[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 36 (Monday, February 24, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H745-H746]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
RURAL SMALL BUSINESS RESILIENCE ACT
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 804) to require the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration to improve access to disaster assistance for
individuals located in rural areas, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 804
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Rural Small Business
Resilience Act''.
SEC. 2. ACCESS TO DISASTER ASSISTANCE FOR INDIVIDUALS LOCATED
IN RURAL AREAS.
Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of
this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business
Administration shall ensure that the Associate Administrator
of the Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience of the
Administration takes such actions as necessary to ensure that
individuals located in rural areas (as defined in paragraph
(16) of section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
636(b)(16))) for which a disaster declaration has been made
under such section 7(b) have full access to assistance
provided under such section, including by providing targeted
outreach and marketing materials to such individuals.
SEC. 3. TECHNICAL AMENDMENT.
The second paragraph (16) (relating to statute of
limitations) of section 7(b) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(b)) is redesignated as paragraph (17).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Williams) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
{time} 1700
General Leave
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 804, the Rural Small
Business Resilience Act, led by my colleagues, Representatives
Morrison, Downing, Pappas, and Bean.
As we look ahead to the summer months, many Americans are eager for
the warm weather and sunshine, but with that comes the reality that
hurricane season is approaching. Many communities, particularly in
rural America, are still working to recover from the devastating storms
of last season, even as we prepare for the next.
Too often, small businesses and disaster survivors in rural
communities are unaware of the critical assistance the SBA provides
after disasters. That assistance can be the difference between staying
open or shutting down for good.
Rural small businesses face unique challenges. Disaster recovery
efforts must be tailored to meet the needs of rural America to ensure
they have access to the full range of resources and support. The Rural
Small Business Resilience Act is critical to ensuring SBA disaster
assistance is tailored to the needs of rural America.
As someone who spent a lifetime in business, I know that getting the
correct information to the right people at the right time is key. This
bill will ensure disaster survivors in rural communities are not left
in the dark when they need help the most.
I urge all my colleagues to vote for H.R. 804, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, today we are considering H.R. 804, which would require
the SBA to close out the GAO recommendation ensuring that individuals
in rural areas where a disaster declaration has been made have full
access to assistance, including targeted outreach and marketing
materials. SBA would have 1 year to close out the recommendation.
On February 22, 2024, GAO issued a report examining how SBA's
disaster loan program assists communities after disasters. GAO found
that rural areas have characteristics that make recovery difficult, and
they face challenges in seeking SBA disaster assistance.
While the SBA had taken steps to address challenges to recovery,
including portable outreach centers, virtual outreach, and a whole-of-
SBA approach, GAO recommended that SBA distinguish between urban and
rural communities in its outreach and marketing plan and take actions
to mitigate the challenges encountered by rural communities.
This bill prioritizes SBA's efforts to close out this GAO
recommendation and focus on our Nation's rural communities.
I commend Dr. Morrison, Mr. Downing, Mr. Pappas, and Mr. Bean for
their work on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman from
Minnesota (Ms. Morrison).
Ms. MORRISON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my legislation,
H.R. 804, the Rural Small Business Resilience Act.
As the ranking member of the Subcommittee on Rural Development,
Energy, and Supply Chains, I am pleased to put forward this
commonsense, bipartisan legislation that will ensure rural small
businesses can operate on a level playing field.
This bill requires the Small Business Administration to ensure that
small businesses located in rural areas have full access to SBA
disaster assistance in the wake of a natural disaster.
The SBA's disaster loan program serves as a lifeline for small
business owners in need of capital to repair, rebuild, and recover from
of the physical and economic losses of a natural disaster.
Unfortunately, the Government Accountability Office recently found
that rural communities face unique barriers that inhibit recovery from
severe weather events like hurricanes, flooding, and wildfires.
A lack of reliable broadband, cellular service, or physical
infrastructure can make it more difficult for small business owners in
these communities to learn about and apply for disaster assistance.
We also know that natural disasters are becoming more frequent and
more severe. In my home State of Minnesota, natural disasters have
caused about $20 billion in damage and economic loss over the last 5
years alone.
Small businesses are among the most vulnerable to injury. FEMA has
reported that more than 40 percent of small businesses do not reopen
after a natural disaster.
We can all agree that every small business owner in this country
should have fair access to disaster assistance, regardless of where
they live. The Rural Small Business Resilience Act will address this
disparity by requiring the SBA to conduct targeted outreach to small
business owners in rural communities.
I will close by thanking the gentleman from Montana (Mr. Downing),
the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Pappas), and the gentleman from
[[Page H746]]
Florida (Mr. Bean) for their partnership on this important, bipartisan
legislation. I also thank Chairman Williams and Ranking Member
Velazquez for their support of this bill.
I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this legislation.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Maryland (Mr. Olszewski).
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman for yielding me
time. I also thank Chairman Williams and my colleagues who are leading
on this important legislation.
I rise in support of the bipartisan Rural Small Business Resilience
Act.
My home in Maryland's Second Congressional District is home to nearly
640,000 small businesses, many of which are in rural communities, all
with unique needs and challenges.
I support this bill because it will help ensure small businesses in
rural communities receive the resources they need and the support they
need to recover during times of crisis by requiring targeted outreach
and marketing materials and requiring a deadline to get it done.
Small businesses are the heart of our economy. That is especially
true in our rural communities. However, we know that small businesses
in rural America often face unique challenges that are often
overlooked, especially when it comes to disaster relief programs.
It is simple. We need to make sure that small rural businesses aren't
left behind when disasters from pandemics to hurricanes and everything
in between strike.
As a county executive, I witnessed firsthand the severe financial
pressures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic which devastated many small
businesses.
I saw how rural communities in particular often struggle with limited
resources, reduced access to broadband and cellular services, and
longer response times when disaster relief is needed.
This bill will help break down those barriers and ensure that rural
businessowners are aware of and can effectively access available
resources.
I urge my colleagues on both sides to vote ``yes'' and show rural
America and our Nation's employers that we are committed to their
success.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I
am prepared to close.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support this bill, and
I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support
this commonsense legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Goldman of Texas). The question is on
the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) that the
House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 804.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
____________________