U.S. House of Representatives U.S. House of Representatives
The U.S. House fast-tracks four bipartisan bills under Rule 20 suspensions: H.R. 3496 (CNMI Small Business Access Act) expands SBA microloans to 56 states/territories, offering up to $50K at low rates to revive tourism-dependent businesses; H.R. 5763 (Main Street Parity Act) cuts 504 loan equity requirements from 15–20% to 10% for properties like nursing homes, citing 30 years of risk data; H.R. 5788 mandates annual risk analyses for the SBA’s 504 program, mirroring transparency in the 7A loans, after $400B in financing and 3.3M jobs created since 1986; H.R. 5784 (AI-WISE) and H.R. 5764 (AI for Main Street Act) push SBA-backed AI adoption for small businesses, balancing innovation with oversight on bias, discrimination, and cybersecurity risks. These reforms aim to bolster entrepreneurship while safeguarding taxpayer-backed programs amid economic shifts. [Automatically generated summary]
We will work something out where NATO is going to be very happy and where we're going to be very happy.
But we need it for security purposes.
We need it for national security and even world security.
unidentified
It's very important.
How about it?
Thank you very much.
First of all, last year you told me that you believe that the Weezing you won election is because God put you in this place so that you can save the world.
Looking back one year, do you feel like God is proud of the effort that you've placed?
Union calendar number 350, H.R. 3496, a bill to amend the Small Business Act for microloan eligibility for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and for other purposes.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 3496, the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act.
This bill was introduced by Delegate King Hines and Representative Conaway.
The SBA microloan program provides entrepreneurs with access to small dollar loans that will qualify through intermediary lenders.
Sometimes entrepreneurs do not need to access large sums of capital for their operations, but whereas the SBA microplan program can help, entrepreneurs get just enough capital to meet their exact needs.
Under current law, the SBA appropriations microloan program funding to intermediaries in 55 states and territories, and unfortunately the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is excluded.
This creates unnecessary barriers for small businesses in the Northern Mariana Islands by limiting opportunities for local entrepreneurship and economic growth.
H.R. 3496 fixes this oversight and ensures that the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands is included within the geographic scope of the SBA microloan program, increasing the number of states and territories eligible to receive microloan program funding from 55 to 56.
Expanding eligibility for the microloan program will help spur entrepreneurship, strengthen local economies, and ensure that small businesses in all states and territories have a fair opportunity to grow.
So I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3496, and I reserve the balance of my time.
I rise in support of H.R. 3496, the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Act.
This is a straightforward but important bill that expands access to SBA microloan program to small businesses in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
These small businesses face unique challenges as geographic isolation leads to higher costs for goods and services, and their economy is heavily reliant on tourism, which can ebb and flow with the economy and natural disasters.
Having access to affordable credit gives small businesses the ability to weather the storms and economic uncertainty and fully prepare for the next opportunity.
The extension of the microloan program to CNMI will be critical to support business growth, create jobs, and stimulate the local economy.
I have long supported efforts to ensure that territories have full access to SBA products and services.
In previous Congresses, I worked with then Representative Sablan to establish an SBDC center in CNMI, and I also worked to ensure that CNMI have access to the microloan program as part of a more comprehensive bill.
Unfortunately, the bill to improve the microloan program was not enacted into law.
I am glad to be working across the aisle again to make sure territory receives full access to SBA services.
I urge members to support this important bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 3496, as amended the Northern Mariana Islands Small Business Access Act.
This bill would include my district, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Small Business Administration's microloan program.
The microloan program issues loans of $50,000 or less at low interest rates to help small businesses that may be unable to access capital elsewhere, grow their businesses, or create jobs.
Since the program became operational in 1992, it has issued over 69,000 loans, totaling over $900 million and supported over 250,000 American jobs.
Despite the program's impressive impact for Americans across the country, the Northern Mariana Islands is the only state or territory not explicitly included under the law.
This bill would simply add the CNMI to be eligible for the program alongside every other territory.
The CNMI is currently facing an economic crisis following the collapse of our primary industry, which is tourism.
Local small businesses are struggling to get approved for affordable loans, in part because of this economic uncertainty.
Gaining access to this program could help local entrepreneurs make the investments they need to help put our economy on more solid footing.
I thank my co-lead on the bill, Representative Conway, for his steadfast support, as well as Representative Cisneros and Goodlander for also co-sponsoring this legislation.
I'd also like to thank Chairman Williams and Ranking Member Velasquez for their support and help in bringing this bill to the floor.
Again, my bill simply adds my district to the microloan program that is already available to all other Americans.
I urge all of my colleagues to support this bipartisan common sense no-cost bill.
And I want to thank you again, Madam Speaker, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 3496 to bring access to capital for small businesses in the Northern Mariana Islands, and I yield back.
