Sbir and Sttr Extension Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mr. LUCAS. Mr. Speaker, I thank my friend for yielding me this time.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the SBIR and STTR Extension Act. This bill is extremely timely, as the authorizations for these programs expire in just a few days.

I am pleased that the bill we are considering today represents a bipartisan, bicameral agreement that provides both small businesses and agencies clarity by reauthorizing the programs for another 3 years.

The SBIR and STTR programs play an important role in our innovation economy. Through these programs, research agencies provide opportunities to small businesses who are then able to leverage private-sector funding to propel research forward.

The programs incentivize economic growth in two ways: They support entrepreneurship and job creation at small businesses across the country. They also support high-risk research to drive breakthrough technologies that make America more competitive.

These programs are a notable example of how public-private partnerships can provide value and stimulate innovation. Importantly, this reauthorization includes several reforms to the programs that are priorities for Republican Members, including: Protecting our research enterprise, bolstering transparency and oversight, and focusing on successful commercialization.

I am pleased that this reauthorization includes strong due diligence measures that each agency with an SBIR or STTR program must enforce. These safeguards build on the bipartisan research security framework that the Science Committee has championed.

Additionally, an increased focus on transparency and oversight of the programs will bolster public transparency, safeguard taxpayer dollars, and provide more opportunities to new small business applicants.

I thank my colleagues on the House Small Business Committee for working with me to reach this bipartisan agreement, and, in particular, I thank Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for his leadership throughout the process.

As always, many thanks to my Chairwoman, Eddie Bernice Johnson, for her tireless work to ensure that the Science, Space, and Technology Committee remains a bipartisan, productive committee focused on legislating.

The SBIR and STTR programs are vital to our research enterprise, especially as we strive to maintain American leadership and technology. I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

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