news

An overview of SBA's disaster loan assistance program, click here. En español.  For information on disaster recovery contracting, click here. En español.  For a primer of general disaster assistance, click here. En español.  For a chart on where to start when it comes to applying for disaster assistance,… Read more »

In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) is pressing the Small Business Administration (SBA) on a program that was intended to provide disaster relief, but that has stalled in its implementation since its 2015 enactment.  “Following Sandy, Congress appropriately created this program to channel assistance to disaster survivors in a rapid… Read more »

Congressional efforts to reform a long troubled small business federal procurement program took a significant step forward today as a key panel examined legislation to improve the initiative.  Since the Historically Underutilized Business Zone Program (HUBZone) was created twenty years ago, it has been plagued by fraud and mismanagement.  During a hearing before the House Small… Read more »

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed an amendment authored by Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the Ranking Democrat on the House Small Business Committee. Velázquez’s amendment will increase funding for Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), which are located throughout the country. As the largest of the Small Business Administration’s… Read more »

STATEMENT of the Honorable Nydia M. Velázquez, Ranking Member United States House of Representatives, Committee on Small Business Federal Permitting Wednesday September 6, 2017 at 11:00 am Like raising revenue and funding various programs, regulation is a fundamental tool government uses to implement public policy. The costs and benefits associated with federal regulations have… Read more »

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the Ranking Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, released the following statement regarding $450 million in funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA) included in the Emergency Supplemental Appropriations for Hurricane Harvey:              “I am pleased the Chairman of the Appropriations… Read more »

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, released the following statement opposing the Trump Administration’s decision to roll back Deferred Actions for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and highlighting devastating consequences for the small business sector:              “With 97% of the… Read more »

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the Ranking Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, released the following statement regarding Hurricane Harvey and damage in Texas:              “All Americans stand united with the residents of Houston, southeast Texas and all those affected by Harvey.            … Read more »

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, released the following statement regarding news that the President is disbanding two of his Economic Councils:              “American entrepreneurs understand that our diversity is our strength and that the President’s statements regarding… Read more »

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Rep. Jenniffer González-Colon, the Resident Commissioner of Puerto Rico, have written the head of the Small Business Administration (SBA) expressing the need to expand contracting opportunities for small businesses in Puerto Rico. Amidst the turmoil of bankruptcy, the letter urges SBA to help small firms operating there to participate… Read more »