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Bills Would Promote Diversity in Entrepreneurship and Protect Intellectual Property  

Last night, a set of key small business reforms, championed by Democratic Members of the House Small Business Committee, were agreed to in the U.S. House of Representatives. The two bills, sponsored by Rep. Alma Adams (D-NC) and Rep. Dwight Evans (D-PA) will make strides in expanding mentorship programs and protecting intellectual property for America’s small firms.

“Entrepreneurs from all corners of America deserve our support—whether in rural pockets of the South or urban hubs in the Northeast,” said Committee Ranking Member Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY). “I am proud that the two bills passed by the House will make promising steps toward helping small business owners secure capital and safeguard their innovations.” 

The House has passed Rep. Adams’ bill, the SCORE for Small Business Act of 2017, which instructs SBA to expand and improve SCORE resources for economically disadvantaged communities, rural areas and other traditionally underserved areas. For entrepreneurs seeking guidance, the SCORE program harnesses the expertise of thousands of volunteer business counselors within the United States and its territories. Throughout the years, SCORE has expanded to become one of the federal government’s largest volunteer business advisor and mentoring programs, with over 11,000 business professionals at over 320 chapters nationwide. 

“I’m pleased that my bill, the SCORE for Small Business Act, has passed the House of Representatives,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Mentorship plays a critical role in the short and long-term success of small businesses. SCORE is an important tool available to help new entrepreneurs better navigate the difficulties of starting a new business. The reauthorization of SCORE will help to meet the needs of NC-12 businesses and the more than 800,000 small businesses in North Carolina. Small businesses are the drivers of our economy and I am proud to have worked on this legislation with my colleague Representative Don Bacon of Nebraska.”

“Rep. Adams has been a valued leader in promoting small business growth, particularly among people of color and in underserved areas like rural communities,” said Velázquez. “By passing her bill to improve the SCORE program, the House has taken a major step towards ensuring that entrepreneurs in North Carolina and around the country can pursue their dreams and create jobs in their local communities.” 

A second bill approved by the House, would help small firms protect their intellectual property. H.R. 2655, the Small Business Innovation Protection Act of 2017, authored by Rep. Evans, would make additional resources available to small companies to protect their inventions from theft. Patents have been essential to driving American innovation, as intellectual property has fueled nearly 45 million jobs. However, small firms who store intellectual property online are facing growing cyber and other threats, putting their inventions at risk from unscrupulous actors.  Evans’ bill directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to partner with the U.S. Patent and Trade Office (USPTO) to expand training for small firms.  

“As members of Congress we have a special duty to ensure that our small businesses have all the tools in the toolbox that they need to succeed.  We know that small businesses are critical to the economic strength of our country, especially in the new and growing tech-based economy.  Creating and supporting programs like this are essential to helping entrepreneurs prosper,” said Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA).

“In today’s world, innovative processes and leading-edge ideas are some of entrepreneurs’ most valued assets,” said Velázquez.  “Unfortunately, we increasingly see small companies are vulnerable to intellectual property theft. Rep. Evans is leading the fight to protect small businesses from these dangers, and, in doing so, helping preserve a pillar of our national economy.”

Both bills now move to consideration by the U.S. Senate. 

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