Rural Small Business Resilience Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 804) to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to improve access to disaster assistance for individuals located in rural areas, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 804

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 ``Rural Small Business Resilience Act''. SEC. 2. ACCESS TO DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS LOCATED IN RURAL AREAS.

Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall ensure that the Associate Administrator of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience of the Administration takes such actions as necessary to ensure that individuals located in rural areas (as defined in paragraph (16) of section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)(16))) for which a disaster declaration has been made under such section 7(b) have full access to assistance provided under such section, including by providing targeted outreach and marketing materials to such individuals. SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.

The second paragraph (16) (relating to statute of limitations) of section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(b)) is redesignated as paragraph (17).

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 804, the Rural Small Business Resilience Act, led by my colleagues, Representatives Morrison, Downing, Pappas, and Bean.

As we look ahead to the summer months, many Americans are eager for the warm weather and sunshine, but with that comes the reality that hurricane season is approaching. Many communities, particularly in rural America, are still working to recover from the devastating storms of last season, even as we prepare for the next.

Too often, small businesses and disaster survivors in rural communities are unaware of the critical assistance the SBA provides after disasters. That assistance can be the difference between staying open or shutting down for good.

Rural small businesses face unique challenges. Disaster recovery efforts must be tailored to meet the needs of rural America to ensure they have access to the full range of resources and support. The Rural Small Business Resilience Act is critical to ensuring SBA disaster assistance is tailored to the needs of rural America.

As someone who spent a lifetime in business, I know that getting the correct information to the right people at the right time is key. This bill will ensure disaster survivors in rural communities are not left in the dark when they need help the most.

I urge all my colleagues to vote for H.R. 804, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I am prepared to close.

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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

The yeas and nays were ordered.

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