Union calendar number 354, H.R. 5763, a bill to amend the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to modify the criteria for loans for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion, and for other purposes.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, and I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extra annihilation material on the bill.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of my bill, H.R. 5763, the Main Street Parity Act.
I would also like to thank my friend Representative Simon from the great state of California for joining me and co-leading this bipartisan effort.
The SBA's 504 loan program is an important tool that helps small businesses obtain affordable financing for the acquisition of fixed assets such as land, buildings, and heavy machinery.
To obtain a 504 loan, a small business owner must contribute 10 percent of the total project cost as a form of down payment.
However, if a small business is seeking financing to build something like a surgery center or a nursing home, the SBA imposes additional equity requirements because these properties are deemed limited purpose.
This initial equity injection was required because limited purpose properties were believed to be at a higher risk of default.
Years of data show that this assumption is incorrect.
And in fact, many businesses facing these increased costs were at a lower risk of default than the broader 504 portfolio.
So it's time to bring parity to Main Street and remove the unnecessary lender barriers based on outdated assumptions.
I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 5763, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5763, the Main Street Parity Act.
One of the key functions of the SBA is to ensure that small businesses in communities across the country have access to the capital they need to grow and scale their operations.
The SBA has long served this need through its loan guarantee programs, including the 504 CDC program.
The 504 CDC program supports small businesses in accessing capital for the development of major fixed assets like land, buildings, equipment, and machinery.
As part of the program, loans are guaranteed for so-called special use properties like amusement parks, car washes, bowling alleys, and gas stations.
When the special use designation was created in 1996, Congress required businesses developing these properties to pay a special purpose penalty.
The penalty requires these businesses to provide at least 15 to 20 percent equity instead of the minimum 10 percent for standard 504 CDC loans.
While the additional equity requirement serves an important safeguard for the program when first enacted, we have seen over time that the extra risk is not as great as anticipated.
In the past 30 years, technological developments and time has shown that many of these properties can be successfully repurposed for alternative uses, increasing the market pool of potential buyers.
Further, the chart-of rates for special purpose and standard loans are similar, demonstrating that these loans pose no greater risk than regular 504 loans.
Because of its limited risk, the special use penalty is no longer necessary.
H.R. 5763 reduces the minimum equity requirement for special purpose properties to at least 10%, in line with the requirement for standard 504 CDC loans.
Most importantly, it maintains discretionary authority to require higher equity if deemed necessary.
This bill is supported by the National Association of Development Companies.
I applaud Chairman Williams and Representative Simon's bipartisan work on this issue, and I ask all my colleagues to support it.
And I want to thank Representative Velasquez for your support, particularly for freshman members from the Democratic side on the Small Business Committee, and to Representative Chair Williams for your collaboration on this bill.
I'm extremely proud to lead the Main Street Parity Act with Chair Williams.
As members of the Small Business Committee, I would say one of the most bipartisan committees in the 119th Congress, we hear the same messages repeated every single day.
Small businesses don't need special treatment.
In fact, they're just asking for a fair shot in this economy.
The SBA's 504 loan program is designed to provide that fair shot through basic, basic, good policy, affordable, long-term financing.
The financing helps small businesses buy buildings, buy property, expand operations, and employ Main Street neighbors throughout our community.
Streamline AI Support for Small Businesses00:10:57
But the current law, not all small businesses are treated the same.
Owners of so-called small-purpose properties are required to put up significantly more cash up front, often 5 to 10 percent more than standard property owners.
And those include places like bowling alleys and wash houses and marinas and funeral homes and recreation centers.
These are the kind of small businesses that serve local families and create jobs and keep our communities vibrant.
For many entrepreneurs, the higher equity requirement is the difference between jumping in headfirst and creating new economic opportunities for their communities and families or walking away entirely.
The way of doing business just doesn't reflect our current economic technological realities.
This bill offers a new opportunity for Americans across the country to step forward.
The Main Street Parity Act is common sense.
It's a clear fix that brings these loans in line with the 504 standardization programs by setting an equity requirement at 10 percent.
I would encourage members from both sides of the aisle to put small business owners and their employees first by supporting this bill, and I will yield back.
Union calendar number 351, H.R. 5764, a bill to amend the Small Business Act to require small businesses' development centers to assist small business concerns with the use of artificial intelligence and for other purposes.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extra announcement material on the bill.
Without objection.
Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may concern.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5764, the AI for Main Street Act introduced by Representative Alford and Schulton.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to streamline operations, reduce costs, and boost productivity for small businesses.
But for many small businesses across the country, adopting these tools remains out of reach because they lack the staff, the expertise, or the capital to do so.
The AI for Main Street Act helps address this challenge by directing the SBA Small Business Development Centers, or SBDCs, to assist small businesses in developing AI technologies into their operations.
