to insurance fraud and data breaches, small businesses are increasingly being targeted by bad and criminal actors. For a small business owner, a single attack can mean not just lost revenue, but interrupted operations or even closure. We've seen this. Our bill is simple.
▶ 0:57:16It would direct the Government Accountability Office to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the cyber security threats and vulnerabilities facing our small businesses. The GAO would also identify existing federal programs, initiatives, and capital resources available to help entrepreneurs prepare for and mitigate and def defend themselves every single day against these attacks.
▶ 0:57:42Now, this bill is about ensuring that we have the best data available to craft effective policies that protect small businesses from these attacks. Small businesses drive innovation. They create jobs. I'm speaking to the choir here and support communities in every corner of this country.
▶ 0:58:01Especially as artificial intelligence continues to evolve, we must make sure that small businesses are not left behind, that they are not vulnerable, that they are equipped and ready to defend themselves. And I want to thank Chairman Williams and ranking member of Velasquez uh for including this bill in today's markup and for their continued leadership on behalf of our country's small businesses. And I want to thank you and I urge all of my colleagues to support our important legislation.
▶ 0:58:31And I yield back, sir.
▶ 0:58:34gentle lady yields back. I now recognize Mr. Breahan from the great state of Pennsylvania to speak on this
▶ 0:58:42Thank you, Mr. chairman and thank you to the ranking member. I rise today alongside Representative Simon in support of the Small Business Cyber Security Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation directs the GAO to study the effectiveness of existing federal cyber security assistance resources available to small businesses and identify where improvements are needed.
▶ 0:59:06In the United States, small businesses are 210% more likely to experience cyber incidents compared to larger companies, a challenge Congress can no longer afford to overlook. By evaluating gaps in current federal programs, this bill will help ensure small businesses have better access to the tools, training, and resources they need to defend themselves against cyber attacks. As cyber threats continue to evolve, our support system for small businesses must evolve as well. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this legislation. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I yield back.
▶ 0:59:36Gentleman yields back. Are there any other members who wish to be recognized for a statement?
▶ 0:59:42Seeing none, I'd like to recognize the ranking member to speak on the bill.
▶ 0:59:46Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I thank uh Representative Simon and Breahan for their leadership on this important issue. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, 99% of small businesses use at least one technology platform with most using at least four. Yet only a quarter of small businesses use cyber security and malware detection tools.
▶ 1:00:11That is because small businesses lack the time, skills, and resources to adopt effective cyber security measures compared to their larger competitors. Cyber criminals are well aware of these vulnerabilities and exploit them at at main streets expense. A single cyber attack could pose an existential threat to a small business.
▶ 1:00:36The federal government has multiple cyber security resources for small businesses, but they are spread across agencies rather than provided by the expert in small business outreach, the SBA. The Small Business Cyber Security Assistant Evaluation Act will direct the GAO's to study and report to Congress the state of federal small business cyber security assistance and make recommendations to optimize their impact and use by ma and use by main
▶ 1:01:06street entrepreneurs. I urge all colleagues to vote yes. With that, I yield back.
▶ 1:01:13Gentle lady yields back. Uh thank you. And I now recognize myself to speak in support of this legislation. Small businesses are increasingly vulnerable to cyber security threats that negatively affect the business operations, profit margins, and reputation. From ransomware to fraud, bad actors have been targeted main street. And yet many businesses lack the resources necessary to defend themselves. Many federal agencies have cyber security assistance programs, tools, and resources for small businesses.
▶ 1:01:43But these efforts are often difficult to navigate, underutilized or outdated usually and that is what HR8880 aims to address. This bill will help ex expose where uh cyber security assistance is lacking. HR8880, the Small Business Cyber Security Assistance Evaluation Act of 2026 directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the cyber attacks uh threatening small businesses and the effectiveness of federal programs in preventing them.
▶ 1:02:11Now, this bill would also require the GA to eval GAO to evaluate the effectiveness, coordination, and awareness of existing federal cyber security assistance programs for small businesses. Uh the legislation takes a practical approach by eval evaluating what works and what does not, ensuring the small businesses have the tools and information needed to protect themselves. So, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR8880, and I yield back.
▶ 1:02:41Does anyone wish to offer an amendment? Seeing none, the question now occurs on ordering HR8880 reported failure to the house. All in favor say I.
▶ 1:02:52All oppose say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and HR888080808080808080808080 is
▶ 1:02:57Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:02:59Yes, sir. What purpose do you seek?
▶ 1:03:01Uh ask for a recorded vote.
▶ 1:03:03Members ask for a recorded vote and recorded vote has been requested. A roll call vote is ordered and persuant to committee rule 13 and house rule 11. Further proceedings on this bill are Uh the committee now moves to consideration of HR 8881, the SBA AI utilization act of 2026 introduced by representatives Finstead and Latimer. The clerk will report the bill.
▶ 1:03:28HR 8881, a bill to amend.
▶ 1:03:30Without objection, HR881 is considered as read and open for amendment. I now recognize Mr. Finstead from the great state of Minnesota uh to speak on this
▶ 1:03:41Thank you, Chairman Williams. I'm happy to speak today in support of my bill, the SBA artificial intelligent intelligence utilization act. Uh I also serve on the egg committee and AI on the egg committee means something very different. So, I'm going to make sure I have my talking points uh right here for the SBA. The artificial intelligence and machine learning continue to revolutionize the way businesses conduct themselves. And it's important that the federal government, including the Small Business Administration, look into the benefits that can be gained from incorporating these technologies.
▶ 1:04:11There is an opportunity here. AI could be a useful tool for the SBA to improve its information processing capabilities, ease its administration, and better assist the entrepreneurs and small businesses of America. However, like any new technology, it raises questions about transparency, reliability, oversight, and risk.
▶ 1:04:31This bill will simply mandate that the SBA report to Congress annually about the use of AI and machine learning by the SBA, what benefits or risks may result from this technology, and how the SBA assesses the appropriateness, effectiveness, and the value of using these technologies. This is a common sense oversight measure. It does not mandate the use of AI, nor does it prohibit innovation.
▶ 1:04:55Instead, it ensures Congress has the visibility into these new tools that are being used and whether they are helping the SBA better fulfill its mission for small businesses. As technology evolves, Congress has the responsibility to ensure federal agencies are using it responsibly, transparently, and effectively. This is a bipartisan bill, and I want to thank Congressman Latimer for his work on this. I appreciate the committee's consideration of this bill, and I urge my colleagues to support it. I yield back.
▶ 1:05:25I now recognize Mr. Latimer uh from the great state of New York to speak on this
▶ 1:05:31Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and uh thank you, Congressman Finstad, for your leadership uh on this bill. It's bipartisan common sense bill. It reflects that uh we as a nation are dealing with the growth of AI with potential uses that carry great benefit, potential benefit, and great potential risks. And there's questions of accuracy and data privacy that that affect all of us uh across the aisle on both sides of the aisle.
