Thinkdifferently About Disability Employment 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. 1634) to provide for a memorandum of understanding between the Small Business Administration and the National Council on Disability to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, and for other purposes, as amended.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1634

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 ``ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act''. SEC. 1. MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES.

(a) In General.--The Administrator of the Small Business Administration, in consultation with the Chair of the National Council on Disability, shall--

(1) provide assistance to individuals with disabilities who desire to become entrepreneurs or to be self-employed;

(2) help individuals with disabilities find employment at small business concerns (as defined under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632)); and

(3) assist small business concerns with hiring individuals with disabilities and with accessibility issues applicable to individuals with disabilities.

(b) Memorandum of Understanding or Agreement.--The Administrator, in consultation with the Chair, shall carry out and coordinate the activities described in subsection (a) by entering into one or more memoranda of understanding or other appropriate agreements.

(c) Outreach and Education.--In carrying out the activities described in subsection (a), the Administrator, in consultation with the Chair, shall conduct outreach and education about such activities.

(d) Report.--Not later than two years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator, in consultation with the Chair, shall submit to Congress a report on activities carried out pursuant to any memorandum or agreement described in subsection (b) that includes the following:

(1) A description of how the Administrator, in consultation with the Chair, carried out such activities.

(2) An analysis of opportunities to expand the technical capabilities of the Small Business Administration in carrying out such activities.

(3) A description of achievements under any such memorandum or agreement.

(4) A description of the plans of the Administrator, in consultation with the Chair, to continue activities to expand employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. SEC. 2. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.

No additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of this Act.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in full support of H.R. 1634, the ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disability Employment Act, introduced by Representatives Stauber and Simon.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues for their collaboration on this important legislation which aims to break down barriers and provide greater opportunities for individuals with disabilities nationwide.

Far too many individuals with disabilities continue to face systematic challenges when trying to enter the workforce or start a small business. As Congress, we have a responsibility to recognize their talents and create opportunities that empower them to succeed.

The bill takes a simple, practical step toward directing the SBA to work directly with the National Council on Disability, and together they will coordinate efforts to help individuals with disabilities pursue entrepreneurship, secure employment with small businesses, and overcome accessibility challenges. This will help ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to business counseling through existing SBA programs, like the Small Business Development Centers.

Importantly, H.R. 1634 is a commonsense, no-cost solution that provides individuals with disabilities more opportunities to succeed on Main Street and start their own small businesses.

I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan effort, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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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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