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Providing for Consideration of HR 1361, Relief for Entrepreneurs: Coordination of Objectives and Values for Effective Recovery Act of 2007

Floor Speech

Date: April 18, 2007
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: National Security


PROVIDING FOR CONSIDERATION OF H.R. 1361, RELIEF FOR ENTREPRENEURS: COORDINATION OF OBJECTIVES AND VALUES FOR EFFECTIVE RECOVERY ACT OF 2007

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Ms. CASTOR. Mr. Speaker, I thank my distinguished colleague from the Rules Committee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the RECOVER Act and this rule which charts a new direction for emergency and hurricane planning, because the Federal Government simply must be ready to respond in a crisis.

Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Velázquez and her committee deserve credit for understanding the expectations of the American people, who have insisted upon better disaster relief planning.

My colleagues from Florida, and indeed, our neighbors and citizens across the gulf coast, begin to feel a bit apprehensive this time of year because hurricane season is only a few weeks away. Yes, we are all worried about the potential landfall of a hurricane, but we are also just as concerned about the administration's ability to deal with the aftermath.

Following the Bush administration's poor response to the 2005 gulf coast hurricanes, the new Congress has pledged to strengthen disaster planning and response, and we are following through here today. The RECOVER Act will improve the Small Business Administration's disaster response plans and assess its technology, telecommunications and personnel in advance.

In the event of another hurricane or natural disaster, small business owners will face costs of starting up again, so this act increases the funds available for disaster loans from $1.5 to $3 million. And importantly for the hardworking folks like those in my district in the Tampa Bay area, small business owners will no longer be required to pledge their homes as collateral for business loans less than $100,000.

The act also requires the SBA to improve coordination with State and local authorities and establishes a disaster relief corps of 1,000 trained individuals.

So, Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge approval of this rule and the RECOVER Act so that our country is better prepared for hurricane season and the swift recovery of our communities and small businesses.

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