▶ 1:05:55Uh I'm pleased to co-lead this bill with Congressman Finstad under the leadership of Chairman uh Williams and then also ranking uh per individual Nidia Velasquez. This bill directs SBA to report on the steps the agency can take to identify and manage the benefits and risks posed by these AI use cases. And uh we think this is an important step for our small businesses. Uh, I support the bill. I hope we all will support the bill. And Mr. Chairman, I yield back.
▶ 1:06:22Gentleman yields back. Are there any of the members who wish to be recognized for a statement?
▶ 1:06:28All right. Seeing none, I'd like to recognize the ranking member to speak on this bill.
▶ 1:06:33Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I commend uh Representatives Finstad and Vladimir for their leadership on this bill. In October of 2023, New York City launched a firstofits-kind artificial intelligence chatbot. It was meant to answer the questions of entrepreneurs about opening small businesses, local small business services, regulatory compliance, and business planning and strategy.
▶ 1:07:02On day one, I spotted issues with the accuracy of the chatbots outputs and its ability to answer questions. In response, I led a letter to the White House urging the consideration of common sense safeguards in any AI tool used by the federal agencies. Mr. Chairman, I ask unanimous consent to insert the letter into the
▶ 1:07:27So, agreed. According to an investigation by a local news outlet, my concerns were very real. The investigation determined that the chatbot was consistently hallucinating and encouraging small business owners to break laws and regulations which led it uh to it uh be shut down. AI has the incredible potential to revolutionize the way the government works but it also holds incredible risk.
▶ 1:07:57As the committee overseeing the SBA, we have a duty to ensure the agency considers and uses these tools responsively and effectively. This bill directs the SBA to report annually on its AI use, the benefits and risk and effective risk mitigation measures. With that, I urge all colleagues to vote yes, and I yield
▶ 1:08:23Thank you. Uh I now recognize myself to speak on the bill. Uh businesses across the country are adopting artificial intelligence which is reshaping how they operate. Detect fraud, improve customer service, and process information. And there's no reason why the SBA cannot also benefit from these efficiencies. And the SBA artificial uh intelligence utilization act of 2026 is forward-looking bill introduced by my colleagues Representative Finstead and Latimer.
▶ 1:08:51HR881 requires the SBA's report on how it is using AI to modernize its technology and improve operations. As the federal government works to prevent fraud in taxpayer dollars, AI tools can help the SBA better identify uh suspicious activity, detect improper payments, and strengthen oversight of the agency programs.
▶ 1:09:13By reporting the SBA's use of artificial intelligence, this bill will help promote a smarter, more efficient government while supporting innovation, uh protecting taxpayers dollars, and improving uh services for Main Street America. So, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR 8881. I yield back. Does anyone wish to offer an amendment? Seeing none, the uh the question now occurs on ordering HR 8881 reported favor to the house.
▶ 1:09:43All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:09:45All those post say no. In the pain of the chair, the eyes have it. HR.
▶ 1:09:50Yes, sir.
▶ 1:09:50I'd ask for recorded vote.
▶ 1:09:53All right. A member has asked for a recorded vote. Recorded vote has been requested. A roll call vote is ordered. Persuant to committee rule 13 and house uh rule 11. Further proceedings on this bill now are postponed. The committee now moves to consideration of HR8 8882, the Main Street Competes Act, introduced by Representative Schultton and Schmidt. Uh the clerk report the bill.
▶ 1:10:22HR 8882, a bill to amend. Without objection, HR 8882 is considered as read and open for amendment. I now recognize Miss Scolton from the great state of Michigan to speak on this legislation.
▶ 1:10:35Thank you so much, Mr. Chairman. I am so thrilled to speak in support of my bill, the Main Street Competes Act. While small businesses are the true powerhouses of our economy, they are often left to compete against a handful of large corporations. Without a level playing field, this can lead to higher prices for consumers and small businesses alike. Not to mention an increase in predatory pricing and other exclusionary practices. When industry consolidation goes too far, innovation is stifled and markets become difficult for small businesses to enter.
▶ 1:11:06The price we all pay for unfair monopolistic conduct is real and it needs to be addressed. My bill would do just that by directing the SBA's office of advocacy to work with the FTC and the Department of Justice to examine the gaps in our antitrust laws. Our office of advocacy is Main Street's voice within the federal government. And it's only right that they're in lock step with our nation's top antitrust enforcement agencies.
▶ 1:11:31This bill will not only enhance collaboration between these agencies on behalf of small businesses, it will also require advocacy to submit a report to Congress detailing antitrust violations reported by small businesses. By ensuring Main Street has a seat at the table, we can build an economy that creates opportunity for everyone. I want to thank my colleague, Representative Schmidt, for working with me on this legislation. I strongly urge my colleagues to support this bill.
▶ 1:11:58Gentle lady yields back. I now recognize Mr. Schmidt from the great state of Kansas to speak on this legislation.
▶ 1:12:05Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want to thank my colleague for her uh long-standing leadership on this issue. I'm glad to join in this uh bipartisan effort this year. Um the only thing I would add to the conversation, I worked a little bit on the antitrust enforcement side, both under state law and also under federal law. And and one of the things that's challenging uh is that these investigations and enforcement actions when appropriate that they can be very resource inensive and historically uh they are focused uh very much consumer focused matters.
▶ 1:12:34We we don't want them to be less consumer focused, but we do want to recognize that small businesses are a critical player who have a stake in the outcome of antirust enforcement and investigation decisions uh and in the deployment of scarce resources in those actions.
▶ 1:12:49Uh and the reporting requirements in this bill will ensure that small business has a voice at the table and that this committee and our colleagues have the information that we need to make appropriate policy judgments to be sure that those marketplaces that benefit all of us when they're competitive um uh are properly served from the vantage point of small business as well as the vantage point of consumers and the vantage point of overall public policy and and structured markets. So I want to thank my colleague for her work on this. Thank you, Mr.
▶ 1:13:16chairman for scheduling this and I encourage all of our colleagues to support this measure. I'd yield back.
▶ 1:13:21Gentleman yields back. Uh are there any other members who wish to be recognized for a statement?
▶ 1:13:27Mr. Chairman, if I may.
▶ 1:13:28Yes, ma'am.
▶ 1:13:29Uh I want to just say I I want to say that I strongly support this bill. I'm really grateful to my colleagues for their leadership on it. As someone who came to this committee from the Department of Justice where my job was to enforce our federal antitrust laws, this this piece of legislation is near and dear to my heart. What I saw on the front lines of the fight to enforce these laws, which for far too long have not been enforced, is consolidation like never before across our economy.
▶ 1:13:59We see it from the big a corporations who are screwing family farmers, the mega merge grocery chains that are squeezing family-owned independent grocerers. I just sat with many of them a few minutes ago before this hearing. We we see what consolidation is doing. And I am a proud capitalist, but I'm a capitalist who really believes that capitalism without competition is not capitalism.