These centers operate in partnership with universities and community colleges across the country and are trusted advisors to local entrepreneurs.
This approach bills on work already underway.
In September 24, America's SBDCs, in partnership with Google, launched America SBDC AIU, which provides hands-on AI training, clinics, and technical assistance to small businesses.
This bill builds on the effort by requiring the SBDC network to have a core duty to assist entrepreneurs nationwide in fighting AI in their businesses.
As artificial intelligence becomes a core driver of productivity and competitiveness, Main Street cannot be left behind.
I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5764, the AI for Main Street Act.
I'm pleased to support the AI for Main Street Act, which would allow SBDCs to assist small business owners on how to evaluate artificial intelligence.
I commend Mr. Alford and Ms. Scotton for working together on this bipartisan legislation.
AI has the potential to boost productivity, enhance customer service, and save costs.
And while it is becoming increasingly common for small businesses to use AI to streamline their operations, many still do not have access to it responsibly.
But if we use incorrectly, AI could have disastrous consequences.
That is why it is incredibly important for SBA and its entrepreneurial ecosystem to help small businesses understand the potential pitfalls and learn how to avoid them.
I am pleased to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
I rise today in strong support of our AI for Main Street Act, and I want to thank Chairman Williams for his leadership and my colleagues on the other side of the aisle, foremost Ranking Member Velasquez for her leadership, and Congresswoman Hillary Schulton for working with me to bring this important bill forward.
A lot of people are talking about AI these days.
Will it overtake America?
Will it put business owners and workers out of business?
This bill is designed to get ahead of that, to make sure that that does not happen.
In fact, to increase businesses in America.
This committee, you know, exists for one simple reason, and that is to champion Main Street.
The small businesses that line our town squares, that power our farms, support our hospitals, and employ nearly half of the American workforce.
And right now, Main Street stands at the doorstep of a major transformation because the AI revolution is not just coming.
It's already here.
Whether it's managing inventory, scheduling workers, marketing products, improving cybersecurity, streamlining paperwork, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming how business gets done in America.
And if small businesses do not have the tools and guidance to adapt to that, if they're fearful of it, they risk getting left behind, getting left behind by larger competitors with bigger budgets and in-house tech teams.
And by the way, they're also using AI.
Well, that's exactly what this bill addresses.
The AI for Main Street Act directs small business development centers, SBDCs, to provide counseling, training, and outreach to help small businesses safely evaluate and adopt artificial intelligence tools.
These centers already serve as trusted boots on the ground, advisors in communities across the country, like Columbia, the University of Missouri, like in Sedelia, and other places where these SBDCs are providing real help, real boots on the ground.
Entrepreneurs rely on them for practical guidance and real-world help that works for their businesses.
This bill builds on existing efforts like America's SBDC IAU program and ensures that AI support is consistent, accessible, and nationwide, not just in major metro areas, but in rural towns, manufacturing hubs, and agricultural communities like those I represent in Missouri's 4th Congressional District.
And just as importantly, this bill emphasizes responsible adoption.
We want small business owners to understand not only what AI can do, but how to use it securely and safely and ethically and effectively.
This is not about replacing people.
It is about empowering people.
It's about giving a family-owned business the same opportunity to compete and grow and innovate as a Fortune 500 company.
I am proud of this legislation and how it advanced out of committee with bipartisan support, strong bipartisan support.
I appreciate the strong backing from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle who recognize that innovation and small business growth should never be partisan issues.
H.R. 5788: Transparency for Small Business Loans00:15:40
At the end of the day, when Main Street succeeds, America succeeds.
The AI for Main Street Act helps ensure that our entrepreneurs are not spectators in the next wave of innovation, but our small business owners are leaders in this revolution.
I commend the sponsors for working together on this important legislation to provide small businesses with the training they need, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Union Calendar No. 352, H.R. 5788, a bill to amend Title V of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 to require an annual portfolio risk analysis of loans guaranteed under such title and for other purposes.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5788, the 504 Program Risk Oversight Act, introduced by Representatives Tran and Petronas.
This bipartisan piece of legislation would give Congress greater accountability and oversight of the SBA's 504 loan program by requiring the SBA to provide Congress and the public with annual data-driven assessments of the 504 loan portfolio.
The 504 program is an incredibly important tool that helps small businesses obtain long-term fixed-rate financing, like the acquisition of fixed assets such as land, buildings, and heavy machinery.
In fiscal year 2025, the program supported $7.8 billion in loans to small businesses nationwide.
Specifically, H.R. 5788 would require the SBA to provide Congress with annual reports on the health of the 504 loan portfolio.
This would include an analysis of any risk to the program broken down by multiple data points, including industry concentration, loan age, and gross dollar amount.
