| Speaker | Time | Text |
|---|---|---|
|
Every Moment Matters
00:06:21
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|
unidentified
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Crucial to our national security. | |
| Our next generation air missions, like the F-47s and CCAs, must also be fielded to the Air National Guard. | ||
| I proudly represent the heart of Illinois, home to the 182nd Airlift Wing in Peoria. | ||
| As you all are well aware, they are the gold standard for Air National Guard service. | ||
| And I know I speak for everyone back home when I say that we're so excited to welcome the C-130J model to our airports and ours. | ||
| You can watch the rest of this on our free C-SPAN Now video app as we take you to the U.S. Capitol, where the House is gaveling in. | ||
| You're watching live coverage on C-SPAN. | ||
| The House will be in order. | ||
| The prayer will be offered by Chaplain Kibben. | ||
| Would you pray with me? | ||
| Ruler of the universe, we humble ourselves before you. | ||
| You spoke and the heavens were made. | ||
| The stars were brought forth by the breath of your mouth. | ||
| And amidst all that grandeur, you set our feet upon this earth. | ||
| Every moment of our lives, that same creative power touches each one of us tenderly and lovingly, guiding us in the way you would have us go. | ||
| How easy it is, however, for us to lose awareness of your abiding presence. | ||
| So caught up are we in the business and the busyness of life, we fail to realize that you are as close to us as our breath. | ||
| Every moment of every day, you are the source of our strength. | ||
| This day, open our eyes to your nearness, that we would be assured when we are uncertain, encouraged when our efforts seem to yield no reward, and humbled to follow where you would lead. | ||
| With that same humility, remind us that you are just as present in the lives of those around us. | ||
| These too are your children, the delight of your creation. | ||
| Draw us near to them, that in serving them, we would be your hands and feet. | ||
| In being present in their lives, we would be your living and loving presence at their side. | ||
| God of all creation, let your eternal light remain with and shine through us as we seek to serve you this day. | ||
| In your loving name, we pray. | ||
| Amen. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The chair has examined the journal of the last day's proceedings and announces the House the approval, to the House, the approval thereof. | |
| Pursuant to clause one of Rule One, the journal stands approved. | ||
| The Pledge of Allegiance will be led by the gentleman from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson. | ||
| Everyone, including our guests in the gallery, please join in. | ||
|
unidentified
|
I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. | |
| The chair will receive a message. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, messages from the President of the United States. | ||
| Mr. Speaker. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Mr. Secretary. | |
| I'm directed by the President of the United States to deliver to the House Representatives messages in writing. | ||
| The Chair will entertain up to 15 requests for one-minute speeches on each side of the aisle. | ||
| For what purpose did the gentleman from South Carolina wish to be recognized? | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House 1005 San Laura Morgan. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. | |
| Thank you very much, Chairman Hearn. | ||
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| Historically, 81 years ago, tomorrow, June 6, 1944, 160,000 Allied troops surprised War Criminal Hitler with Operation Overlord along the beaches of Normandy, France. | ||
| This began the drive to liberate Europe with victory over good of evil over evil to end World War II. | ||
| More than 10,000 Americans and allies were killed or wounded on D-Day, all in the name of freedom, courageously led by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. | ||
| President Ronald Reagan clarified peace through strength at his Normandy address on the 40th anniversary of D-Day, and it's now more true than ever. | ||
| Quote, it is better to be here today to protect the peace than to take blind shelter across the sea, rushing to respond only after freedom is lost. | ||
| End of quote. | ||
| In conclusion, God bless our troops as the global war on terrorism continues. | ||
| Trump has successfully reinstituted existing laws to protect American families with peace through strength, revealing War Criminal Putin lies, insulting Trump, and mocking Trump with a phone call threatening to murder civilians in Ukraine and defending Iran's nuclear capability to develop a weapon for death to Israel, death to America. | ||
| I yield back. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Thank the gentleman for yielding. | |
| For what purpose does the gentlewoman from New Jersey seek recognition? | ||
| I rise to attract the house for one minute. | ||
| Without objection, the gentlewoman is recognized for one moment. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor the legacy of Catherine Willis, a woman who lived to help her community realize the dream of justice and equity and whose legacy lives on in every neighborhood she touched. | ||
| She was a dedicated public servant, excelling in pushing Easter Orange forward in her roles as Director of Senior Services and Director of Planning and Economic Development. | ||
| Her work in education, housing, and civil rights reflected her belief that no one should be left behind. | ||
| She stood up for those in our society who often fall through the cracks. | ||
| Ms. Willis didn't just serve the people, she empowered them. | ||
| She reminded us all that the strength of a community lies in how it treats its most vulnerable. | ||
| Today, I ask this body to recognize not just her accomplishments, but her enduring impact. | ||
| May we remember her not only for what she did, but for what she made possible. | ||
| With that, I yield back. | ||
| Thank you. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentlewoman Yields, the gentleman from California, the purpose you seek recognition. | |
|
Gas Tax Hike Strains Californians
00:02:59
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| Mr. Speaker, I seek unanimous consent to this House for one minute. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| Well, California's governor and legislature added again. | ||
| The annual gas tax hike that already is in place is going to raise the gas tax another two cents to a staggering 61 cents per gallon. | ||
| It's already squeezing families, small businesses, farms, everything. | ||
| But new clean air rules are expected to take effect alongside this tax hike, which could push prices even more. | ||
| Now, state Republicans tried to stop these costly rigs. | ||
| Democrats blocked out without even debate, showing little concern for how hard Californians are already being hit and struggling with these high costs of electricity, fuel, and everything else. | ||
| So there's controversy historically around the Air Resources Board Chair Leanne Randolph, who recently admitted her agency does not analyze how its rules and new taxes affect prices for everyday drivers. | ||
| They don't even analyze how the effect is going to be. | ||
| They just go ahead and raise them. | ||
| CARB wields too much unchecked power without accountability. | ||
| CARB proposing a new fuel standard will further increase the cost of fuel another 65 cents a gallon for Californians. | ||
| So with two oil refineries set to shut down due to the high regulations, it's going to really increase the cash prices to probably $8.43 according to a USC study. | ||
| Who the heck could afford this? | ||
| I yield back. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentleman Yields, for what purpose does the gentleman from California seek recognition? | |
| Without objection, the gentleman is recognized for one minute. | ||
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| The administration's reckless public servant firing spree is hurting the health, safety, and financial security of people across the United States. | ||
| Since he came into office, the president has laid off at least 58,000 federal civil service workers with plans to eliminate an additional 150,000 workers. | ||
| And another 76,000 workers accepted buyouts after being threatened with relocation or termination. | ||
| These layoffs include hundreds of staff members at the Center for Disease Control who protected children from lead poisoning and air pollution, amongst other services. | ||
| Staff cuts at the Social Security Administration have resulted in longer wait times for seniors applying for benefits. | ||
| I've been proud to join legal briefs filed against the administration, which are resulting in the reinstatement of thousands of federal workers. | ||