▶ 1:14:25It is a form of exploitation that is making business impossible for our small businesses. So, this this is a common sense bill uh that really will fill gaps. I wish that this bill had been law when I served in the Justice Department because when you're in the federal executive branch, you can often be far too removed from the communities who you're proud to serve.
▶ 1:14:48And this is going to create the connective tissue that we need between Congress and our antitrust enforcers and ultimately the connective tissue and the information flow that we need from small businesses who are on the front lines of this fight. So I thank my colleagues for their leadership on this bipartisan bill and I urge all of our colleagues to support this. Thank you and I yield back.
▶ 1:15:12Gentle lady yields back. Are there any other members who wish to be recognized for a statement? All right. Seeing none, I'd like to recognize the ranking member to speak on this bill.
▶ 1:15:23Thank you, Mr. Chairman. For the last half century, agencies tasked with maintaining a competitive environment and a level playing field have neglected to enforce the laws on the books. As a result, our economy has grown increasingly consolidated. One study have found that 75% of industry have become more concentrated since the 19 the mid 1990s.
▶ 1:15:51Firms who garner market power often use that power against their competitors in the form of anti-competitive practices like price discrimination or self-p preferencing. These practices increase the barrier to entry for small firm or use their software as a digital tool bull for accessing markets.
▶ 1:16:15The SBA is a critical part of our nation's pro competition toolkit supporting small business creation and growth, but it cannot bolster small businesses alone. Strong antirust enfor enforcement has a real role to play in protecting a level playing field for small businesses.
▶ 1:16:36This bill makes perfect use of our office of advocacy, asking it to monitor the actions of other agencies and how their actions affect small businesses while leveraging their economic analysis to help Congress understand the structural issues small firms face when competing in the market and developing recommendations for how we can address those issue.
▶ 1:17:04I want to thank Representative Sculton and Schmidt for their work on this bill. I encourage a yes vote and I yield back.
▶ 1:17:14Gentle lady yields back. Thank you. And I now recognize myself to speak on this bill. Uh competition is a key uh uh tenant of capitalism. It allows consumers to choose with dollars between their business that will offer the best product, price or service. Without appropriate competition, innovation in the US economy will suffer.
▶ 1:17:34And HR8882, the Main Street Competes Act, aligns with the SBA's mission to preserve free, competitive enterprise and strengthen the small the overall economy of our nation by requiring the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission uh to provide data on the SBA office of advocacy on antitrust complaints, investigations, and enforcement actions involving small business.
▶ 1:17:55It also detects advocacy to uh evaluate these trends and provide recommendations to Congress on ways to improve competition and address harmful anti-competitive conduct. This bill takes a targeted data-driven approach to better understand those competitive pressures and determine whether current antitrust enforcement efforts uh adequately protect small businesses.
▶ 1:18:19So this bill will ensure that policymakers have the information they need to support a competitive marketplace where main street businesses can grow and can succeed. So I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR 8882 and I yield back. Now does anyone wish to offer an amendment? All right. Uh see seeing none the question now occurs in ordering HR 8882 reported favor to the house. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:18:46All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and our member will seek recognition. What is
▶ 1:18:53Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote.
▶ 1:18:55A recorded vote has been requested. A roll call vote is ordered. Pursuant to committee rule 13 and House rule 11, further proceedings on this bill now are The committee now moves it moves to consideration of HR 915, the Small Business Technical Act of 2025, introduced by Representatives Alford, Lee, and Mvin with Representative McGarvey as the committee co-lead. The clerk will report the bill.
▶ 1:19:24HR 915, a bill to authorize.
▶ 1:19:27Without objection, HR 915 is considered as read and open for amendment. I now recognize Mr. Alford from the great state of Missouri to speak on this
▶ 1:19:36Well, thank you, Mr. Chair and ranking member. Uh thank you for excusing my absence from most of this. Uh we've been across the hall in appropriations markup. This this bill is very important to me. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs. They strengthen local communities and drive innovation across this country. But in today's economy, a small business cannot compete without access to modern technology and digital tools.
▶ 1:20:06Whether it's cloud-based accounting software, payroll systems, cyber security protections, inventory management platforms, or emerging AI tools, technology is no longer a luxury for small businesses. It is essential to ensuring that Main Street keeps up with Wall Street. Unfortunately, Mr.
▶ 1:20:26Chairman, under the SBA's flagship 7A loan program, there have been unnecessary ambiguity surrounding whether these types of tools qualify as eligible business expenses. And that uncertainty creates confusion for lenders and limits access to capital for entrepreneurs simply trying to modernize their operations.
▶ 1:20:46While I am grateful that administrator Leler quickly amended the SBA's standard operation procedure to add clarity to these products that are allowed, it is still important for Congress to do our job and to make sure that such clarity is done with the force of law. The Small Business Technological Advancement Act provides a simple common fix, common sense fix.
▶ 1:21:09Our legislation clarifies that SBA 7A loans may be used for business software, cloud computing services, and other technologies that facilitate business operations, including tools powered by artificial This bill does not create a new program and it does not increase the size or scope of the 7A program.
▶ 1:21:34It simply updates SBA policy to reflect the realities of today's economy and it gives small businesses the certainty they need to invest in the tools required to grow and to compete. You know, for many Main Street businesses, technology adoption can mean the difference between expanding or falling behind. A small manufacturer may need software to improve logistics and inventory tracking.
▶ 1:22:01A local retailer may rely on cloud-based payment processing and cyber security tools. These are practical investments that help small businesses operate smarter and compete with larger firms that already have access to these resources. Quite simply, at the end of the day, this bill is about making sure that America's small businesses are not left behind in an increasingly digital economy.
▶ 1:22:28And if we want small businesses to succeed, which we all do here, to create jobs, to remain competitive, we need to make sure that federal programs keep pace with modern business So, Mr. Chairman, I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to continuing to work with this committee to advance it. Thank you so much, and I yield back.
▶ 1:22:52Gentleman yields back. I now recognize Mr. Garvey from the great state of Kentucky to speak on this legislation.
▶ 1:22:58Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you, Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Velasquez for including your uh this bill and for your support in this markup. Um, you know, look, a lot has changed in the last 25 years. Uh, my kids have never seen a phone book. In fact, when they come here, one of the things they like to do is see the phones that are still in the the cloak room because they're not used to seeing a landline either. We can't pretend that technology uh is is going to take over how we operate our businesses.
▶ 1:23:27Technology has taken over and changed how we operate our businesses. And what we have to do is make sure that the rules and regulations keep up with that technology. That's why I am proud to work with my friend uh Congressman Alford from the great state of Missouri on this smart piece of legislation, the Small Business Technological Act. It is just a common sense step towards ensuring that small businesses are able to take on modern-day problems with modern-day solutions.
