Washington D.C.— Today, the House Small Business Committee passed five bipartisan bills to protect small firms from anti-competitive behavior, bolster assistance for rural small businesses, and improve oversight of Small Business Administration (SBA) loan programs.
“These five bipartisan bills will boost SBA initiatives to better assist small businesses, as well as conduct rigorous oversight of vital agency programs,” said Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY). “Over the past few years, small businesses have led our economic recovery from COVID. The bills we advanced today will help ensure SBA’s programs are protected and helping small firms that need assistance so small businesses can continue to move our country forward.”
H.R. 5424, “The Main Street Competes Act”
Introduced by Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY).
The bill would reaffirm Congress’ commitment to fostering competition in small business economic policy by requiring the Office of Advocacy to evaluate Federal Trade Commission and Department of Justice efforts to protect small businesses from unfair competition.
H.R. 5265, “Small Business Administration Rural Performance Report Act”
Introduced by Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO), Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-MO), Rep. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), and Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH).
The bill would require the SBA to issue an annual report on the activities of the Office of Rural Affairs, develop a specific budget justification for the office, and issue a report on the Memorandum of Understanding with the Department of Agriculture (USDA).
H.R. 5425, “To amend the Small Business Act to enhance the Office of Rural Affairs, and for other purposes”
Introduced by Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), Rep. Tracey Mann (R-KS), Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH), Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY).
The bill would enhance SBA’s Office of Rural Affairs by elevating the role of the Director to an Assistant Administrator, delineating certain qualifications for the position, requiring the office to host webinars and outreach events, and report on the operations and activities of the office.
H.R. 5426, “To require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to provide a link to resources for submitting reports on suspected fraud relating to certain COVID–19 loans”
Introduced by Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX) and Rep. Greg Landsman (D-OH).
The legislation would require SBA to put a link on their primary website that would direct individuals to the OIG website to report suspected fraud.
H.R. 5427, “To prohibit individuals convicted of defrauding the Government from receiving any assistance from the Small Business Administration, and for other purposes.”
Introduced by Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX), Rep. Kweisi Mfume (D-MD), and Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL).
The legislation would prohibit anyone convicted of any crimes relating to financial misconduct or making a false statement with respect to an SBA pandemic loan or grant from receiving non-disaster financial assistance from the SBA.
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