Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 6454) to clarify the primary functions and duties of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 6454

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2022''. SEC. 2. AMENDMENT TO PRIMARY FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES OF THE OFFICE OF ADVOCACY OF THE SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Primary Functions.--Section 202 of Public Law 94-305 (15 U.S.C. 634b) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``and the international economy'' after ``economy'';

(2) in paragraph (9), by striking ``complete'' and inserting ``compete''; and

(3) in paragraph (12), by striking ``serviced-disabled'' and inserting ``service-disabled''.

(b) Duties.--Section 203(a) of Public Law 94-305 (15 U.S.C. 634c) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (5), by striking ``and'' at the end;

(2) in paragraph (6), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

``(7) represent the views and interests of small businesses before foreign governments and international entities for the purpose of contributing to regulatory and trade initiatives which may affect small businesses.''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6454, the Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2022.

Established in 1976, SBA's Office of Advocacy is the independent voice for small businesses within the Federal Government. The office oversees the enforcement of the Regulatory Flexibility Act and is a source for statistics and research on matters pertaining to small businesses. Over the years, the Office of Advocacy's responsibilities have expanded, and participation in international regulatory cooperation and trade initiatives that impact small businesses is becoming increasingly important.

H.R. 6454 makes it clear that the Office of Advocacy has the authority to examine international economic data and represent small businesses in international discussions, particularly in trade negotiations.

I thank the ranking member and Mr. Carter for their bipartisan work on this bill.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I reserve the balance of my time.

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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. Speaker, SBA's Office of Advocacy works to ensure that small business interests are heard at all levels of government because, too often, their voices are drowned out by larger companies with sophisticated legal departments and armies of lobbyists.

Now as the world becomes more and more connected, participating in the global economy is vital to small businesses' success. In order to do that, they need a strong voice advocating on their behalf. H.R. 6454 will allow the office to advocate on behalf of small businesses in international discussions, trade negotiations, and examine international economic data.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.

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