▶ 1:23:57This bipartisan bill clarifies that small businesses may continue to use 7A loans to finance business software, cloud computing services, and other technologies that support their day-to-day operations. And I say continue because we want to make sure they can continue to do this because this works.
▶ 1:24:16We have seen how successful making technological programming an eligible use of funds in the 7A program has been and I fully support this bill giving small businesses the certainty they need to continue doing so. Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy. If we want them to stay that way, then we're going to have to make sure we are doing what we can to put them in a position to succeed. This bill continues to do that. It's why I support it.
▶ 1:24:44I encourage my colleagues to support it and I yield back.
▶ 1:24:49Gentleman yields back. Are there any of the members who wish to be recognized for a statement? Seeing none, I'd like to recognize the ranking member to speak on the bill.
▶ 1:25:00Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I just want to thank representative Alfred McGarry and Lee for their work on this matter and sent a message to the financial institutions that partner with SBA and SBA that the intent is clear.
▶ 1:25:18the 7A loans can be used to finance digital tools and with this change it is my hope we will track an increase in its usage regarding digital tools. So I urge my colleagues to support this bill and I yield back.
▶ 1:25:35Gentle lady yields back. I now recognize myself to speak on the bill. I'd like to thank my friend Representative Alford for introducing this bill earlier uh this Congress. From inventory and payroll to customer service and payment processing, modern business software is essential to the daily operation of Main Street businesses across this country.
▶ 1:25:54And HR 915, the Small Business Technology Act of 2025, provides an incredibly important clarification and removes any ambiguity by explicitly permitting small businesses to use SBA 7A loans to purchase and upgrade technology systems and business software, including those that utilize artificial intelligence to support their daily operations.
▶ 1:26:16This vital step to allow small business to fully utilize the SBA's flagship 7A loan program is another way to uh make sure that Main Street does not get left behind. Uh this common sense clarification will provide Main Street with financing needed to operate, modernize, and compete in the modern economy. So I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR 915 and I yield back. Now does anyone wish to offer an All right.
▶ 1:26:44Seeing none, the question now occurs on ordering HR 915 reported favorably to the House. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:26:52All those opposed say no. In the opinion of the chair, the eyes have it and HR 915 is agreed to.
▶ 1:26:58Mr. Chair,
▶ 1:26:59member seeks recognation for what
▶ 1:27:01I ask for a recorded vote, please.
▶ 1:27:03Recorded vote has been requested. A roll call vote is ordered persuant to committee rule 13 and House rule 11. Further proceedings on this bill are Committee now moves to consideration of HR 2804, the Protecting Small Business Competitions Act 2025, led by ranking member by the ranking member and myself and the clerk will report the bill.
▶ 1:27:31a bill to amend HR 2804 is considered as read and open for amendment. The bill sponsor, ranking member Velasquez, has an amendment in the nature of a substitute at the desk. Uh the amendment has been distributed in advance. The clerk will report the amendment.
▶ 1:27:46Amendment in the nature of a substitute to 8. Without
▶ 1:27:48objection, the amendment will be considered read and will serve as a base text for the purpose of further amendment. I now recognize the ranking member to speak on her legislation and the amendment.
▶ 1:28:00Thank you, Chairman Williams. I appreciate your work to re uh your work to reach an agreement on this bill and thank you to Representative Cisneros and Chairman Williams for your support and efforts to move it to move it forward. When the administration began a review of the government's procurements regulations last year, retaining and codifying a critical small business requirement known as the rule of two became a top priority.
▶ 1:28:30The rule of two is the foundation for small business participation in the industrial base. It is simple and effective. A contract must be set aside for a small businessonly competition if there is an expectation that small businesses will bid and can do the work.
▶ 1:28:50This longestablished policy was put in place in recognition that if small firms were required to compete against large corporations, it would be unlikely they will ever win a contract. With the rule of two in place, well over $100 billion in award is awarded annually to small businesses through contracts set aside for small business competitions.
▶ 1:29:15In fiscal year 2024 alone, $72 billion was awarded through general small business set aides. That does not include contracts awarded through one of SBA procurement programs, which my legislation protects and enables. I want to be clear about why we need to pass my bill and what it does and does and doesn't do.
▶ 1:29:41Small government contractors face an increasingly hostile federal marketplace. As consolidation puts more opportunities out of reach for small firms, we need to have policies in place to ensure contracts that can be performed by small businesses are actually awarded to small businesses.
▶ 1:30:02The Protecting Small Business Competition Act retains one of these key policies and puts into law a current regulatory requirement. It does it does not expand the rule of two past its current application. We do not require all contracts to be awarded based on competition or override mandatory sourcing, contracting officer discretion, choice of vehicle and so forth.
▶ 1:30:32We are preserving the current process that triggers a small business competition. That is why there is a strong support among the small business community. Hundreds of firms and organizations are urging support for my bill and I asked unanimous consent to insert letters into the record. Mr. Uh
▶ 1:30:53when it was clear the rule of two was in jeopardy last year, the small business community rallied, made their voices heard, and secured its extension. We need to to do our jobs now and codify it. I urge all my colleagues to vote yes and I yield back.
▶ 1:31:12A gentle lady yields back. I now recognize myself to speak on this bill. For decades, Arula 2 has been one of the most important safeguards to ensure small businesses can fairly compete in the federal marketplace and the industrial base. And for so many small businesses, especially service disabled veterans, these contracting opportunities are critical to creating jobs, growing their business, and continuing their service to their country. HR2804, the Protecting Small Business Competitions Act, as amended, is a bipartisan bill that cod cottifies the rule of two into law.
▶ 1:31:42Uh to be clear, the rule of two was implemented in regulation over 40 years ago and this bill [clears throat] does not change the current procurement process. It's an important point that I really want to uh to highlight. And the Trump administration reaffirmed the importance of this policy for small businesses by preserving the rule of two in the revolutionary FAR overhaul, [clears throat] restoring certain certainty back to small businesses that rely on it most.
▶ 1:32:07This bill guarantees that contracts above the simplified acquisition threshold must be set aside for small businesses whenever a contracting officer expects at least two qualified small businesses to compete. Uh this bill is as amended mirrors the administration's effort to restore predictability for small businesses competing in the federal marketplace and reserve opportunities for main street job creators, innovators, and veteran entrepreneurs. So, over 340 small businesses and associations, including veterans and tribes, support this legislation.
▶ 1:32:38So, as we move uh this bill to the to the House floor, I'm committed to working alongside the ranking member and all federal contractors to strengthen opportunities uh that small businesses uh well have ensuring u outside organizations are not unintentionally impacted by this policy.
▶ 1:32:56Now, I'd like to thank the ranking member uh for working with me on this bill and that to protect small business success. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR2804 and I yield back. Are there any other members who wish to be recognized for a statement?