These reports would be made available to the Republic within seven days of being provided to Congress.
So the transparency measures in this bill are particularly important in light of the House passage of my bill, H.R. 3174, the Made in America Finance Act, which raised the loan limit for American manufacturers under the SBA's 7A and 504 loan programs to $10 million.
I hope it will quickly move through the Senate and to President Trump's desk.
H.R. 5788 marks a critical step toward identifying and mitigating risk early, strengthening the long-term viability and affordability of the 504 loan program, and ensuring continued support for the American entrepreneurs.
With that, I urge my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 5788, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the bill before us today, H.R. 5788, the 504 Program Risk Oversight Act.
Transparency is key to ensuring the proper operation and functioning of the SBA lending programs, including the 504 CDC program.
And this bill will give our committee the information necessary to carry out our oversight authority.
Federal law requires the SBA Office of Credit Risk Management to conduct an annual portfolio risk analysis of the SBA flagship 7A loan program and provide Congress with a detailed report of the results.
This report has been crucial in Committee Democrats' investigation into the rising default levels in the 7A program and has helped us respond accordingly.
Unfortunately, no statutory reporting requirements exist for the 504 CDC loan program.
H.R. 5788 will fix that by adding a requirement that the SBA conduct an annual risk analysis of the 504 CDC program and provide Congress with the results.
Tailored to the 504 CDC program's unique features, the report will provide Congress with many of the same data points it currently provides on the 7A program.
But the bill also requires several new data points to improve our stewardship of the program.
While loan defaults aren't currently a concern for the 504 program, this bill will provide Congress with valuable information needed to monitor the program's operation, guard against future risk, and ensure the program's zero subsidy requirement is maintained.
I applaud Representatives Tran and Petronis for their work on this bill, which is supported by the National Association of Development Companies.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5788, the 504 Program Risk Oversight Act, bipartisan legislation that strengthens one of SBA's most successful financing programs.
For decades, the SBA's 504 loan program has been a cornerstone of economic development in communities across America.
Through public and private partnership with certified development companies, the 504 program helps small businesses grow, create jobs, and invest in their communities.
Since its inception in 1986, the program has provided approximately $400 billion in total project financing and created over 3.3 million jobs.
In California alone, that translates to $95 billion in total capital and the creation of over 715,000 good-paying jobs.
For entrepreneurs in California 45th District and across the nation, the 504 loan program's unique motto provides them with access to long-term, fixed-rate financing to help them expand operations, purchase property, and make lasting investments in their local economy.
In Orange County and LA County alone, the 504 program has injected more than $27 billion into local businesses and helped create over 175,000 jobs over the last 25 years.
My bipartisan bill, the 504 Program Risk Oversight Act, builds on that success by ensuring that all partners, the SBA, Congress, and industry, have access to clear, consistent, and transparent data about the health of the program.
Currently, SBA is not required to conduct an annual risk analysis of the 504 loan program and provide Congress with any performance data.
My bill addresses this problem and requires the SBA to conduct an annual risk assessment of the 504 program and provide Congress with detailed insights into overall health of the program and information needed to strengthen program performance.
Transparent data is the cornerstone of a productive partnership between the SBA, Congress, and industry and the work we do collectively to keep the 504 program healthy for future generations of entrepreneurs.
Now more than ever, small businesses need what the 504 loan program provides, certainly an affordability, affordable patient capital.
I'm proud to lead this bill and I want to thank my colleague, Representative Jimmy Petronas, for his partnership in co-leading this important piece of legislation with me and of course the Ranking Member Vasquez and Chair Williams.
This would not be possible without your leadership.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
I again want to applaud Representatives Tran and Petronis for their bipartisan work on this bill and I encourage all my colleagues to vote yes and I yield back the balance of my time.
Thank you Madam Speaker and H.R. 5788 provides transparency to the SBA's 504 loan program, a key program that promotes job creation and small business growth.
I urge my colleagues to support this legislation and I yield back.
Union Calendar No. 353, H.R. 5784, a bill to amend the Small Business Act to help small businesses' concerns critically evaluate artificial intelligence tools and for other purposes.
Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5784, the Artificial Intelligence Wisdom for Innovative Small Entrepreneurs Act, and the AI-WISE Act.
This bipartisan bill is led by Representative Scolton and Downing.
Artificial intelligence is changing how businesses operate in real time.
And while large corporations can afford expensive consultants in trial and experimentation, many small businesses do not have the luxury to do that.
And for a small business owner like myself, every dollar matters.
The AI WISE Act helps bridge that gap.
This bill directs the SBA to provide a clear, accessible, and practical guidance that helps small businesses' owners understand artificial intelligence in straightforward terms.
It focuses on helping entrepreneurs evaluate whether an artificial intelligence tool is useful for their specific business, where it may fall short, and whether it is truly worth the cost they spend in their money to get that.