| I will continue to push back against the President and oppose illegal cuts to the federal workforce, which block Americans from assessing the critical government services they rely on. | ||
|
Chair Lays Message
00:06:43
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| If we want to talk about efficiency, let's join together to evaluate it, not do it this way. | ||
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| I yield back. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman yields. | |
| This will be the chair lays before the House a message. | ||
| The chair lays before the House a message. | ||
| To the Congress of the United States, I hereby notify the Congress that I intend to designate Dwayne Townsend, currently special agent in charge, Department of Commerce, Office of the Inspector General, as Acting Inspector General of the Department of Commerce in place of the current Acting Inspector General, Roderick Anderson. | ||
| Such designation will be effective no less than 30 days from delivery of this message. | ||
| The Constitution vests the executive power in the President, who has a duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. | ||
| U.S. Constitution, Article 2, Section 1, 1 ID, Section 3. | ||
| In exercising that power and duty, I have determined that based on the qualities outlined in 5 U.S.C. 403A and the confidence I must place in my appointees, Mr. Townsend is the best available person to serve as Acting Inspector General of the Department of Commerce at this time. | ||
| In my judgment, Mr. Anderson can better serve the nation, performing other duties, for example, returning to his position as Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Commerce. | ||
| I'm providing this notification as a courtesy to show a show of comedy and respect between the executive and legislative branches. | ||
| It should not be interpreted as a concession that the Congress can limit my power to remove any officer because no single person could fulfill the President's responsibilities alone. | ||
| The framers expected that the President would rely on subordinate officers for assistance. | ||
| And the Constitution gives the President the authority to remove those who assist him in carrying out his duties. | ||
| Free Enterprise Fund, First Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, 561 USC 477, 513 through 514, 2010. | ||
| Without such power, the President could not be held fully accountable for discharging his own responsibilities. | ||
| The buck would stop somewhere else. | ||
| Ultimately, I have determined that the change priorities of my administration as compared to the previous one will be better reflected with new leadership in this office. | ||
| Therefore, I am apprising you of my intention to designate Mr. Townsend as acting inspector general of the Department of Commerce, effective no less than 30 days from delivery of this message. | ||
| Signed, Donald J. Trump, the White House, June 4th, 2025. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and ordered printed. | |
| Chair lays before the House a message. | ||
| To the Congress of the United States, I am hereby notifying the Congress that I intend to designate Heidi Seaman, currently senior special agent with the Office of the Inspector General for the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, as Acting Inspector General of the Department of Education in place of the current Acting Inspector General. | ||
| Such designation will be effective no less than 30 days from delivery of this message. | ||
| The Constitution vests the executive power in the President, who has a duty to take care that the laws be faithfully executed. | ||
| U.S. Constitution, Article 2-1, Clause 1, Section 3. | ||
| In exercising that power and duty, I have determined that based on the qualities outlined in 5 U.S.C. 403A and the confidence I must place in my appointees, Ms. Seaman is the best available person to serve as Acting Inspector General of the Department of Education at this time. | ||
| In my judgment, Mr. Rokur can better serve the nation performing other duties, for example, returning to her position as Deputy Inspector General of the Department of Education. | ||
| I am providing this notification as a courtesy, a show of comedy and respect between the executive and legislative branches. | ||
| It should not be interpreted as a concession that the Congress can limit my power to remove any officer because no single person can fulfill the President's responsibilities alone. | ||
| The framers expected that the President would rely on subordinate officers for assistance. | ||
| Celia Law, LLC versus Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 591 U.S.C. 197, 203 through 204, 2020. | ||
| And the Constitution gives the President the authority to remove those who assist him in carrying out his duties. | ||
| Free Enterprise Fund versus Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, 561 U.S.C. 477, 513 through 514, 2010. | ||
| Without such power, the President could not be held fully accountable for discharging his own responsibilities. | ||
| The buck would stop somewhere else. | ||
| Ultimately, I have determined that the change priorities of my administration as compared to the previous one will be better reflected with new leadership in this office. | ||
| Therefore, I am apprising you of my intention to designate Ms. Seaman as acting inspector general of the Department of Education, effective no less than 30 days from delivery of this message. | ||
| Signed, Donald J. Trump, the White House, June 4th, 2025. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and ordered printed. | |
| For what purpose does the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Williams, seek recognition? | ||
| Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 458, I call up H.R. 2931 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The clerk will report the title of the bill. | |
|
Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities
00:15:37
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||
| Union Calendar No. 81, H.R. 2931, a bill to direct the administrator of the Small Business Administration to relocate certain offices of the Small Business Administration in sanctuary jurisdictions and for other purposes. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Persuaded to House Resolution 458, the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Small Business, printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in Part B of House Report 119-130, is adopted and the bill, as amended, is considered red. | |
| The bill, as amended, shall be debatable for one hour, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Small Business or their respective designees. | ||
| The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Williams, and the gentlewoman from New York, Mrs. Velasquez, each will control 30 minutes. | ||
| The chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Without objection. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| I yield myself such time as I may consume. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman may proceed. | |
| I rise today in support of H.R. 2931, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act of 2025, introduced by Representative Finstead. | ||
| This legislation does exactly what is necessary to ensure SBA employees are safe. | ||
| Despite inheriting one of the most secure borders in American history, President Biden relaxed border policies, and today communities continue to deal with these consequences. | ||
| I'm talking about everything from crime against small businesses forced to close their storefronts to the death of innocent Americans, and it hasn't stopped, as evidenced by the tragedy in Boulder, Colorado, earlier this week. | ||
| Thankfully, President Trump is taking action to restore the rule of law with executive orders that stop the federal subsidiary of areas that refuse to comply with immigration laws. | ||
| This legislation, in part, codifies those efforts and the work already done at the SBA. | ||
| Under Administrator Loffler's leadership, the regional offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Seattle will be moved to safer communities within those states. | ||
| But there are more other cities that we must reach. | ||
| Under this bill, the SBA administrator will make determinations on what offices will be moved and will make those decisions public to ensure transparency. | ||
| It is important to note that SBA services to small businesses nationwide will not be interrupted by passing this legislation. | ||
| When a small business in any jurisdiction needs assistance, they can still go to their local SBA development center or their community lender. | ||
| But we cannot let the previous administration's border crisis put the safety of small businesses who go to the SBA offices and the SBA employees who work in those offices at risk. | ||