▶ 1:33:13Mr. Chairman, I wish to be recognized.
▶ 1:33:14Now recognize Mr. Cisneros to speak on this bill and the amendment.
▶ 1:33:18Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And I proud I'm proud to stand with UN ranking member Velasquez and hundreds of small businesses and stakeholder groups across the country to safeguard small businesses and protect their right to compete for government contracts. I applaud the leadership and persistence of the ranking member towards codifying the rule of two. The rule of two gives small businesses a fighting chance and prevents large corporations from boxing them out of competition.
▶ 1:33:45At a time when our industrial base is shrinking, it is exactly the type of bipartisanship that our small businesses need from Congress to support the continued access and entry into the federal market and to compete for federal contracts. We heard as much at our contracting and infrastructure subcommittee hearing where one of the witness put it bluntly. It has been such a priority for our small businesses that I had to ask the SP administrator about it only the only time she joined our full committee nearly a year ago.
▶ 1:34:15The advocacy of the small business community helped retain the rule of tool in the recent overhaul to the federal acquisition regulations. However, there is a four-year sunset provision that makes the future retention of the rule of tool less secure. That is why I urge my colleagues to support HR2804 and codifying the rule of tool. I yield yield back.
▶ 1:34:37Are there any other members uh who wish to be recognized for a statement?
▶ 1:34:45All right. U does anyone wish to offer an amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute? Seeing none, the question now occurs on the adoption of the amendment in the in the nature of a substitute to HR2804. All those in favor say I. All those opposed say no.
▶ 1:35:06Opinion of the chair of the eyes have it. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR2804 is adopted. The question now occurs on order in HR24 as amended to be reported favorably to the house. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:35:21All those opposed say no. In the painting of the chair, the eyes have it.
▶ 1:35:24Mr. Chair,
▶ 1:35:25member will seek recognition for what
▶ 1:35:27Ask for a recorded vote.
▶ 1:35:28Ask for a recorded vote. Recorded vote has been requested and a roll call vote is ordered. Persuant committee rule 13 and house rule 11 for further proceedings on this bill are now Uh the committee now moves to consideration of HR 5498 the small business health options awareness act of 2024 introduced by representatives van Tenny and Hearn and the clerk will report the bill.
▶ 1:35:58HR5498, a bill to require.
▶ 1:36:01Objection. HR5498 is considered as read and open for amendment. The bill sponsor, Miss Van Dy, has an amendment in the nature of the substitute at the desk. The amendment has been distributed in advance. The clerk will report the
▶ 1:36:14Amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR.
▶ 1:36:17Without objection, the amendment will be considered as read and will serve as base text for the purpose of further amendment. I now recognize Miss Van Dy to speak on her legislation and the
▶ 1:36:28Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Small businesses drive innovation. They create jobs and they strengthen communities across the country, but too often they're forced to navigate a confusing and expensive health care system without clear information about all of the options that are available to them. In North Texas, I regularly hear from small business owners who want to provide quality health coverage for their employees, but they simply don't have the time or resources to sort through every possible option while also trying to keep their businesses running.
▶ 1:36:56And that's why the Trump administration's creation of individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements or IKRAS was such an important step forward. ICKS give employers a flexible tax advantage way to help employees purchase the health coverage that works best for them and their families. They reduce administrative burden on employers. They expand choice for workers. And they create a more modern and affordable approach to employer sponsored coverage. The problem is not that they don't work.
▶ 1:37:23The problem is that many small business owners don't even know that they exist. So my bill, the Small Business Health Options Awareness Act, is a common sense effort to fix that problem by ensuring that the Small Business Administration actively shares information about igros through its district offices and small business development centers, websites, social media, and other outreach tools already used to communicate with job creators across the country. This legislation does not create a new program or a mandate or a bureaucracy.
▶ 1:37:52It simply ensures that small businesses have access to information about an option that could help them provide more affordable and flexible health benefits to their employees. I hope my colleagues on both sides of the aisle can agree that small businesses deserve to know all the tools that are available to help them compete and grow and support their workers. And I urge support for this legislation and I yield back.
▶ 1:38:13Gentle gentle lady yields back. Are there any other members uh who wish to be recognized for a statement? Seeing none, I would like to recognize the ranking member uh to speak on the bill and speak on the amendment.
▶ 1:38:29Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Well, I agree with my colleagues that is important to provide more information to small businesses so that they can better meet the health care needs of their workers. I unfortunately cannot support this legislation for a number of reasons.
▶ 1:38:48First, the bill would require the SBA and the SBDC's to distribute materials only on individual coverage health and reimbursement accounts, often referred to as over half of all Affordable Care Act marketplace enrolles are small business owners, employees or self employed.
▶ 1:39:12By directing the SBA to provide information only on requiring information on the ACA marketplace creates a significant gap in the guidance available to small businesses. Many employers rely on the SBA and SBDC as a trusted resource and grip and and presenting only one option risk limiting their understanding of the full range of choices.
▶ 1:39:42To make informed decisions, small businesses need a complete overview of all options available to them. With that said, needs fixing to truly offer quality health care.
▶ 1:39:57Ecros can be used by employers to discriminate against certain classes of workers by shifting older or sicker employees, for example, into the individual marketplace, which in turn raises premiums and increases overall risks.
▶ 1:40:15A Brooking Institution analyst found that allowing employers to offer eras on alone with a group health plan could increase premiums anywhere from 16 to 93%. And if an employee is offered an IRA, they are not eligible for subsidized marketplace coverage unless their share of the premium is less than 10%.
▶ 1:40:44For many low-wage workers, they [snorts] will be better off without an IRA. But simply, it doesn't make sense. And even more baffling, this bill forces SBDC's to spread the word while the president's budget eliminates their funding and SBA refuses to pay them on time for services render.
▶ 1:41:07The Colorado SBDC hasn't received their first quarter payment of which is typically awarded in early February. Because of the delays, services has been cut, employees may be furlow and centers may close. Relying on SBDC's when they are being cut shows a clear lack of understanding of the entire situation at hand.
▶ 1:41:35Instead of pushing a partisan devices bill, we should be working together to conduct oversight of the SBA and ensure one resource partners, our resource partners are getting paid on time for the counseling counseling services they provide.
▶ 1:41:55We can also work together to offer a comprehensive slate of health care information to ensure employers and their workers can make informed decisions to truly help with the affordability crisis. Every option should be provided to businesses because doing so could mean the very survival of the operation and doing so should be a shared priority. Unfortunately, this is not the case.
▶ 1:42:25Instead, the Trump administration is building taxpayers to bankroll a billion dollar ballroom. And rather than lowering costs and making life better for small businesses, the Trump administration is making life harder and more expensive. that has ripped health care from millions, cut food assistant for kids, veterans, and seniors, and raised prices on everything from grocery groceries to utilities.
