Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.

Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7622, the Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022.

Small businesses across the country are facing labor shortages and skills gaps as our Nation remains 820,000 jobs short compared to prior to the pandemic.

Just last week, the NFIB reported that over half of small businesses have unfilled job openings. This is more than double the almost 50-year historical average of 23 percent. Further, of those owners hiring or trying to hire, 92 percent of owners reported few or no qualified applicants for the positions they were trying to fill.

The Small Business Administration offers multiple resources to small businesses to help them face the current economic headwinds and labor challenges. One of these resources is the small business development centers, which have served to be a valuable tool for entrepreneurs and offer free training, counseling, and support for small businesses.

This legislation will further improve SBDCs by expanding their ability to assist small businesses in establishing and improving work- based learning opportunities and apprenticeship programs.

To be clear, this legislation supports all work-based learning opportunities.

I thank Congressman Crow as well as Congressman Fitzgerald, Congresswoman Houlahan, and Congressman Garbarino for working in a bipartisan manner to ensure this bill reached the House floor. I also thank the chair for advancing this bill.

Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7622, which was unanimously reported out of our committee. I reserve the balance of my time.

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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to my colleague from Wisconsin (Mr. Fitzgerald), a tireless advocate for small business in Wisconsin and around the country.

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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, the SBDC program has delivered for small businesses for many years. The Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022 will help combat labor shortages by supporting apprenticeships and learning opportunities through SBDCs. This bill will help small businesses grow and equip American workers with new skills.

Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7622, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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