Importantly, this bill does all of this without authorizing any new spending.
It builds on existing programs, avoids picking winners and losers, and keeps the Federal Government focused on providing information, not mandates.
And I urge my colleagues to support this common sense byparse legislation and vote yes on H.R. 5784.
Four years ago, AI burst into mainstream, focused with the launch of OpenAI's ChatGPT.
When I first tried this tool, I was shocked.
I knew then and there that AI had the potential to revolutionize the way American firms operate and do business.
But AI, like all emerging technology, comes with risks.
AI outputs are prone to bias, discrimination, misinformation, and omissions.
Safety and cybersecurity vulnerabilities can render AI deployers open to adversarial attacks.
And we do not even fully know this risk because we cannot predict AI's trajectory, so new risks could come up as it evolves and adds capabilities.
We have all seen reports of Gen AI gone wrong, with episodes ranging from customer service chatbots at car dealerships offering to sell pickup trucks for $1 to general purpose chatbots advising small businesses to break the law.
In other words, a small business using a flawed AI model risks steep reputational and legal harm.
Many of these incidents are attributable simply to AI's current technological immaturity and the growing pains that come with its ongoing revolution.
This is why AI literacy is crucial for small businesses to keep up with their larger competitors considering and adopting AI.
The AI-WISE Act will direct SBA to create online AI literacy resources for entrepreneurs so they have the tools to make sound choices on AI adoption and use.
It will also direct the SBA to keep the resources updated on innovations in AI technology through an expert working group.
Finally, the bill will allow the SBA resource partners to develop specialized and localized assistants to best educate their communities.
I thank my colleagues, Ms. Colton and Mr. Downing, for collaborating over the last two years to bring this bill to the floor.
Furthermore, let me convey my gratitude to Chairman Williams, his staff director, Lauren Holmes, and all the floor staff for seeing this bill through today.
It is greatly appreciated.
With that, I urge members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
I rise in strong support of H.R. 5784, the AIWISE Act.
This legislation will provide essential resources for small businesses to support their efforts to adopt AI.
Small businesses are optimistic about the potential of AI.
Capabilities like machine learning and language processing are becoming critical tools for businesses seeking streamlined operations like workforce recruitment, marketing, and strategy development.
However, businesses with substantial and stable access to capital tend to be better positioned for technology adoption and dealing with its ramifications.
Small businesses, on the other hand, including businesses in rural communities like my home district in central and eastern Montana, often lack the resources and information needed to facilitate technology adoption.
For example, according to a 2025 report from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 59% of small businesses in Montana have adopted AI into their operations.
While this figure may seem significant, it pales in comparison to the near-universal adoption of AI that we see with Fortune 500 companies.
That's why I'm proud to co-lead H.R. 5784, the AIWISE Act, with my colleague Representative Scolton.
The AIWISE Act directs the Small Business Administration, the SBA, to establish educational resources on AI for small businesses through its online learning platform.
In doing so, this legislation seeks to provide small businesses with the technical and practical knowledge needed to best navigate AI adoption.
The scope of this educational material will include resources for small businesses on how AI models work, how businesses can identify tasks with AI and can effectively perform the best practices for coordinating with third-party providers and protecting data privacy.
I would like to thank my colleague Representative Scolton for co-leading this legislation with me.
The AIWISE Act will ensure small businesses have the information that they need to most effectively utilize AI to bolster their entrepreneurship.
I urge my colleagues to vote in support of this legislation, and with that, I yield back my time.
I commend Ms. Colton and Mr. Downing for their dedication to our nation's innovators, small enterprises, and I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5784.
Union calendar number 263, H.R. 659, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code, to direct the Chairman of the Board of Veterans Appeals to give priority to individuals with certain professional experience in recommending such individuals to serve as members of the Board of Veterans Appeals and for other purposes.
This bill would require Chairman of the Board of Veterans Appeals to prioritize people with at least three years of relevant experience working in veterans law when recommending new veteran law judges to the VA Secretary for positions at the VA.
This legislation does not alter the criteria the board currently uses to evaluate judges, and it does not restrict the board chairman from recommending other qualified candidates.
Madam Speaker, this bill would ensure that the best judges with vitality and vitally important first-hand experience are serving our veterans at the VA.
Veterans expect that those who are hearing their appeal are reviewing evidence in support of their appeal have the skills, knowledge, and experience in veterans law to make sound decisions.
I support this common sense legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 659, and with that, I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, I rise to express my support for H.R. 659, the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025.
Madam Speaker, contrary to what the American public often thinks, sometimes in this body, we actually do things that make sense.
That is very much the case with H.R. 659, the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act introduced by my friend and colleague, Representative Julia Brownlee.
Now, this bill is simple and straightforward.
