Capito Amendment to Small Business Bill Passes House

Press Release

Capito Amendment to Small Business Bill Passes House

Congresswoman's Measure Will Support Service Disabled Veteran Small Business Owners

The House of Representatives today approved an amendment - authored by Rep. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) - to small business legislation that reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. Capito's amendment will provide greater access for service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to take advantage of each program.

"Small businesses form the core of our economy in West Virginia and elsewhere," noted Capito. "This bill will reauthorize and improve two important small business programs and with my amendment we can be sure that service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses are eligible for assistance. Our veterans have served honorably and with today's legislative action they'll have new found economic opportunities."

The underlying legislation - the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act - will update and modernize the SBIR and STTR programs to expedite the grant award process, provide flexibility for the administration of grants and increase budgetary support for each program. The SBIR and STTR programs award nearly $2 billion annually to small businesses in support of research and development efforts. Capito's amendment will add service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses to the list of groups eligible to apply for SBIR assistance.

The passage of the legislation coincides with National Small Business Week. Created in 1963, Small Business Week celebrates the role of small businesses in the American economy.

During debate on the bill, Capito spoke of the challenges faced by returning veterans in voicing her support for the bill and her amendment.

"Recent studies have shown that returning veterans face unemployment rates that are nearly four times as high as that of non-military laborers," she said. "Our returning veterans should have post military opportunities that inspire confidence…. This amendment will extend to service disabled veterans more opportunities to succeed after serving their nation."

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