| My colleagues on the other side of the aisle are going to argue that Republicans are working to close SBA offices. | ||
| This bill simply relocates these offices. | ||
| As I said before, lending and counseling services for small businesses will still be provided to constituents. | ||
| I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill to make Main Street safe again. | ||
| I reserve the balance of my time. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from Texas reserves. | |
| The gentlewoman from New York is recognized. | ||
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| I yield myself as much time as I may consume. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentlewoman is recognized. | |
| Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2931. | ||
| This bill is not about improving the SBA or expanding support for small businesses. | ||
| It is about punishing cities for their politics and dragging a vital agency into another culture war. | ||
| Earlier this year, the SBA administrator abruptly announced that six regional offices located in cities like New York, Chicago, and Seattle will be relocated. | ||
| These are some of the most diverse, economically important cities in the country. | ||
| They are also home to thousands of small businesses that rely on these offices for support. | ||
| The decision was made without consultation, without any clear plan, and without even a basic briefing to Congress. | ||
| In fact, 24 of my colleagues and I sent a letter to the administrator demanding answers. | ||
| We still haven't received an adequate response, just rhetoric. | ||
| Now, this bill will lock in that same reckless approach and expand on it. | ||
| It strips regional, district, and local SBA offices out of so-called sanctuary cities, despite there being no legal definition and no justification for such a move. | ||
| This isn't about immigration enforcement. | ||
| It's about politics. | ||
| This administration wants to punish some of our larger cities because they have the nerve to vote Democratic. | ||
| And it is important to note, all these cities comply with the federal laws. | ||
| And who will this bill hurt? | ||
| Not politicians, not city officials. | ||
| It is the small business owners and their employees who will suddenly have to navigate SBA programs without the support they have relied on for years. | ||
| At the same time, the SBA is already in crisis. | ||
| Huge numbers of staff have been fired or forced out. | ||
| Customer service has plummeted. | ||
| Small business owners are calling and no one is there to answer. | ||
| And now, in the middle of all that, we're talking about uprooting even more offices. | ||
| This bill doesn't fix anything. | ||
| It adds more confusion and disruption for the people we are supposed to be helping. | ||
| It wastes taxpayers' dollars to carry out a political agenda, and it ignores the real economic challenges small businesses are facing. | ||
| Let's not forget, entrepreneurs across the country are already dealing with higher prices caused by tariffs. | ||
| That is a direct result of this administration's trade policies. | ||
| These added costs are squeezing margins and making it harder for small businesses to stay afloat. | ||
| The last thing they need is less support from the very agency that is supposed to help them. | ||
| They also don't need to be spending hours traveling to offices to get assistance. | ||
| If we really wanted to support small businesses, we will be talking about access to capital. | ||
| We will be looking at how to rebuild SBA capacity, not guard it further. | ||
| We would be focused on lowering costs, expanding outreach, and getting more entrepreneurs the tools they need to grow. | ||
| Or just maybe we could stop playing games and pass a bill exempting small businesses from the pain of this administration on again, off-again tariffs. | ||
| But instead, here we are debating a bill that makes things worse. | ||
| I urge my colleagues to reject this bill, stand up for small business owners in every zip code, and restore the SBA mission as a non-partisan advocate for America's entrepreneur. | ||
| Thank you. | ||
| I reserve the balance of my time. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from New York Reserves, the gentleman from Texas, is recognized. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| I yield to Representative Alford from the great state of Missouri such time as he may consume. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from Missouri, Mr. Alford, is recognized for as much time as he may consume. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| Thank you, Chairman, for this important piece of legislation. | ||
| Thank you to our ranking member for your passion and your concern for small businesses in America. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2931, the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act, championed by my good friend Congressman Finstad. | ||
| Look, Mr. Speaker, this is not about a culture war in America. | ||
| This is about putting American small business owners first, while ensuring lawless sanctuary cities do not reap the benefits of hosting SBA offices. | ||
| It's pretty simple, folks. | ||
| This is all about protecting American small businesses and making sure that federal taxpayer dollars are not funneled into lawless sanctuary cities that put illegal aliens ahead of their own citizens. | ||
| Why should hardworking American entrepreneurs and law-abiding communities be second in line to support from their own government? | ||
| They shouldn't be. | ||
| This bill will relocate SBA regional offices from sanctuary jurisdictions to communities that actually respect the rule of law, that actually put American citizens first. | ||
| And that is not controversial. | ||
| It's just common sense. | ||
| President Biden's open border policies let in millions, millions of illegal aliens, unvetted illegal aliens, including dangerous, violent criminals. | ||
| The woke policies of Democrat-run sanctuary cities fueled by woke politics have become magnets for chaos, stretching public resources to the brink and crowding out citizens who actually follow the law. | ||
| And what happens? | ||
| Well, it often depletes the public resources meant for U.S. citizens. | ||
| Moving SBA offices into non-sanctuary jurisdictions is a step in the right direction. | ||
| Let me be clear, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| The federal government should not reward sanctuary cities with permanent SBA infrastructure. | ||
| It's just wrong. | ||
| And it's not wrong and quite frankly insulting to every law-abiding taxpayer and every small business owner struggling to stay afloat. | ||
| We've got to move these offices. | ||
| This legislation is another example of House Republicans working to codify President Trump's executive orders. | ||
| In March, SBA Administrator Loffler announced a series of actions to put Americans first, including moving SBA regional offices out of sanctuary cities. | ||
| This bill makes it law, backs that up. | ||
| This common sense legislation, as well as others we are voting on this week, put Americans and American small businesses first, puts Main Street first. | ||
| But Mr. Speaker, we can't stop there. | ||
| There are many cities that share the same lawless woke policies as sanctuary cities. | ||
| They're soft on crime, even if they don't wear the sanctuary label outright. | ||
| Kansas City is one of those, just one example. | ||
| It's not officially designated as a sanctuary city, but it might as well be a first cousin of one. | ||
| That's exactly why I've asked Administrator Loffler to relocate the SBA regional office from Kansas City in Missouri's 5th congressional district down to our district in the 4th. | ||
| Because at the end of the day, American citizens and small businesses should not be the ones being served by SBA offices, not illegal aliens in sanctuary cities. | ||
| Let's get serious. | ||
| Let's put America first, like we had the mandate to do in November. | ||
| The America First Agenda led by President Donald J. Trump. | ||
| I urge my colleagues to support and vote yes for H.R. 2931. | ||
| And Mr. Speaker, with that, I yield back. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Reserve. | |
| The gentleman from Texas Reserves, the gentlewoman from New York, is recognized. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I yield three minutes to a gentlelady from New Jersey, Ms. McIther. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentlelady from New Jersey is recognized. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you to my ranking member. | ||
| To my colleague across the aisle, obviously he wants us to be sleep because that's the opposite of being woke. | ||
| I guess we should introduce sleepy policies and be sleep at the job. | ||
