Congressional Record, House, April 26, 2022 — Women's Business Centers Improvement Act of 2022
Summary
Page H4465 of the House section of the Congressional Record for April 26, 2022, in interleaved columns, from debate on small business bills. A speaker says H.R. 6445 continues the long tradition of the work of Small Business Development Centers, which provide valuable resources and free counseling to entrepreneurs, and that additional resources will let the SBA advise and train more women entrepreneurs. Bill text includes definitions of resource partners, covering small business development centers, chapters of the Service Corps of Retired Executives and Veteran Business centers, and the short title SCORE for Small Business Act of 2022.
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“Congressional Record, House, April 26, 2022 — Women's Business Centers Improvement Act of 2022.”
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April 26, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4465
in a bipartisan manner. I thank the H.R. 6445 continues the long tradition business concern owned and controlled by
chair for working with me to advance of SBDC’s work to meet the ever-evolv- women’ has the meaning given under section
these bills to the floor. ing needs of America’s entrepreneurs 3(n).
Small Business Development Centers ‘‘(4) RESOURCE PARTNERS.—The term ‘re-
as they emerge from the pandemic. source partners’ means small business devel-
provide valuable resources and free Strengthening the SBDC network will, opment centers, chapters of the Service
counseling to entrepreneurs across this in turn, provide the support our small Corps of Retired Executives (established
great Nation. This Congress, I have businesses need in order to thrive. under section 8(b)(1)(B)), and Veteran Busi-
heard from several small businesses Today’s bill is endorsed by America’s ness Outreach Centers (described under sec-
who have benefited from the SBDC’s SBDCs, an association representing the tion 32).
services. 63 SBDC networks and their nearly ‘‘(5) WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER.—The term
In my home State of Missouri, the 1,000 centers. ‘women’s business center’ means the loca-
Missouri Small Business Development I thank Mr. GOLDEN and remember tion at which counseling and training on the
Center helped a local brewery create a management, operations (including manu-
the late Mr. Hagedorn for their bipar- facturing, services, and retail), access to cap-
business plan and apply for a 504 loan tisan work on this bill. ital, international trade, government pro-
to grow their business. They also I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes,’’ curement opportunities, and any other mat-
helped a veteran-owned food shipping and I yield back the balance of my ter that is needed to start, maintain, or ex-
business scale up and find new partner- time. pand a small business concern owned and
ships during the pandemic. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The controlled by women.
They supported countless small busi- question is on the motion offered by ‘‘(6) WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER ASSOCIA-
nesses in accessing SBA’s COVID relief the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. TION.—The term ‘Women’s Business Center
programs such as the Paycheck Protec- VELÁZQUEZ) that the House suspend the Association’ means a membership organiza-
tion Program and Economic Injury tion formed by women’s business centers to
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6445. pursue matters of common concern.
Disaster loans. I am grateful for their The question was taken; and (two-
wide range of services to entre- ‘‘(b) AUTHORITY.—
thirds being in the affirmative) the ‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established
preneurs. rules were suspended and the bill was a Women’s Business Center Program under
This important legislation will allow passed. which the Administrator may enter into a
SBDCs to continue their important A motion to reconsider was laid on cooperative agreement with an eligible enti-
services and expand their network of the table. ty to provide a grant to such eligible entity
small business beneficiaries through to operate one or more women’s business
f
marketing. centers for the benefit of small business con-
This legislation also ensures SBDC’s WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTERS cerns owned and controlled by women.