▶ 1:42:53And let's not get started on the price of gas. Republican policy spike premiums during an ongoing affordability crisis, rip health coverage away from millions of Americans to pay for tax cuts for the rich. And this this is your plan for healthcare. The bottom line, this is a messaging bill that won't accomplish anything. The SBA already has the authority to do it if it chooses.
▶ 1:43:23In reality, it is just an opportunity for members to talk about health care and give the appearance of taking action. I urge my colleagues to vote no and I yield back.
▶ 1:43:36Gentle lady yields back. I thank you and I now recognize myself to speak on the bill and the amendment. Uh, one of the biggest challenges facing small business today is the rising cost of providing employee healthcare benefits. In the first Trump administration, individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements known as uh were made available to employers to offer flexible tax advantage health insurance coverage by allowing them to reimburse employees for the cost of premiums for their individual health coverage.
▶ 1:44:05Offering flexible, affordable health care insurance plans will increase the attraction of small businesses when competing with larger companies for talent. And even at the state level, lawmakers today are incentivizing small businesses to adopt Icas. HR5498, the Small Business Health Options Awareness Act, is common sense bill that enhances the Trump administration's efforts to expand affordable health care options to small businesses by leveraging existing outreach uh programs to educate small business on how IRA offer competitive
▶ 1:44:35health benefits. This bill supports the administration's efforts to increase affordability in all sectors by giving employees of small businesses affordable health care options. I urge my colleagues to vote yes on HR5498 as amended and I yield back. Uh does anyone wish to offer an amendment to the amendment on the nature of a substitute?
▶ 1:44:56I do, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 1:44:57Uh for what purpose? Uh does the gentle lady seek recognition? I
▶ 1:45:01I have an amendment at the desk.
▶ 1:45:04There's an amendment at the desk. Uh we will briefly pause while staff distribute the amendment.
▶ 1:45:52from there. Okay, the clerk will report the
▶ 1:46:19Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR.
▶ 1:46:22Objection. The amendment is considered as read. I now recognize Miss Scton from the great state of Michigan for 5 minutes on the amendment.
▶ 1:46:29Mr. Chairman, thank you so much. I couldn't agree more with uh your statements. uh back home in Michigan too, the number one thing that I hear about when visiting from uh small businesses is their their deep concerns over the costs of health care, especially employee provided healthcare. Finding the right health insurance can be incredibly complicated. Having the wrong health insurance is costly. Small businesses should have access to every tool, every option available to them and their employees.
▶ 1:46:58so that there is no question that the Small Business Administration should be playing a role in educating business owners about their coverage. I I like this idea. However, the approach taken in HR5498, the Small Business Health Options Awareness Act, Emphasis on Options, um is incomplete. The bill would require the SBA to provide information on one and only one health care option, the individual coverage health reimbursement accounts or CCHAs.
▶ 1:47:28Through ICHAS, employers can reimburse their employees for qualified health care costs. While this option may be useful for some employers, it's by no means a silver bullet to the larger problem within our health care system. For example, some individuals who who may qualify for ICHAS would be ineligible for other healthcare coverage such as the Affordable Care Act premium tax credits.
▶ 1:47:50By requiring the SBA to inform entrepreneurs about this option at the expense of other coverage plans, this bill pushes a program that won't work for many entrepreneurs. As a member of this committee, we are all too familiar with the pitfalls of a one-sizefits-all approach. And we should be wary of legislation like this that stands no chance of addressing the diverse challenges that small businesses face. So, let's let's do it.
▶ 1:48:16Let's have the SBA inform small business owners of their options, all their options when it comes to healthcare. And if this program is the best, if it's one that all uh the employers want to choose, then there would be no problem. We'll we'll see how great it is and undoubtedly how many will choose it. My amendment is simple. It would require the SBA to share information on health care options in general without putting one particular plan over the other.
▶ 1:48:44It's because our business owners deserve options that work best for their unique needs. And I think we all hear from businesses in our district that are struggling to care for their workers and sustain this operation. So, let's focus our efforts on giving our small business uh small businesses the flexibility and the options that they need to choose what's best for them. I urge my colleagues to support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 1:49:09Gentle lady yields back. Is there further debate on the amendment? Miss Vanine recognized for five minutes.
▶ 1:49:17I very much appreciate that. Um again, you know, the the amendment that is being on the put on the table basically guts uh my original bill by removing the entire focus on the acas and replacing it with vague healthcare outreach language. The purpose of this legislation is to address a specific awareness gap for small businesses about the ACA, not create a broad new healthcare communications mandate for SBA.
▶ 1:49:44ACA exchanges and Medicaid already receive extensive federal outreach and taxpayerf funded promotion. It's already happening and it's been happening for years. Igor do not, which is exactly why this bill was introduced. I urge my colleagues to support the bill and I yield back.
▶ 1:50:05Gentle lady yields back. Is there further debate on the amendment?
▶ 1:50:10Mr. Mr. Chairman, I'd just like to add that if we were going to urge the SBA into a brand new arena of informing small businesses about their health care options, the bill's title needs to uh live up to its name and provide all of those options to small businesses. Uh currently the SBA is not involved in informing uh their partners, their participants about health care options.
▶ 1:50:36Forcing it to only inform them about one option does not give them the full
▶ 1:50:43Gentle lady yields back. Is there further debate on the amendment?
▶ 1:50:48Mr. Chairman,
▶ 1:50:50uh ranking members recognized for five
▶ 1:50:52I support um Miss Colton amendment. I think that is straightforward. Why are people so afraid of providing information and let the people that are going to be benefiting from it uh the uh the ability to make an informed decision by explaining what are the options that they have in front of them?
▶ 1:51:18Why do we have to push for only one option that could be uh that will make some of them ineligible? Um, so I ask my colleague to support the amendment. Thank you.
▶ 1:51:30Gentle lady yields back. Is there further debate on the amendment?
▶ 1:51:33Mr. Chair,
▶ 1:51:34Mr. Strawber's recognized for five
▶ 1:51:36I want to yield uh some of my time to Representative Van Dy.
▶ 1:51:40Thank you very much. Uh, Miss Shelton, I'd be more than happy to entertain if you want to change the name of the bill. Um, I would have loved to change the name of the bill of the Affordable Care Act, which is anything but, or the Inflation Reduction Act, which was anything but. So, if you would like to, you know, support a different name for the bill, let me hear it. Thank you. I yield back.
▶ 1:52:01Gentle lady yields back. Uh, the gentleman yield. Gentleman yields back.
▶ 1:52:05Uh, I yield back. Yes.
▶ 1:52:07Gentleman yields back. Is there further debate on the amendment?
▶ 1:52:14Mr. Mr. Chairman, like to be recognized.
▶ 1:52:17Gentleman's recognized.
▶ 1:52:19I'd like to yield some time. Yield my time to Miss Slottton
▶ 1:52:23Scolton. Sorry.