| I rise to voice my strong opposition to the efforts to undermine American small businesses by the very agency tasked with fueling them. | ||
| Because let me be clear, this is what H.R. 2931 would do. | ||
| Allow the Small Business Administration to gut punch the small businesses it is supposed to serve, just to punish cities that embrace their immigrant communities. | ||
| Targeting sanctuary cities as this bill does is beyond the scope of the SBA's duties. | ||
| And it flies in the face of what the SBA is supposed to do, lift up small businesses in communities across the country, no matter what city they are located in or what party they belong to. | ||
| Rather than driving economic growth, this legislation would strip essential resources from some of our nation's most vibrant and diverse communities. | ||
| This would hurt the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of business owners. | ||
| If the New York office was to close, the effects would spill over into my own community. | ||
| The SBA office in Nork services over 800,000 small businesses in New Jersey alone. | ||
| Cutting SBA offices from these areas will stall growth and jeopardize jobs. | ||
| It will displace employees and disrupt critical services that local businesses rely on. | ||
| It will burden nearby offices and stretch resources very thin. | ||
| And it will make it harder for business owners to get the help they need when they need it. | ||
| Nork's office would be overwhelmed if the New York City office closes. | ||
| This bill weaponizes federal resources to hurt cities that have made the choice to protect immigrant communities. | ||
| This is unjust. | ||
| I have worked closely with my Democratic colleagues to raise these concerns directly with the SBA administrator through multiple letters, outreach, and even in small business committee yesterday. | ||
| SBA's response, if any, have been dismissive. | ||
| I stand firmly against using the SBA as a tool to penalize cities based on their immigration policies. | ||
| I hope my colleagues will stand with me. | ||
| I urge you to vote no on the Save SBA from Sanctuary Cities Act to protect the SBA's mission and vibrant economies for all of our cities. | ||
| With that, I yield back. | ||
| I research. | ||
| I research. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from New York Reserves, the gentleman from Texas is recognized. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I yield to Representative Crank from the great state of Colorado such time as he may consume. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from Colorado is recognized. | |
| Mr. Speaker, thank you, and thank you, Mr. Chairman. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 2931. | ||
| We've allowed sanctuary cities to openly defy federal immigration law for far too long. | ||
|
Sanctuary Cities and Federal Offices
00:15:16
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||
| There must be real consequences for it. | ||
| And I want to thank the gentleman from Minnesota, Representative Finstad, for introducing this important piece of legislation. | ||
| And I'm also grateful to Chairman Williams of the Small Business Committee for working with me to ensure that my community, El Paso County and Colorado Springs, isn't swept up in the radical sanctuary policies coming out of Denver, Colorado. | ||
| Specifically, I want to thank him for accepting our amendment to ensure communities like mine that are fighting back against criminal coddling politicians remain eligible locations for SBA offices. | ||
| You know, we've heard a lot of folks who are opposed to this bill say things like it's undermining small business or it's creating a culture war. | ||
| This is about the rule of law. | ||
| This is about thumbing their nose, cities thumbing their noses at taxpayers. | ||
| You aren't entitled to federal funds in America. | ||
| There's a way, by the way, to keep these offices in these cities. | ||
| Stop being sanctuary cities. | ||
| Comply with the law. | ||
| When did that become something that was optional in America to comply with the federal law? | ||
| It's incredible. | ||
| As we hold sanctuary jurisdictions accountable, we must recognize that not every community in a sanctuary state is part of the problem. | ||
| And I believe the amended bill draws that line distinctly and it recognizes districts like Colorado 5 that I represent that have been bravely pushing back on their own. | ||
| When the Biden administration opened our borders and over 8 million or more crossed into our country illegally, 300 migrants per day rolled into Colorado because cities like Denver welcomed them with our taxpayer dollars. | ||
| Migrants with connections to dangerous gangs like Trende Aragua didn't just stay in Denver, but they moved to nearby communities and they took over apartment complexes that were owned by individuals. | ||
| El Paso County, my county, recognized the threat but with zero support from the Colorado legislature, who at the same time passed more laws to make it worse. | ||
| The Colorado legislature passed laws prohibiting law enforcement from honoring ICE detainers. | ||
| The Colorado legislature restricting data sharing with federal immigration agencies. | ||
| And the legislature passing a law that banned contracts for immigration detention centers. | ||
| This is lawlessness and this body should recognize it as such. | ||
| In 2024, my good friend Sheriff Joe Roybal of El Paso County and other county leaders filed a lawsuit against the state, arguing that these laws are unconstitutional and that they hamper public safety. | ||
| Now contrast that with cities like Denver, which have exacerbated their housing crisis and they continue to support illegal immigrants, illegal immigrants, going so far as to bar city employees from cooperating with federal immigration enforcement. | ||
| You talk about playing politics. | ||
| That's playing politics. | ||
| They passed laws in Denver to create a legal defense fund for illegal immigrants. | ||
| And they passed a law to spend more than $180 million a year on related services, all while hosting the SBA regional office and laughing at the American taxpayers while doing it. | ||
| This is unacceptable. | ||
| Sanctuary cities should not be rewarded with federal offices and resources. | ||
| That's why I wrote to SBA Administrator Kelly Loffler urging her to move the regional office to Colorado Springs, where we cooperate with federal authorities and support small business, and we uphold law and order for our citizens. | ||
| While President Trump has delivered on his promise to regain operational control of the border, the fight isn't over. | ||
| We need full cooperation between federal, state, and local law enforcement. | ||
| But it's unfortunate that Colorado's leadership is still going in the wrong direction. | ||
| Despite Governor Polis saying in January he was open to work with the Trump administration, he instead signed new legislation in May that expands protections for illegal immigrants, even after local officials raised serious concerns. | ||
| My community, meanwhile, is doing the work El Paso County and the Colorado Springs Police Department are partnering with ICE and the DEA. | ||
| And in April, they led a nightclub raid that resulted in over 100 illegal immigrants being detained for human and drug trafficking. | ||
| This is something that we're going to support with lawlessness, not in my community. | ||
| In May, they turned over 13 illegal immigrants to ICE custody. | ||
| And we understand the real consequences of sanctuary policies. | ||
| Colorado has become a haven for illegal immigration. | ||
| And in one tragic case that we all now know about this week, an illegal immigrant who overstayed his visa launched Molotov cocktails at innocent Boulder residents in what was a hateful racial attack. | ||
| Despite the state knowing that that person was already illegally in our country, and the state of Colorado gave him a driver's license. | ||
| We can't let sanctuary jurisdictions defy federal law and endanger public safety. | ||
| Let me be clear. | ||
| El Paso County, my county, is not a sanctuary jurisdiction. | ||
| Despite the policies from Denver, we're committed to working with federal immigration authorities and protecting our communities. | ||
| Again, I want to thank Chairman Williams and his staff for working with me, for working with my county. | ||
| And El Paso County is ready and willing to host the SBA office. | ||
| I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 2931. | ||
| And with that, I thank you and I yield back, Mr. Speaker. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from Texas Reserves, the gentleman from New York is recognized. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| It's quite rich to come to the House and talk about rule of law. | ||
