Foster Offers First Floor Amendment

Press Release

Foster Offers First Floor Amendment

Showing that he is quickly making an impact in Washington, DC, while protecting taxpayer dollars, Rep. Foster offered his first amendment yesterday to a bill that will prevent illegal immigrants from accessing the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business and Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.

"The 14th District taxpayers must have confidence that their hard-earned tax dollars are being used appropriately. This amendment helps accomplish that goal," Foster said.

The amendment clarifies that illegal immigrants are ineligible to participate in the SBIR and STTR programs. It allows legal permanent residents to be eligible, but a firm in violation of the provision would be barred from receiving future awards.

"Upon passage of comprehensive immigration reform, the path to eligibility will be the path to citizenship under the rule of law," Foster said.

The SBIR and STTR programs ensure that the nation's small, high-tech, businesses are a significant part of the federal government's research and development efforts. From its inception in 1983 to 2006, more than 94,660 awards have been made totaling more than $20.7 billion in the SBIR program.

Concluded Foster, "This kind of simple solution to updating the SBIR and STTR takes these quality programs, which are essential for positive economic growth and jobs, and makes them stronger."

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