Extension of Sbir and Sttr Authority

Floor Speech

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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5100) to extend the SBIR and STTR programs, and for other purposes.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5100

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. EXTENSION OF SBIR AND STTR AUTHORITY.

(a) SBIR.--Section 9(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(m)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.

(b) STTR.--Section 9(n)(1)(A) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(n)(1)(A)) is amended by striking ``through fiscal year 2025'' and inserting ``though fiscal year 2026''. SEC. 2. EXTENSION OF SBIR AND STTR PROGRAMS AND ACTIVITIES.

(a) Phase Flexibility.--Section 9(cc) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(cc)) is amended by striking ``through 2025'' and inserting ``through 2026''.

(b) Commercialization Readiness Program for Civilian Agencies Pilot Program.--Section 9(gg)(7) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(gg)(7)) is amended by striking ``fiscal year 2025'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2026''.

(c) Accelerated Awards.--Section 9(hh)(2)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(hh)(2)(C)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.

(d) Phase 0 Pilot Program.--Section 9(jj)(7) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(jj)(7)) is amended by striking ``fiscal year 2025'' and inserting ``fiscal year 2026''.

(e) Administrative Assistance.--Section 9(mm)(1) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(mm)(1)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.

(f) Increased Minimum Performance Standards.--Section 9(qq)(3)(I) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(qq)(3)(I)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.

(g) Commercialization Assistance Pilot Programs.--Section 9(uu)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(uu)(3)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.

(h) Due Diligence Program.--Section 9(vv)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(vv)(3)(C)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.

(i) STTR Participation of Military Research and Educational Institutions Pilot Program.--Section 9(yy)(2) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(yy)(2)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.

(j) Budget Calculation Pilot Program.--Section 9(zz)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638(zz)(3)) is amended by striking ``September 30, 2025'' and inserting ``September 30, 2026''.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill, H.R. 5100. This bill extends two programs critical for American innovation, the Small Business Innovation Research, SBIR, and the Small Business Technology Transfer, STTR, programs, for 1 year.

I thank my colleagues, Ranking Member Velazquez and Chairman Babin and Ranking Member Lofgren of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology for cosponsoring this bipartisan legislation.

Since the 1980s, the SBIR and the STTR programs have fueled American innovation by providing early-stage funding to small businesses. These investments have led to groundbreaking technologies that grow our economy and strengthen our national defense.

SBIR and STTR programs have been regularly reauthorized by Congress to include many reforms to drive small business. However, the programs will expire at the end of this month, on September 30, just 15 days away.

As my colleagues and I continue to work toward the goal of a long- term reauthorization, one thing has become clear: Time is working against us. We cannot allow these critical programs to expire. Failing to extend these programs would be a disservice to small businesses across the country. Put simply, American innovators cannot operate in uncertainty, and national security cannot afford an innovation gap.

As chairman of the Small Business Committee, I am committed to ensuring these programs remain strong and uninterrupted. H.R. 5100 will allow Congress the additional time to work toward a meaningful long- term and bipartisan reauthorization while also ensuring that small businesses can continue to do what they do best, and that is innovate.

Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues in the House again for joining me in reintroducing this legislation. Their partnership shows the SBIR and the STTR programs' strong bipartisan support and our shared commitment to keeping America at the forefront of discovery.

I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense extension, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I thank Ms. Velazquez, and I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation to continue uplifting small business innovation across America.

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