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Velázquez Highlights Challenges Facing Veteran-Owned Small Businesses

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WASHINGTON- Today, the House Committee on Small Business held a full committee hearing focused on how federal programs can better support veteran entrepreneurs as they transition from military service to small business ownership.   During the hearing, Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) emphasized the importance of federal efforts that help veterans turn their skills and…

Velázquez Highlights Solutions to Keep Main Street Safe During Hearing on Crime and Cybersecurity

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WASHINGTON – Today, the House Small Business Committee convened for a hearing titled “Main Street Under Attack: The Cost of Crime on Small Businesses,” examining how cyberattacks, retail theft, and gun violence are affecting small firms and their workers, as well as federal policies that can help protect Main Street.   During the hearing, Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY)…

Ranking Member Velázquez Warns SBA Administrator Loeffler of Potential Hatch Act Violations

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On Thursday, October 2, 2025, Ranking Member Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY) sent a letter to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator, Kelly Loeffler, in response to reports that the SBA is using taxpayers’ dollars to promote partisan activities that could potentially violate the Hatch Act, and other federal laws. Rep. Velázquez demanded that the agency cease directing or…

Velázquez and Small Business Leaders Reaffirm Commitment to Preserving Opportunities for Small Government Contractors, Call on Congress to Codify the Rule of Two

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WASHINGTON- The Federal Acquisition Regulation Council released new changes to the main small business section of the government’s contracting regulations, retaining a key policy that allows small businesses to enter, compete, and have success in the federal marketplace. “Despite the Administration’s efforts to rewrite the government’s procurement rules without transparency,…

House Small Business and Science Committee React to Imminent Lapse of SBIR/STTR Programs

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WASHINGTON – House Committee on Small Business Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX), House Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-TX), and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) issued the following statement as the SBIR and STTR programs are set to expire at midnight:  “We are disappointed that the Senate failed to extend…

Committee Examines Opportunities and Challenges for Small Businesses in the Creator Economy

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WASHINGTON – Today, the House Small Business Committee held a full committee hearing titled “Streaming Success: Small Businesses in the Age of Digital Influence” to examine how content creators are building businesses, the barriers they face, and the broader economic impact of the creator economy   Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) emphasized the importance of adapting…

House Approves One Year SBIR and STTR Extension

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WASHINGTON – Today, the House of Representatives voted to advance a bipartisan bill to extend the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through the fiscal year. For over forty years, these initiatives have enabled entrepreneurs to transform bold ideas into cutting-edge technologies while delivering significant value for…

Small Business Committee Advances One-Year Extension of SBIR and STTR Programs

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WASHINGTON – Today, the House Committee on Small Business voted to advance a bipartisan bill to extend the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through the fiscal year.   SBIR and STTR have a four-decade track record of fueling groundbreaking innovation by small firms and delivering strong return on investment for…

Ranking Member Velázquez Statement on August Jobs Report

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WASHINGTON D.C.- Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Small Business Committee, issued the following statement after the Labor Department released its August jobs report: “Today’s Jobs Report reveals an alarming truth. This downturn is a direct consequence of illegal tariffs, soaring inflation, and the decline of the immigrant workforce, policies pushed by…

Velázquez Calls for Reliable Broadband to Support Rural Entrepreneurs

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WASHINGTON – Yesterday, the House Small Business Committee held a hearing titled “Wired for Growth: How Expanding Broadband Can Revitalize Rural Small Businesses.” During the hearing, Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) highlighted how broadband access is critical to the success of rural entrepreneurs and helps ensure rural small businesses can compete on a level playing…

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