▶ 1:52:24Happens all the time. [laughter] If if the title is what you're concerned about, Miss Vanine, we can change it to uh the C information act. Uh which would be a more apt description of what you're trying to do here. Uh but I think the overall purpose of what you're trying to accomplish is uh actually noble and and as the number one issue that small businesses are struggling with right now, healthcare affordability.
▶ 1:52:50We absolutely should be encouraging the SBA to provide them with all options. Uh but that's not what this bill does. And so it's confusing. It's misleading to our small businesses. Uh and and that's not what we should be in the business of doing. The amendment is very simple. uh let's just provide it with with all the options and they can choose the best one for them. Thank you.
▶ 1:53:14The gentleman uh yields back.
▶ 1:53:16I would just like to say Mr. Chairman that I to also support this amendment and again if it is [clears throat] important for us to provide everybody with all the information possible on all the health health care plans available. So why not, you know, if the SBA is going to provide information on this, provide all the information that's out there possible to all the the programs that are available. And with that, I support this amendment and I yield back.
▶ 1:53:43Okay. Is there further debate on the
▶ 1:53:46Recognize Mr.
▶ 1:53:47Recognize Mr. Schmidt.
▶ 1:53:50Okay. Is there further debate on the Okay. Uh, thank you, Miss Scton, for offering an amendment to this legislation. However, I urge my colleagues to vote no on this amendment. I yield back. The question now occurs on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Michigan. All those in favor say I.
▶ 1:54:14All those opposed say no.
▶ 1:54:16Opinion of the chair. The nos have it and the amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 1:54:20Mr. Chairman, I request a recorded vote.
▶ 1:54:23Recorded vote requested. And a roll call vote is ordered. Further proceedings on the amendment and the bill are postponed. Are there additional
▶ 1:54:34Mr. Chair, I'd like to be recognized.
▶ 1:54:37For what purpose does the gentle lady seek recognition?
▶ 1:54:39Mr. Chair, I have an amendment at the
▶ 1:54:41There's amendment at the desk. We will briefly pause while staff distribute the
▶ 1:55:32The clerk will report the amendment.
▶ 1:55:35Amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR549.
▶ 1:55:39Without objection, the amendment is considered as read. I now recognize Dr. Morrison from the great state of Minnesota for 5 minutes on the
▶ 1:55:47Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. My amendment adds the requirement that when the Small Business Administration and Small Business Development Centers are publicizing or posting information about individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements or ICARS on their website, they must include a notice explaining to small businesses that may prevent employees from accessing premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act marketplace for which they would otherwise be eligible.
▶ 1:56:12Small businesses and their employees should be provided with all pertinent information so they can make informed choices for themselves and their families. I want to stress that many people receive worse health care coverage under Icas and that their use can make people ineligible for premium tax credits that can be used for more comprehensive and affordable coverage.
▶ 1:56:31Additionally, Icas may lead to health care discrimination against certain employees and push other health care costs even further by adding higher risk part-time and older employees to the exchange while reserving better health care options for top executives. As a physician, I know how crucial having access to affordable health insurance is to keeping people healthy and the overall integrity of our health care system.
▶ 1:56:52In addition to IKRA's being an unproven creation of the Trump administration with little initial data to support the idea that they save costs, with the chaos and instability caused by the so-called one big beautiful bill, insurance markets have been further destabilized and premiums have skyrocketed, making an even less secure option for coverage. We should be working together to ensure that small businesses have access to information about all types of healthcare coverage so they can make the choice that's best for them, not putting them at greater risk for inadequate coverage.
▶ 1:57:22I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of this amendment to ensure the Small Business Administration's providing small businesses with the relevant information they need to make informed decisions about their healthc care coverage. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I yield back.
▶ 1:57:34Gentle lady yields back. Is there further debate on the amendment? Now recognize Miss Vanine from Texas for five minutes.
▶ 1:57:42Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. This amendment is one-sided and extraordinarily misleading because it highlights only potential subsidy impacts while ignoring the benefits of employer sponsored coverage flexibility under Icas. It also implicitly pushes employees toward remaining on subsidized ACA coverage instead of employer supported coverage options. Further, ACA premium subsidies have been repeatedly identified as vulnerable to improper payments, eligibility issues, and fraud.
▶ 1:58:13Congress, GAO, and the HHS have all raised concerns about inefficient income verification and improper enrollment practices within the ACA subsidy structure. Rather than helping small businesses offer coverage, this amendment appears focused on steering individuals toward taxpayer funded ACA subsidies, a system that has faced repeated concerns over improper payments, eligibility issues, and fraud. I urge my clients not to support this amendment, and I yield back.
▶ 1:58:42General [snorts] A back. Is there any further debate on the amendment? I now recognize the ranking member from New York, Miss Velasquez, for five
▶ 1:58:54No one can deny in this committee that small businesses are struggling with the rising cost of health care if they can provide it. And this is a crisis that has been manufactured by this administration by enacting the policies that they have uh implemented. So, small businesses and their employees are struggling with health care cost and with this uh affordability crisis.
▶ 1:59:23Small businesses and their employees need all the pertinent information. They need to know that their employees could be worse off with uh um IRA. And they need to know that they that their use could make them ineligible for the premium tax credit that they will provide that will provide more generous and affordable coverage.
▶ 1:59:47By directing SBA to information to provide information only on IRA while failing to disclose that accepting an IRA could make them ineligible for premium tax credit is misleading and quite frankly problematic. Omitting that information risks steering small businesses away from coverage options that may be more affordable and generous.
▶ 2:00:13That is why I strongly support the amendment offered by my colleague Dr. Morrison, which will require SBA to include a notice explaining that individuals may lose access to the premium tax credits in the marketplace. I urge all my colleagues to support it.
▶ 2:00:32I yield back. Gentle lady yields back. Is there further debate on the All right. Seeing none, I'd like to recognize myself on this amendment. I appreciate Dr. Morrison's amendment to this legislation. However, urge my colleagues to vote no. I yield back the uh I yield back. Now, the question now occurs on the amendment offered by the gentle lady from Minnesota. All those in favor say I.
▶ 2:00:58All those opposed say no.
▶ 2:01:00No. opinion the chair the nose have it and the
▶ 2:01:04Mr. Chair, I'd like a recorded vote,
▶ 2:01:06Member requests a recorded vote has been requested and a roll call vote is ordered. Further proceedings on the amendment in the bill are postponed. And are there any additional amendments to the amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR5498?
▶ 2:01:23Seeing none.
▶ 2:01:24Okay. Seeing none, uh that uh uh concludes the consideration of legislation for today's markup.
▶ 2:01:32Excuse me, Mr. Chairman.
▶ 2:01:34Yes, ma'am.
▶ 2:01:34Um, I request a recorded vote.