client information is protected and IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2022 ‘‘(2) USE OF FUNDS.—A women’s business
that cooperation, communication, and center established using funds made avail-
Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I
collaboration between SBA and SBDC able under this section shall be designed to
move to suspend the rules and pass the provide entrepreneurial counseling and
networks is improved. bill (H.R. 6441) to amend the Small
I thank Mr. GOLDEN for working on training that meets the needs of the small
Business Act to improve the women’s business concerns owned and controlled by
this legislation with the late Jim business center program, and for other women, especially such concerns owned and
Hagedorn. As we all know, Jim was a purposes. controlled by women who are both socially
champion for small businesses and a The Clerk read the title of the bill. and economically disadvantaged (as defined
truly invaluable member of our Small The text of the bill is as follows: under section 8(a)), and shall provide—
Business Committee. He will certainly ‘‘(A) financial assistance, including coun-
H.R. 6441
be missed. He leaves a huge hole on our seling and training on how to—
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ‘‘(i) apply for and secure business credit
side of the aisle with regard to support
resentatives of the United States of America in and investment capital;
of small businesses, and we remember Congress assembled, ‘‘(ii) prepare and present financial state-
him today. SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ments; and
I also thank the chair for working This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Women’s ‘‘(iii) manage cash flow and other financial
with me in a bipartisan manner to ad- Business Centers Improvement Act of 2022’’. operations of a small business concern;
vance this bill. SEC. 2. AMENDMENTS TO WOMEN’S BUSINESS ‘‘(B) management assistance, including
I urge my colleagues to ensure that CENTER PROGRAM. counseling and training on how to plan, or-
SBDCs can continue serving our small Section 29 of the Small Business Act (15 ganize, staff, direct, and control each major
business constituents and commu- U.S.C. 656) is amended to read as follows: activity and function of a small business
nities, and to support H.R. 6445, which ‘‘SEC. 29. WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM. concern; and
was passed favorably out of our com- ‘‘(a) DEFINITIONS.—In this section: ‘‘(C) marketing assistance, including coun-
mittee by a voice vote and passed the ‘‘(1) ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR.—The term seling and training on how to—
‘Assistant Administrator’ means the Assist- ‘‘(i) identify and segment domestic and
House in a similar form last Congress. international market opportunities;
The Small Business Development ant Administrator of the Office of Women’s
Business Ownership established under sub- ‘‘(ii) prepare and execute marketing plans;
Center network is critical in assisting section (k). ‘‘(iii) develop pricing strategies;
our small business owners during their ‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—The term ‘eligible ‘‘(iv) locate contract opportunities;
entrepreneurial business journey. H.R. entity’ means— ‘‘(v) negotiate contracts; and
6445 will enhance and improve this ‘‘(A) an organization described in section ‘‘(vi) use various public relations and ad-
journey and ensure the program re- 501(c) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 vertising techniques.
mains strong and vibrant on behalf of and exempt from taxation under section ‘‘(3) TYPES OF GRANTS.—
America’s small businesses. 501(a) of such Code; ‘‘(A) INITIAL GRANT.—The amount of an ini-
‘‘(B) a State, regional, or local economic tial grant, which shall be for a 5-year term,
I urge my colleagues to support H.R.
development organization, if the organiza- provided under this subsection to an eligible
6445, and I yield back the balance of my entity shall be not more than $300,000 annu-
tion certifies that grant funds received under
time. this section will not be commingled with ally (as such amount is annually adjusted by
Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I other funds; the Administrator to reflect the change in
yield myself such time as I may con- ‘‘(C) an institution of higher education (as inflation).
sume. defined in section 101 of the Higher Edu- ‘‘(B) CONTINUATION GRANTS.—The Adminis-
There is no question that we need to cation Act of 1965), unless such institution is trator may award a continuation grant,
support the cornerstone of the SBA’s currently receiving a grant under section 21; which shall be for a 5-year term, of not more
entrepreneurial programs, the Small ‘‘(D) a development, credit, or finance cor- than $300,000 annually (as such amount is an-
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Business Development Centers. SBDCs poration chartered by a State, if such cor- nually adjusted by the Administrator to re-
poration certifies that grant funds received flect the change in inflation) to an eligible
are SBA’s premier resource partner
under this section will not be commingled entity that received an initial grant under
with centers in communities across the subparagraph (A). There shall be no limita-
with other funds; or
country. Their free or low-cost coun- ‘‘(E) any combination of entities listed in tion on the number of continuation grants
seling and training have helped sustain subparagraphs (A) through (D). an eligible entity may receive under this sec-
small businesses and entrepreneurs ‘‘(3) SMALL BUSINESS CONCERN OWNED AND tion.
