Sbir and Sttr Extension Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for yielding.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the SBIR and STTR Extension Act of 2022. This bipartisan legislation reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs for 3 years and implements several reforms to strengthen the programs for years to come.

This bill safeguards taxpayer dollars by ensuring that we increase the rate of successful commercialization, prohibits our adversaries from reaping the benefits of our SBIR and STTR investments, and encourages the rapid development of emerging technologies that are vital for our national security.

In addition, this legislation would allow the Department of Defense to adopt the successful open topic solicitation process pioneered by the Air Force. The open topic solicitation will attract new small businesses into the SBIR program, accelerate the development of emerging technologies, broaden program access to young startups, and increase the potential for commercial impact.

The SBIR and STTR programs are important tools for small businesses to research, develop, and commercialize innovative technologies and help create good-paying jobs.

As we all know, the CCP is taking concerted steps to bridge the innovation gap with the United States and knock us down as the world leader in innovation. We must never relent our country's position as the leading innovator and creator of emerging technologies.

I thank Ranking Members Luetkemeyer and Lucas and Chairwomen Velazquez and Johnson for their leadership in bringing a successful, bicameral negotiation to reauthorize SBIR and STTR programs.

I urge my colleagues to support this underlying legislation and continue our country's support for our small businesses and innovation.

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