▶ 2:01:37Recorded vote is requested and the committee will stand in recess. we What do we do?
▶ 2:01:48If all the people are here, people
▶ 2:01:54Okay. The the committee will stand in recess subject to the call of the chair. Members, please return at 4:05 to resume consideration of the bills and amendments on which roll call votes were requested and postponed.
▶ 2:25:18I want to take a point of personal privilege before we get started. The ranking member and I have been talking moments that sometimes don't come out right. And I had one of those today trying to say the word ambiguity. Still can't say it.
▶ 2:25:36And it reminded me of a story about Lyndon Johnson when he was a president had a young girl from University of Texas write his first State of the Union speech and he as he was reading through it he would say honey people aren't going to know what that word means and he'd cross through it or he couldn't say it and every time he put the X on the word he couldn't say it would say my dear old daddy said. So I had my dear old daddy said moment today and [laughter] just try it and see if you join my join the club. But any ambiguity. I got it.
▶ 2:26:06That's good. [laughter] Okay. All righty. This team, this committee will now come to order. We'll resume consideration of the bills in which roll call votes were requested and postponed. We will begin the with HR 4238. The question now occurs in ordering HR 4238 as amended. Reported failure to the House. The clerk will open the vote.
▶ 2:26:36Oh, there we go. Right.
▶ 2:26:38And where do I hit it?
▶ 2:26:39Uh, right here.
▶ 2:26:42You're good.
▶ 2:26:43You make sure. Are there any members who have not voted or wish to change their vote?
▶ 2:27:05If not, the clerk will close the vote and the clerk will report. Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 23 and the nos are zero. The motion agreed to and HR 4238 is amended and will reported favorably to the House. Question now occurs in order HR8879 reported favor favorably to the House. The clerk will open the vote.
▶ 2:27:33And we're green, right?
▶ 2:27:52We there yet? Are there any other members who have not voted or wish to change their vote? If not, the clerk will close the vote and the clerk will report.
▶ 2:28:03Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 23 and the nose are zero.
▶ 2:28:08Okay. The motions agreed to in HR8879 will be reported favorably to the house. Question now occurs in order HR 2826 as amended, reported favorably to the house. The clerk will open the vote. Are there any members who have not voted or wish to change their vote?
▶ 2:28:38If not, the clerk will close the vote and the clerk will report.
▶ 2:28:44Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 23 and the nose are zero.
▶ 2:28:48The motions agreed to and HR826 as amended will be reported favorably to the House. Question now occurs in ordinant HR 8880 reported favorably to the house. The clerk will open the vote. Are there any of the members who have not voted or wish to change their vote?
▶ 2:29:17Mr. Who? Uh if not, the clerk will close the
▶ 2:29:29are there any other
▶ 2:29:30Okay. Are there any other members besides Alford who've not voted or would not change their vote?
▶ 2:29:37Okay. If not, the clerk will close the
▶ 2:29:40The clerk will report.
▶ 2:29:42Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 23 and the nos are zero. The motion agreed to and HR8880 will be reported favorably to the house. Question now occurs in ordin HR8881 reported favorably to the house. The clerk will open the vote. Are there any other members who have not voted or wish to change their vote?
▶ 2:30:11If not, the clerk will close the vote and the clerk will report.
▶ 2:30:15Mr. Mr. Chairman, on this vote the eyes are 23 and the nos are zero.
▶ 2:30:20The motion is agreed to and HR8881 will be reported favorably to the house.
▶ 2:30:27Question now uh occurs on order HR8882 reported favorably to the house. The clerk will open the vote. Are there any other members who have not voted or wish to change their vote? If not, the clerk will close a vote and the clerk will report.
▶ 2:30:51Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 23 and the nos are zero.
▶ 2:30:55The motions agreed to in HR82 will be reported favorably to the house. Question now occurs on ordering HR 915 reported favorably to the House. The clerk will open the vote. Are there any other members who have not voted or wish to change their vote? If not, the clerk will close the vote and the clerk will report.
▶ 2:31:27Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 23 and the nose are zero.
▶ 2:31:32The motion's agreed to and HR 915 will reported favorably to the House. The question now occurs on ordin HR 2804 as amended reported fail to the house. The clerk will open the vote. Are there any other members who have not voted or wish to change their vote? If not, the clerk will close the vote. The clerk will report.
▶ 2:32:07Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 23 and the nos are zero.
▶ 2:32:11Right. The motions agreed to in HR 284 as amended. We reported favorably to the Okay. We will now take the proposed votes on HR 5498. Okay. Okay.
▶ 2:32:28The question is on the adoption of the amendment to the amendment in the nature of the substitute offered by Miss Scolton to Report the vote. I'm sorry. We'll open the vote.
▶ 2:33:03It's too late.
▶ 2:33:04Wake up.
▶ 2:33:06It's too late. [laughter] Are there any other members besides Cisneros who have not voted or wish to change their vote? If not, the clerk will close the vote and the clerk will report.
▶ 2:33:25Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 11 and the nose are 12.
▶ 2:33:30Okay. The amendment is not agreed to.
▶ 2:33:35The question is on the adoption of the amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by Dr. Morrison to HR5498. The clerk will open the vote. We good?
▶ 2:33:58Are there any other members who have not voted or wish to change their vote?
▶ 2:34:04If not, the clerk will close the vote and the clerk will report.
▶ 2:34:09Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 11 and the nos are 12.
▶ 2:34:13Are you sure?
▶ 2:34:15You want to recount? I mean you nobody's voting over there on your side. So the amendment is not agreed to. Okay. The question now occurs on the adoption of the amendment in the nature of a substitute offered representative van to HR5498.
▶ 2:34:34All those in favor say I.
▶ 2:34:37Opposed? All those say
▶ 2:34:39no. Opinion of the chair. The eyes have it. The amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR5498 is adopted. Now the question is now in favorably reporting HR5498 as amended to the house. All those in favor say I.
▶ 2:34:55All those opposed say no.
▶ 2:34:57In the opinion of the chair of the eyes have it and HR5498 as amended.
▶ 2:35:01Mr. Chair, yes. I'd like to uh request a recorded vote.
▶ 2:35:04Okay. A recorded vote has been requested. A roll call vote is ordered. The clerk will open the vote. [snorts] Are there any other members who have not voted or wish to change their vote?
▶ 2:35:26If not, the clerk will close the vote and the clerk will report.
▶ 2:35:31Mr. Chairman, on this vote, the eyes are 13 and the nos are 11.
▶ 2:35:36All right. The motion agreed to and HR5498 as amended will be reported favorably to the House. That's it.
▶ 2:35:42No, not yet. If there's no further business, this concludes today's markup. Without objection, the committee staff has authorized to make technical and conforming changes and members have two business days to file additional supplemental descent and minority views. I want to thank all of you for being here today. Without objection, we live in the greatest country in the world. The committee stands a journ.
▶ 2:36:03Thank you.