| At least on this side of the aisle, we don't have anyone who pardons 1,500 felons. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I yield three minutes to the gentleman from New York, Mr. Lattimer. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from New York is recognized for three minutes. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| Thank you, Madam Ranker. | ||
| My district has over 30,000 small businesses, from restaurants and small grocery stores in New Rochelle to construction companies in Yonkers. | ||
| Every day, I hear from business owners that they need certainty to run their businesses. | ||
| They rely on an immigration system that ensures their employees won't be targeted and unjustly detained on their way to work. | ||
| They rely on trade policies that keep the cost of their products stable. | ||
| And they rely on federal partners who will be there when they need assistance. | ||
| Since taking office, President Trump and SBA Administrator Loeffler have outlined an agenda that will harm small businesses. | ||
| Proposals such as cutting the SBA workforce by 43 percent, relocating SBA officers away from New York City, the center of that region, and firing an independent inspector general does not represent anything that looks like America first. | ||
| It is an ideological agenda, and it's imposed upon the majority of this country that functions differently and requires tailored policies. | ||
| In addition, last week, my home county of Westchester was branded a sanctuary jurisdiction by the Department of Homeland Security completely inaccurately. | ||
| Westchester is not and has never been a sanctuary jurisdiction, and in the last seven years we've reduced violent crime and we have brought economic strength over a period of time that rivals any county in this nation. | ||
| Westchester County cooperates with federal immigration law. | ||
| County law, however, requires that no administrative police can circumvent due process. | ||
| We do this to ensure that all residents will cooperate with local law enforcement. | ||
| Westchester rejects the deep state police that appear masked without badges and proper identification. | ||
| This bill represents an attempt by House Republicans to enact retribution on places because this administration wants to impose its view of law enforcement, deep state authority, not subject to judicial review. | ||
| The result of penny and punitive motives of this bill is that small businesses will suffer. | ||
| You would think that when you offer support for this president's tariff strategy, reckless as it is, it's damaging small businesses, its international goods, components, and supplies. | ||
| They would instead be working to stimulate that, but this bill could not be further from that goal. | ||
| If this bill is passed, SBA offices will be relocated as political payback away from public access in major cities. | ||
| In fact, that is the point, to reduce programs that help small businesses access to capital, professional services, and predictable tariff policies. | ||
| That is why I introduced an amendment to prohibit SBA from relocating an office if the next closest office is more than 50 miles from the communities that were relocated. | ||
| We should be debating legislation that will help small businesses tackle what they identify as their biggest needs, workforce development, stability, and access to counsel. | ||
| That is not what we're doing. | ||
| If we continue on this irrational path, American businesses will suffer. | ||
| The mistakes we are making in this Congress, bill after bill after bill. | ||
| I yield another minute. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentleman recognized. | |
| Thank you. | ||
| The mistakes we are making in this Congress, bill after bill after bill, will damage this nation's strength at a time when we need unity and strength more than ever before. | ||
| I urge my colleagues to vote no on this bill. | ||
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| I yield back my time. | ||
| I reserve. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman reserves. | |
| The gentleman from Texas is recognized. | ||
| Reserve. | ||
| Gentleman from Texas Reserves, the gentleman from New York is recognized. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record two news article about DHA sent to our jurisdiction list removed from the website, given the fact that their local sheriffs were opposed to the list. | ||
| And as well as a third-way article highlighting red state murder rates at 33 percent higher than blue state ones. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Without objection. | |
| Mr. Speaker, I yield three minutes to the gentleman from California, Mr. Sifnero. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from California is recognized for three minutes. | |
| I want to thank the ranking member for her leadership on this issue and in the committee. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, This legislation does not actually address the safety of the SBA. | ||
| Workers are small businesses. | ||
| Because my colleagues on the other side of the aisle disagree with the city's policy, they choose to punish all small businesses in that area. | ||
| Let's be clear. | ||
| This bill strips resources not from cities, but from millions of small businesses and makes it harder for Americans to access assistance to start and grow their businesses. | ||
| Supporting small businesses should not be a partisan issue. | ||
| We in the small business community have heard in our hearings that targeting SBA resources in major cities will be critically detrimental. | ||
| For this reason, at the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to the committee. | ||
| If the House rules permitted, I would have offered this motion with an important amendment to this bill. | ||
| My amendment would prevent the legislation from taking effect until Congress receives reporting from the SBA on the proposed relocation of covered offices, including a justification for how these moves could possibly serve small businesses. | ||
| I ask unanimous consent to insert into the record the text of this amendment. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Without objection. | |
| I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for this motion to recommit. | ||
| I also submitted a separate amendment for consideration that would have prevented the implementation of this bill if the cost of relocating these offices out of Main Street would be more than zero dollars. | ||
| Unfortunately, the Republican majority has blocked my amendment from receiving a floor vote today. | ||
| I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill and to vote in favor of my motion to recommit. | ||
| I yield back. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from New York Reserves. | |
| The gentleman from Texas is recognized. | ||
| The gentleman from Texas. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I yield three minutes to the gentleman from California, Mr. Correa. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from California is recognized for three minutes. | |
| Mr. Speaker, first of all, let me begin by thanking the Chair and the Ranking Member for their interest in good, managed, efficient SBA offices. | ||
| They are federal taxpayer dollars being invested to make sure we continue to create jobs in our great country. | ||
| So that being in mind, I would ask everybody to think about return on investment to taxpayers. | ||
| Orange County, California, my home, today, probably the 30th largest economy in the world, home to Disneyland, Anaheim Angels, 30th largest economy in the world. | ||
| California, it always gets beat up here in this body. | ||
| We just became the fourth largest economy in the world. | ||
| Let me say, we are the fourth largest economy in the world. | ||
| And guess what? | ||
|
Manufacturing Challenges
00:16:09
|
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| As California taxpayers, we pay the federal government $100 billion, $100 billion more in federal tax dollars than we get back from the federal government. | ||
| So I'd say as an economy, we're doing pretty good. | ||
| We need the workers. | ||
| We need workers. | ||
| California has the biggest agricultural sector in the United States. | ||
| We feed ourselves and other states in the Union and other nations. | ||
| 70% of our workforce is guess what? Undocumented. | ||
| And we are waiting for this body to pass immigration reform so good, hardworking individuals can be legalized. | ||
| Manufacturing. | ||
| We have the biggest manufacturing sector in the United States. | ||
| Not Pittsburgh, not Michigan, California, Southern Cal, biggest manufacturing in the United States. | ||
| Guess who most of those workers are? | ||
| Undocumented. | ||
| And they also pay federal taxes. | ||
| SBA. | ||
| Let's evaluate it not on rhetoric, but on how many jobs an SBA office creates. | ||
| What is that investment, that return on the investment? | ||
| I'm not sure why we are doing this today. | ||
