Rural Small Business Resilience Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me time. I also thank Chairman Williams and my colleagues who are leading on this important legislation.

I rise in support of the bipartisan Rural Small Business Resilience Act.

My home in Maryland's Second Congressional District is home to nearly 640,000 small businesses, many of which are in rural communities, all with unique needs and challenges.

I support this bill because it will help ensure small businesses in rural communities receive the resources they need and the support they need to recover during times of crisis by requiring targeted outreach and marketing materials and requiring a deadline to get it done.

Small businesses are the heart of our economy. That is especially true in our rural communities. However, we know that small businesses in rural America often face unique challenges that are often overlooked, especially when it comes to disaster relief programs.

It is simple. We need to make sure that small rural businesses aren't left behind when disasters from pandemics to hurricanes and everything in between strike.

As a county executive, I witnessed firsthand the severe financial pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which devastated many small businesses.

I saw how rural communities in particular often struggle with limited resources, reduced access to broadband and cellular services, and longer response times when disaster relief is needed.

This bill will help break down those barriers and ensure that rural businessowners are aware of and can effectively access available resources.

I urge my colleagues on both sides to vote ``yes'' and show rural America and our Nation's employers that we are committed to their success.

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