It states that when recommending individuals to serve on the Board of Appeals, the Board of Veterans Appeals, priority should be given to those who have three or more years of experience in practicing veterans law.
The Veterans Affairs Committee hears often about the complex nature of the disability compensation system at the Department of Veterans Affairs.
That complexity, unfortunately, leads to mistakes and errors that cause our veterans' disability claims to be denied prematurely.
And especially now at a time when we've seen that Secretary Collins has shifted the Department's focus from getting claims right to simply getting them fast, we are seeing higher rates of processing errors, higher denial rates, and consequently higher rates of appeals to the Board of Veterans Appeals, the BVA.
In that context, it is imperative that the BVA has the staffing levels and experience levels to get things right for our veterans.
I, along with everyone else, support efforts to ensure that veterans and beneficiaries are being served at every point of contact in VA by the best talent we can muster.
Now, one way we can do that is by ensuring we have the right folks in the right roles.
This legislation seeks to help that at VVA by focusing on hiring those with sufficient experience to best serve our veterans.
We can and should look to staff the Board of Veterans Appeals with attorneys that have demonstrated expertise in this area, attorneys who are experienced and who can see beyond quotas and metrics to apply the law to the maximum benefit of veterans at the heart of the process.
So, Madam Speaker, I strongly support H.R. 659 and urge my colleagues to do the same.
I also want to mention another bill that the House should take up, which would further improve the BVA.
H.R. 2303, introduced by Representative Morgan McGarvey, increases the promotion of potential of, increases the promotion potential for attorneys at the Board of Veterans Appeals.
I know that my colleagues on the other side of the aisle balk at anything that might result in civil servants receiving more compensation.
But if we agree that we need to hire board attorneys with greater experience and we are asking them to do more work and more complex work at that, we ought to see fit to pay them what they are worth.
So I hope that my colleagues see fit to advance that bill very soon as well.
Now with that, Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Madam Speaker, at this time, I'd like to yield as much time as she may consume.
My good friend, the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health and the author of this legislation, Ranking Member Julia Brownlee.
Let me just say before I actually turn it over to her that I want in recognition of her announced retirement, she's going to be with us for the rest of the year, but I don't know if I'll ever have a chance to have this moment on the floor with her again.
So I just want to point out that she was the leader of the very first Woman Veterans Task Force that resulted in the Deborah Sampson Act, which unfortunately is really substantively the bill that she put forward and is really the real author of, but it carries somebody else's name.
The same with the Elizabeth Dole Act, amazing piece of legislation, amazingly substantive.
And the Elizabeth Dole Act has laid the groundwork for our senior veterans who want to age in place at home.
That and many other pieces of legislation as the chair and then ranking member of the Subcommittee on Health.
It's with a heavy heart that I yield to my good friend and colleague from California, Julia Brownlee.
Thank you, Madam Speaker, and thank you, Ranking Member, for yielding.
And thank you for the very kind words.
I appreciate it very, very much.
And I thank the Chairman and the Ranking Member for their support of this bill, the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act, and for their work to bring it to the floor today.
Every day, far too many veterans across this country are waiting for a VA benefit decision, but not only for the benefits they are due, but for the stability, the security, and the relief that comes with these benefits.
Too often, that wait stretches from months and sometimes into years.
Pending Appeals Limbo00:03:18
unidentified
And during that time, veterans are left in limbo, unable to work, struggling to support their families, and forced to navigate a system that moves far too slowly for the urgency of their lives.
Across our district offices, our caseworkers hear directly from veterans who are desperate for answers about their claims and appeals.
In many cases, a timely VA decision could change a veteran's life.
Yet, even after waiting for an initial decision, they may need to appeal their case to the Board of Veterans Appeals, where they face more months and often years of additional delay.
Veterans deserve a system that works with the same urgency and seriousness with which they served our nation.
But in recent years, despite hiring new veteran law judges, the board has often lacked the experienced personnel needed to move cases efficiently and accurately.
This is in part due to the fact that in February 2020, the long-standing experience requirement for the veteran law judges was eliminated, opening the door to hiring judges without a background in veterans law.
While we respect the commitment of those entering this workforce, the reality is that lengthy training periods, slow decisions, increase eras, and leave veterans waiting even longer for answers.
The Veterans Law Judge Experience Act takes a practical, common sense, and targeted step to address this challenge, to encourage the Board of Veteran Appeals to prioritize hiring judges with at least three years of veterans law experience.
That means more cases decided, fewer delays, and stronger retention of professionals who already understand this complex and deeply consequential area of the law.
Hiring experienced veteran law judges will help speed the appeals process, improve the accuracy of decisions, and reduce unnecessary appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for veteran claims.
According to the Department of Veteran Affairs, there are approximately 200,000 pending appeals before the board today.