| We all know that there are millions and billions of undocumented workers in this country. | ||
| Absolutely, we don't want criminals, hard criminals in our district. | ||
| I don't want them as my neighbors. | ||
| But if they're hardworking, honest individuals, taxpayers, what is wrong with giving them the opportunity to be American, to pursue that American dream, and be legalized? | ||
| That's what America is all about. | ||
| I ask my colleagues to strongly consider their yes vote and please vote no. | ||
| We're talking about federal dollars, taxpayer dollars. | ||
| Thank you very much. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentlewoman reserves. | |
| The gentleman from Texas is recognized. | ||
| The gentleman from Texas reserves. | ||
| The gentlewoman from New York is recognized. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to insert into the record letters of opposition from the Democracy Defenders Action and UNIDOS U.S. and the small business majority. | ||
| All organizations raise concern that the bill will deny small businesses access to critical support. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Without objection. | |
| Mr. Speaker, I have no further speaker and I'm prepared to close. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentlewoman is recognized. | |
| Mr. Speaker, the SBA is supposed to serve American small businesses full stop. | ||
| Not just in certain cities, not just when it's politically convenient, but everywhere for everyone. | ||
| This bill doesn't meet that standard. | ||
| It will rip support away from small businesses in the economic centers of this country because of the political party that runs their city. | ||
| It creates disruption, wastes money, and puts politics ahead of supporting the American economy. | ||
| Politicians love to say that small businesses are the backbone of our economy. | ||
| So I ask, why target millions of them by supporting this bill? | ||
| We should be supporting these businesses, not tearing them down. | ||
| The entrepreneurs I hear from aren't talking about asking for this. | ||
| They're asking for better access to capital, more outreach, and a stable SBA that is there when they need it. | ||
| This bill moves us in the wrong direction. | ||
| I urge my colleagues to vote no, and I yield back the balance of my time. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentlewoman yields back. | |
| The gentleman from Texas is recognized. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman yields. | |
| All time for debate has expired, pursuant to House Resolution 458. | ||
| The previous question is ordered on the bill, as amended. | ||
| The question is on engrossment and third reading of the bill. | ||
| Those in favor say aye. | ||
| Those opposed, no. | ||
| The ayes have it. | ||
| Third reading. | ||
| The bill to direct the administrator of the Small Business Administration to relocate certain offices of the Small Business Administration and sanctuary jurisdictions and for other purposes. | ||
|
unidentified
|
For what purpose does the gentleman from California seek recognition? | |
| Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at the desk. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The clerk will report the motion. | |
| Mr. Cisneros of California moves to recommit the bill H.R. 2931 to the Committee on Small Business. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Pursuant to clause 2B of Rule 19, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. | |
| The question is on the motion. | ||
| All those in favor say aye. | ||
| Aye. | ||
| Those opposed say no. | ||
| The ayes, no's have it. | ||
| The motion is not agreed. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I ask for the yays and nays. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The yays and nays are requested. | |
| Those favoring a vote by the yays and nays will rise. | ||
| A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. | ||
| pursuant to Clause 8 of Rule 20. | ||
| Further proceedings on the question will be postponed. | ||
| For what purpose does the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Williams, seek recognition? | ||
| Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 458, I call up H.R. 2987 and ask for its immediate consideration in the House. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The clerk will report the title of the bill. | |
| Union Calendar No. 79, H.R. 2987, a bill to amend the Small Business Act to require a limit on the number of small businesses lending companies and for other purposes. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Pursuant to House Resolution 458, their amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Small Business printed in the bill is adopted and the bill, as amended, is considered red. | |
| The bill, as amended, shall be debatable for one hour, equally divided and controlled by the chair and ranking minority member of the Committee on Small Business or their respective designees. | ||
| The gentleman from Texas, Mr. Williams, and the gentlewoman from New York, Mrs. Velasquez, each will control 30 minutes. | ||
| The chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas, Mr. Williams. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members may have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and submit extraneous materials on the bill under consideration. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Without objection. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I yield myself such time as I may consume. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentlemen may proceed. | |
| As recognized. | ||
| Okay. | ||
| I rise today in support of H.R. 2987. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman is recognized. | |
| I rise today. | ||
| You ready? | ||
| Okay. | ||
| I rise today in support of H.R. 2987, the CEAS Act, introduced by Representative Bresnahan. | ||
| This bill is simply a reversal of an irresponsible change made by the Biden administration's SBA, which raised concerns on both sides of the aisle. | ||
| Unlike traditional community banks, small business lending companies or SBLCs are regulated by the SBA. | ||
| Historically, the SBA recognized that they had finite resources to conduct oversight of the SBLCs, reinforcing the need for a cap on the number of SBLCs. | ||
| Now, despite this, the 2023, the Biden administration lifted the 40-year moratorium on licensing the SBLCs to participate in its flagship 7A program, a government-backed lending program. | ||
| Now, the SBA heard concerns from members from both chambers on both sides of the aisle. | ||
| Even the ranking member, Ms. Velasquez, said earlier this week during the Rules Committee hearing that she was one of the first to raise questions about the SBA lifted the licensing moratorium. | ||
| Biden's SBA hid behind promises of lender oversight and stronger borrower protection, yet still awarded a license to an unqualified entity. | ||
| This entity, which was seeking to sell its business when it was rewarded a license, ultimately surrendered its license before it could even make a 7A loan. | ||
| So this legislation puts the guardrails back and restores integrity to the 7-A program, ensuring taxpayer dollars are safe. | ||
| I'm confident that the 16 SBLCs can and will be overseen effectively under Administrator Leffler's leadership. | ||
| I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill and I reserve the balance of my time. | ||
|
unidentified
|
General Reserves. | |
| The gentleman from New York is recognized. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong opposition to H.R. 2987, the so-called Cap-in-Excessive Awarding of SBLC Entrance Act, or the CIS Act. | ||
| This bill will impose a permanent statutory cap on the number of small business lending companies or SBLC licenses the SBA can issue, limiting them to just 16. | ||
| While I understand and share some of the concerns raised about how the SBA has handled oversight of these licenses, I cannot support legislation that is rushed, vague, and potentially harmful to the very businesses we are supposed to be helping. | ||
| Let's take a step back. | ||
| For more than 40 years, the SBA maintained a moratorium on new SBLC licenses, citing a lack of resources to properly supervise new entrants. | ||
| That changed in 2023 when the agency finalized a new rule lifting the moratorium and began issuing additional licenses to expand participation in the 7-A loan program. | ||
| The goal was to help fill lending gaps, particularly in underserved communities that have historically struggled to access capital. | ||
| That is a goal that I support, but I also believe it should be done carefully with the right oversight in place. | ||
| I raised questions about the SBA's rollout of this policy when it first proposed the rule. | ||
| I flagged concerns about whether the agency had the capacity to supervise these lenders effectively. | ||