200,000 pending appeals before the board today.
Further, a GAO audit spanning 2019 to 2022 showed that the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veteran Claims either partially or fully remanded more than 80 percent of veteran cases back to the board, resting the clock in compounding delays.
Madam Speaker, our obligation to veterans does not end when they no longer serve in uniform.
It continues in how we care for them, how we honor their service, and how seriously we take the responsibility to deliver the benefits they have earned.
V-SAFE Act: Protecting Veterans00:15:21
unidentified
That is what guides my work on the House Veteran Affairs Committee and why I am proud to see this bipartisan bill move forward.
By strengthening the expertise of the Board of Veteran Appeals, we can reduce the backlog, restore trust in the system, and ensure that veterans receive the timely and fair decisions they deserve.
I respectfully urge my colleagues to vote yes on this bill, which passed the House Veterans Affairs Committee with overwhelming bipartisan support.
Mr. Speaker, I encourage my colleagues to vote yes on H.R. 659, the Veterans Law Judge Experience Act of 2025.
It's clear to me from the words on the floor from the ranking member of the House Subcommittee, Julia Brownlee, that this bill is wise, it is warranted, it is well thought out, and the arguments for it are about helping our veterans receive their claims, get their claims approved in a timely manner.
And again, I would like to repeat my sentiment that we appreciate her service to this body, and she has left an indelible mark on veterans' policy, on veterans' affairs.
And I look forward to serving the balance of this year with my colleague and congratulate her on a brilliant career in the House of Representatives.
H.R. 1663, a bill to amend Title 38, United States Code, to establish in the Department of Veterans Affairs a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer and for other purposes.
Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1663 as amended, offered by Representative Calvert from California.
This bill would protect veterans from scams and fraud that may target the benefits they earned through service.
Too many veterans, along with their families, caregivers, and survivors, are being hit with savvy fraud schemes designed to steal personal information, drain bank accounts, and even redirect VA benefits to bad actors.
And when these scams happen, veterans often don't know where to turn inside the federal system.
And the V-SAFE Act would take direct action to fix this issue.
This bill would add dedicated veteran scam and fraud evasion officers positions to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
This would rightfully build up VA's fraud prevention and response efforts across VA.
So this problem is treated like a real threat, not just an afterthought.
Representative Calvert's bill would also require VA to improve communications during urgent fraud incidents so veterans and their families are not left in the dark while scammers continue to strike.
By building up the VA's existing anti-fraud tools and adding new ones where necessary, we can combat fraud head-on.
Speaker, at the end of the day, veterans should never lose their hard-earned benefits because the system failed to protect them from criminals.
The vSAFE Act should strengthen the accountability, improve prevention, and give veterans the support and protection they deserve.
This bill takes an important step towards safeguarding veterans, strengthening trust in the VA system, and I'm proud to support it.
I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 1663 as amended.
And with that, Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I rise to speak in hesitant support of H.R. 1663, the Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion or VSAFE Act as amended.
Now, I fully support the intention of this bill and strongly encourage the Department to fully resource the vSAFE program established under President Biden.
However, the actions taken by the Trump administration over the last year will significantly hinder the great work that has been accomplished by the vSAFE Task Force, the Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which is unfortunately more pressing than ever.
According to the Federal Trade Commission, veterans reported some of the highest numbers of fraud complaints and greatest total losses in 2024, amounting to nearly $600 million.
Veterans also continually face higher losses than their civilian counterparts, with median losses reported around $700, which is over $200 higher than the general population.
Now, both the FTC and the CFPB have done important work in identifying the most pressing scams and fraudulent activities that target veterans and their families.
These include scams like credit card fraud, investment schemes, and imposter scams which seek to impersonate government officials, technology support, or even love interests to collect money or gain access to veterans' personal systems.
They have also identified the threat of multi-level marketing schemes and other quote-unquote business opportunities like Amway, Mary Kay, and Herbalife, who regularly target veterans, service members, and their families under the guise of patriotism, flexible hours, and financial independence.
Now, I applaud my colleague Representative Delio Ramirez for offering an amendment to require specific trainings on these tactics to provide veterans and their families with clear, actionable guidance to protect their hard-earned benefits.
It is unfortunate that this common sense amendment was voted down by the Republican members of our committee.
Lastly, I find it ironic that these same Republican colleagues want to advance this legislation while our president actively dismantles the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, one of the only agencies set up to protect military and veteran consumers.
Irony.
Since its inception in 2008, the CFPB has returned more than $21 billion, that's billion with a B, back to consumers, which includes hundreds of millions of dollars to service members and veterans impacted by violations of the Military Lending Act.
Unfortunately, President Trump has determined that those who served our nation no longer deserve protections against bad actors who seek to profit off their benefits.