| And I called for transparency and clarity every step of the way. | ||
| So I am not here to defend the SBA process blindly, but H.R. 2987 doesn't actually fix the oversight issues. | ||
| It just slaps an arbitrary cap on the program without addressing the real questions. | ||
| How to improve accountability, how to expand access responsibly, and how to ensure these programs are helping the businesses that need it the most. | ||
| What is worse, the bill is completely silent on how this cap would apply to the Community Advantage Program, a critical SBA initiative that helps make smaller dollar loans available to startups, veterans, rural entrepreneurs, and other underserved borrowers. | ||
| Since being transitioned into the SBLC framework, community advantage lenders have continued to show strong results. | ||
| Last year alone, the program issued over 1,100 loans worth nearly $200 million with an average loan size of just $175,000. | ||
| These are the kinds of loans that traditional banks often will not make because they are not profitable, but they are exactly what many small businesses need to get off the ground. | ||
| By leaving out an exemption for mission-based CA lenders from the CAP, this bill opened the door for this or a future administration to freeze new licenses or even eliminate the CA SBLCs altogether. | ||
| That is a concern we have heard directly from lenders, community organizations, and small business advocates around the country. | ||
| These are the very lenders we rely on to help target PPP assistance to the smallest of small businesses during the global pandemic. | ||
| They met the moment for many small employers in our communities who were locked out of the first rounds of PPP assistance. | ||
| At a time when small businesses are facing rising costs, tariff uncertainty, and tightening credit, Congress should be doing everything it can to expand access to capital, not pulling back on programs that are actually working. | ||
| That is why I cannot support this bill in its current form. | ||
| Thank you, and I reserve my time. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentleman from New York Reserves, the gentleman from Texas is recognized. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| I yield Representative Bresnahan from the great state of Pennsylvania such time as he may consume. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Bresnahan, is recognized. | |
| Thank you, Mr. Speaker. | ||
| My bill, the capping excessive awarding of SBLC Entrance Act, or the CEAS Act, restores a vital piece of integrity to the flagship SBA 7A loan program. | ||
| The Small Business Administration is authorized to issue government-backed 7A loans through certified depository institutions like banks, credit unions, as well as certified non-bank lenders like fintech companies. | ||
| Unlike certified depository institutions whose primary regulator is the Federal Reserve, the non-bank SBLCs are primarily regulated by the SBA, meaning they are not subject to the same regulations and requirements. | ||
| Together, the limited number of SBLCs and prudent lending standards that are used to be in place at the SBA were necessary guardrails to ensure the 7A program remained zero subsidy, costing taxpayers zero. | ||
| The SBA had its own concerns that it did not have the oversight capabilities to monitor and regulate an unlimited number of SBLCs, yet the Biden-Harris administration sought to expand the number of SBLC licenses while also lowering lending standards and loosening underwriting criteria in the 7A program. | ||
| The previous administration did this even though those SBLCs facilitated massive fraud of the PayTech Protection Program. | ||
| Expanding SBLCs licenses when the SBA itself acknowledged that it is unequipped to regulate additional for-profit non-bank lenders is problematic. | ||
| That is why my legislation is so important to ensure the SBA is not adding excessive SBLCs that it cannot properly regulate. | ||
| We cannot continue giving the federal government ways to abuse taxpayer dollars. | ||
| I thank the Trump administration for taking swift action and returning prudent lending standards to the 7A program. | ||
| Combined with the CEAS Act, those efforts will return the SBA to its proper oversight capabilities and ensure that federally regulated lenders, such as community banks, remain a fundamental pillar of 7A lending. | ||
|
Hr. 2987 Moratorium Discussion
00:01:35
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|
unidentified
|
The bill was thoughtfully drafted to encompass the original 14 SBLCs and two additional SBLCs licensed in 2024 after the Biden error rule changed. | |
| No existing SBLC licenses would be revoked as part of this bill. | ||
| I thank the great members and staff of the Small Business Committee for working with me for bringing this bill to the House floor today. | ||
| I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote yes on this practical and sensible piece of legislation. | ||
| Thank you, and I yield back. | ||
| Gentleman from Texas Reserves, the gentlewoman from New York is recognized. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I yield five minutes to the gentlelady from Minnesota, Ms. Morrison. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentlewoman is recognized for five minutes. | |
| Thank you, Ranking Member Velasquez. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss H.R. 2987, the CEAS Act, which would place a statutory moratorium on the number of small business lending company licenses that can be issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration. | ||
| What does this bill do? | ||
| Cap the number of SBA 7A non-bank lenders who can give loans to America's small businesses, a reasonable endeavor that could have generated bipartisan support had there been any effort by the majority to engage in a thoughtful discussion with us. | ||
| Since there was no such engagement, this bill does nothing to protect the hugely successful Community Advantage program. | ||
| Community Advantaged small business lending companies provide loans to small businesses located in underserved and rural communities, to new businesses, and to veteran-owned small businesses. | ||
|
Small Businesses Under Siege
00:04:01
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| For far too long, far too many people in our country have not been able to access capital and participate in the American dream of starting a business, creating jobs, and growing our economy. | ||
| The Small Business Administration plays a critical role in providing capital to our small businesses. | ||
| The Community Advantage Program has a demonstrated track record of helping entrepreneurs who face higher barriers to accessing capital grow and scale their businesses. | ||
| And this is exactly what we should be doing, opening more doors for more Americans to start a business, create jobs in their community, and strengthen their local economy. | ||
| So my question to my Republican colleagues is: without providing protections for community-advantaged small business lending companies in the text of this bill, are you suggesting we eliminate this crucial program? | ||
| Why would you threaten to remove a way for veteran-owned small businesses to access capital? | ||
| What is your message to American entrepreneurs looking to access that first loan that could help turn their best ideas into a new small business? | ||
| And let's just take a step back here. | ||
| Right now, small businesses across the country are ringing the alarm bell saying that the tariff wars are going to put them out of business in a matter of weeks or months. | ||
| Just this past week, we heard from Minnesota's small business person of the year given the award by the Trump administration, who says she has six weeks until she goes out of business. | ||
| These are successful small businesses, small businesses that were thriving, growing, expanding, until President Trump started this completely unnecessary, completely chaotic trade war, setting exorbitant tariffs as high as 145 percent, changing policies haphazardly, at times literally by the hour. | ||
| No one can run a business with that level of uncertainty. | ||
| And our small businesses are getting hit the hardest. | ||
| They can't plan for the future. | ||
| They don't have the luxury of time. | ||
| The threat is here right now. | ||
| And they certainly don't have the resources to personally lobby the present like the massive tech companies that got exemptions did. | ||
| President Trump's so-called tariff policy is literally killing our small businesses. | ||
| And Congress has the power to stop it. | ||
| Article 1 of the Constitution, it's right there. | ||
| Congress has the power to levy tariffs. | ||
| But what is the Republican majority doing? | ||
| Ceding all their power to this president and completely disregarding their constitutional duty and the outcries from small business owners who are warning us they will have to close their doors in a matter of weeks if this tariff war doesn't end. | ||