As fraudsters' ability to create more complex scams and more convincing in their deceit thanks to emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, the time to create informed and resource tools is now.
H.R. 1663 marks a step in the right direction, but I urge my congressional colleagues to do more to help protect our nation's veterans against these scams.
And with that, Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, I'd like to yield, and I'd like to yield here in just a minute if I can, but someday I would like to carry on this floor from our committee a bill that is actually sponsored by a Republican that my colleague can actually find totally good.
We come out here every time and he finds all the excuses of why this is bad, this is bad, and this is bad.
This is a really good bill.
And so just so we know, the person that worked on this has worked very hard on this bill to make sure it deals with the fraud that is out there.
And with that, I want to recognize him for as much time as he may consume.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Through their service and sacrifice, our veterans willingly put themselves in harm's way to ensure the security of our country.
It's our turn to ensure that they're protected from scams and fraud.
That's why I introduced H.R. 1663, the Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Act, or VSAFE Act.
The sophistication and frequency of scams and fraud targeting our veterans is constantly increasing.
According to a report from the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. veterans and military retirees reported $350 million in total fraud losses in 2023.
While a number of departments and staff work in an uncoordinated manner to combat fraud within the VA and other agencies, the V-SAFE Act will establish a comprehensive effort that will assist our veterans by establishing a veteran scam and fraud evasion officer in the Department of Veterans Affairs who is responsible for all fraud prevention efforts.
By providing veterans with more consistent guidance on how to identify, report, and avoid fraud and scam attempts, we can reduce the occurrences that are occurring.
I want to thank Chairman Mike Boss and all the co-sponsors of this bill for their support.
I encourage all my colleagues, protect our veterans by supporting the VSAFE Act.
Let me just, in response to the Chairman, just say that I did say that this bill was a step in the right direction, a step that could be a big leap if we all got behind bigger initiatives and called upon this administration to stop diminishing and diluting the power of the Financial Consumer Protection Bureau.
The results of protecting military service members and veterans by that particular agency are undisputed, and it became particularly impactful when it was in full force.
But the philosophy of this administration has been to diminish the authority and reach of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as well as the Federal Trade Commission.
And our veterans are suffering, and in spite of this very small step we're taking with this bill, it is insufficient to take on the enormous challenge of fighting fraudsters in this country who will take advantage of those who've laid their lives on the line for all of us.
But with that, I do urge my colleagues to support this legislation.
And I'll intend to vote yes, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The question is, will the House suspend the rules and pass the bill H.R. 1663 as amended.
Those in favor, say aye.
Those opposed, no.
In the opinion of the chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the rules are suspended.
The bill is passed, and without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid on the table.
Pursuant to Clause 12A of Rule 1, the chair declares the House in recess until approximately 6.30 p.m. today.
unidentified
Today, the U.S. House is considering several bills under suspension of the rules, including legislation requiring the Small Business Administration to help business owners use AI in their operations.
Also, a bill to establish a veteran scam and fraud evasion officer at the VA.
Later this week, members are expected to work on the four remaining spending bills funding parts of the federal government through September 30th, the end of the fiscal year, in order to avert a shutdown on January 30th.
It includes funding for the Departments of Defense, Education, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, and housing, as well as labor and transportation.
The House is also expected to vote on legislation to block further U.S. military action in Venezuela.
Senators failed to advance a similar measure last week.
Watch live coverage of the U.S. House when lawmakers return here on C-SPAN.
Why You Should Love C-SPAN00:01:54
unidentified
Get C-SPAN wherever you are with C-SPAN Now, our free mobile video app that puts you at the center of democracy, live and on demand.
Keep up with the day's biggest events with live streams of floor proceedings and hearings from the U.S. Congress, White House events, the courts, campaigns, and more from the world of politics, all at your fingertips.
Catch the latest episodes of Washington Journal.
Find scheduling information for C-SPAN's TV and radio networks, plus a variety of compelling podcasts.
The C-SPAN Now app is available at the Apple Store and Google Play.
Download it for free today.
c-span democracy unfiltered c-span is as unbiased as you can get You are so fair.
I don't know how anybody can say otherwise.
You guys do the most important work for everyone in this country.
I love C-SPAN because I get to hear all the voices.
You bring these divergent viewpoints and you present both sides of an issue and you allow people to make up their own minds.
I've watch C-SPAN every morning and it is unbiased and you bring in factual information for the callers to understand where they are in their comments.
This is probably the only place that we can hear honest opinion of Americans across the country.
You guys at C-SPAN are doing such a wonderful job of allowing free exchange of ideas without a lot of interruptions.
Thank you, C-SPAN, for being a light in the dark.
Incoming New Jersey Governor Mikey Sherrell was sworn in as the first female Democrat to hold that office and delivered remarks at her inauguration.