| The three bills the Republicans are choosing to bring to the floor this week have nothing to do with the existential threat that these tariffs are posing to our nation's small businesses. | ||
| The lack of courage to stand up for our nation's small businesses, to stand by and watch their downfall, is shameful. | ||
| We should be passing legislation to end this tariff war and save our small businesses. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I yield. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentlewoman from New York Reserves, the gentleman from Texas is recognized. | |
| Gentleman from Texas Reserves, the gentlewoman from New York is recognized. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I yield five minutes to the gentlelady from California, Ms. Tu. | ||
|
unidentified
|
She is recognized for five minutes. | |
| I rise in strong opposition to H.R. 2987, the SEAS Act, because it has the potential to harm our nation's most underserved small businesses. | ||
| This bill would cap the number of small business lending companies or SBLC licenses that the SBA can issue at its current level of 16 licenses. | ||
| These licenses enable lenders to make loans of up to $5 million to small businesses that we know often struggle to secure financing from traditional banks. | ||
|
Bipartisan Concerns Unaddressed
00:08:12
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| If Republicans want to find a solution to bipartisan concerns about SBA's capacity to oversee an increased number of licenses, Democrats would have been happy to work together on this. | ||
| But unfortunately, this bill fails to address our serious concerns about how it could devastate opportunities for capital access for the small businesses that need SBA's help the most. | ||
| Specifically, this bill is completely silent about how this cap on licenses would impact community advantage SBLCs. | ||
| We know that one of small businesses' greatest challenges is obtaining access to financial capital. | ||
| And for over a decade now, the Community Advantage Program has been helping close this funding gap for underserved businesses who face this challenge disproportionately, like rural, veteran, and low-income small business owners. | ||
| I will never forget visiting one of these businesses in Santa Monica, California. | ||
| It was a salad-based restaurant owned by two young Hispanic men who had this dream of expanding their restaurant. | ||
| But they were turned away by every traditional bank due to a lack of assets and credit history. | ||
| Finally, they were able to get a $250,000 Community Advantage loan, and now they have six of these restaurants. | ||
| It was a relatively modest sum, but $250,000 was what it took to make these small business owners successful. | ||
| And that is why I have long believed in Community Advantage. | ||
| But it was operating only as a pilot program, and that is why I sponsored a bill to make it permanent. | ||
| This bipartisan bill has passed out of the House, but the Senate did not take it up. | ||
| Great relief, however, came in 2023 when the SBA established by rule the Community Advantage SBLC program to provide long-term assurance for the program and lenders. | ||
| Since then, there's been great progress. | ||
| 143 lenders have registered as Community Advantage SBLCs, and in 2024 alone, these lenders have already issued 1,100 loans totaling $196 million to the most underserved small businesses with an average loan size of $160,000. | ||
| Congress needs to build on these efforts by providing statutory permanency for community advantage, but the bill before us today goes in the opposite direction, potentially threatening the future of community advantage SBLCs because it makes no mention of how these licenses would be impacted by the statutory cap. | ||
| Congress must ensure that our most underserved small businesses have the resources they need to not just survive, but to grow. | ||
| That's why I will reintroduce the Community Advantage Loan Program Act, which will give permanent authorization to this program. | ||
| I urge my colleagues to support our nation's veteran, rural, and low-income entrepreneurs by voting no on this bill, and I yield back. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentlewoman in Reserves and the gentleman from Texas is recognized. | |
| Reserved. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentleman from Texas Reserves. | |
| The gentleman from New York is recognized. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. | ||
| I'm prepared to close. | ||
|
unidentified
|
The gentleman is recognized. | |
| Mr. Speaker, I am not opposed to oversight. | ||
| I am not opposed to having a real conversation about the future of SBA programs, but I am opposed to legislation that leaves key questions unanswered and puts proven programs in jeopardy. | ||
| The Community Advantage Program and the CA SBLCs have been a lifeline for thousands of small businesses, particularly in rural areas and for unbanked businesses. | ||
| They fill the gap that traditional lenders and larger 7A lenders want. | ||
| Small and new businesses often require small dollar loans, not million-dollar loans. | ||
| They simply need enough capital to get their business off the ground or finance modest expansions. | ||
| That is why the CA SBLC lenders are so critical to growing our small business ecosystem. | ||
| The CA lenders have had bipartisan support for years. | ||
| So why are my colleagues so afraid to include a provision of congressional intent to protect them from the CAP? | ||
| I just don't get it. | ||
| You know, the Small Business Committee have always worked in a bipartisan manner. | ||
| And here we are, a proven program that has had bipartisan support. | ||
| And the Republicans, with this legislation, will put an end to CBA CA SBLC. | ||
| We should be working together to support and expand the CA SBLC program, not passing vague bills that threaten to cut it off. | ||
| At a time when small businesses need more capital, more support, and more stability, this bill moves us in the wrong direction. | ||
| In sum, I oppose H.R. 2987 because it will not protect the Community Advantage Program, which has a solid track record of providing smaller dollar loans to thousands of women, veterans, rural, and underserved entrepreneurs. | ||
| At the appropriate time, I will offer a motion to recommit this bill back to the committee. | ||
| If the House rules permit, I will have offered the motion with an important amendment to this bill. | ||
| My amendment will ensure the requirements of the bill should not apply to Community Advantage SBLC. | ||
| And two, prohibits implementation of the bill until the administrator certifies to Congress that 7A loan originations will not decrease to unbank small business borrowers operating in rural or low-income markets. | ||
| I ask unanimous consent to insert into the record the text of this amendment. | ||
| I hope my colleagues will join me in voting for the motion to recommit and vote no on H.R. 2987. | ||
| Thank you, and I yield back. | ||
|
unidentified
|
Gentlewoman yields. | |
| The gentleman from Texas is recognized. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. | ||
|
unidentified
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Gentleman yields. | |
| All time for debate has expired. | ||
| Persuade to House Resolution 458. | ||
| Previous question is ordered on the bill as amended. | ||
| The question is on engrossment and third reading of the bill. | ||
| Those in favor say aye. | ||
| Those opposed? | ||
| No. | ||
| The ayes have it. | ||
| Third reading. | ||
| A bill to amend the Small Business Act to require a limit on the number of small business lending companies and for other purposes. | ||
|
unidentified
|
For what purpose does the gentlewoman from New York seek recognition? | |
| Mr. Speaker, I have a motion to recommit at this. | ||
|
unidentified
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The clerk will report the motion. | |
| Ms. Velazquez of New York moves to recommit the bill H.R. 2987 to the Committee on Small Business. | ||
|
unidentified
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Pursuant to clause 2B of Rule 19, the previous question is ordered on the motion to recommit. | |
| The question is on the motion. | ||
| All those in favor say aye. | ||
| Aye. | ||
| Those opposed say no. | ||
| The no's have it. | ||
| Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeast and nays. | ||
|
unidentified
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Gentlewoman is recognized. | |
| The yays and nays are requested. | ||
| Those favoring a vote for the yays and nays will rise. | ||
| A sufficient number having risen, the yeas and nays are ordered. | ||
| Pursuant to clause 8 of Rule 20, further proceedings on this question will be postponed. | ||