throughout the pandemic. CONTROLLED BY WOMEN.—The term ‘small ‘‘(c) APPLICATION.—
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H4466 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 26, 2022
‘‘(1) INITIAL GRANTS AND CONTINUATION areas with unmet needs and the likelihood ‘‘(B) CONSIDERATIONS.—In determining
GRANTS.—To receive an initial grant or con- that the recipient will become accredited. whether to issue a waiver under this para-
tinuation grant under this section, an eligi- ‘‘(2) SELECTION CRITERIA.— graph, the Administrator shall consider—
ble entity shall submit an application to the ‘‘(A) RULEMAKING.—The Administrator ‘‘(i) the economic conditions affecting the
Administrator in such form, in such manner, shall issue regulations to specify the criteria eligible entity;
and containing such information as the Ad- for review and selection of applicants under ‘‘(ii) the demonstrated ability of the eligi-
ministrator may require, including— this subsection. ble entity to raise non-Federal funds; and
‘‘(A) a certification that the eligible enti- ‘‘(B) MODIFICATIONS PROHIBITED AFTER AN- ‘‘(iii) the performance of the eligible entity
ty— NOUNCEMENT.—With respect to a public an-
under the initial grant.
‘‘(i) has designated an executive director or nouncement of any opportunity to be award-
‘‘(C) LIMITATION.—The Administrator may
program manager, who may be compensated ed a grant under this section made by the
not issue a waiver under this paragraph if
using grant funds awarded under this section Administrator pursuant to subsection (l)(1),
the Administrator determines that granting
or other sources, to manage each women’s the Administrator may not modify regula-
business center for which a grant under sub- tions issued pursuant to subparagraph (A) the waiver would undermine the credibility
section (b) is sought; and with respect to such opportunity unless re- of the Women’s Business Center Program.
‘‘(ii) meets accounting and reporting re- quired to do so by an Act of Congress or an ‘‘(7) EXCESS NON-FEDERAL DOLLARS.—The
quirements established by the Director of order of a Federal court. amount of non-Federal dollars obtained by
the Office of Management and Budget; ‘‘(C) RULE OF CONSTRUCTION.—Nothing in an eligible entity that is greater than the
‘‘(B) information demonstrating the expe- this paragraph may be construed as prohib- amount that is required to be obtained by
rience and effectiveness of the eligible entity iting the Administrator from modifying the the eligible entity under this subsection
in— regulations issued pursuant to subparagraph shall not be subject to the requirements of
‘‘(i) providing entrepreneurial counseling (A) (after providing an opportunity for no- part 200 of title 2, Code of Federal Regula-
and training described under subsection tice and comment) as such regulations apply tions, or any successor thereto, if such
(b)(2); to an opportunity to be awarded a grant amount of non-Federal dollars—
‘‘(ii) providing training and services to a under this section that the Administrator ‘‘(A) is not used as matching funds for pur-
representative number of women who are has not yet publicly announced pursuant to poses of implementing the Women’s Business
both socially and economically disadvan- subsection (l)(1). Center Program; and
taged; and ‘‘(e) MATCHING REQUIREMENTS.— ‘‘(B) was not obtained by using funds
‘‘(iii) working with resource partners, of- ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—Subject to paragraph (5),
granted under the Women’s Business Center
fices of the Administration, and other public upon approval of an application submitted
Program.
and private entities engaging in entrepre- under subsection (c), the eligible entity shall
‘‘(8) CARRYOVER.—An eligible entity may
neurial and small business development; and agree to obtain contributions from non-Fed-
eral sources— use excess non-Federal dollars described in
‘‘(C) a 5-year plan that—
‘‘(i) includes information relating to the ‘‘(A) in the first and second year of the paragraph (7) to satisfy the matching funds
assistance to be provided by each women’s term of an initial grant, if applicable, 1 non- requirement under paragraph (1) for the sub-
business center in the area in which each Federal dollar for every 2 Federal dollars; sequent 1-year grant term, if applicable, ex-
such center is located; and cept that such amounts shall be subject to
‘‘(ii) describes the ability of the eligible en- ‘‘(B) in each subsequent year of the term of the requirements of part 200 of title 2, Code
tity to meet the needs of the market to be an initial grant, if applicable, or for the term of Federal Regulations, or any successor
served by each women’s business center; of a continuation grant, 1 non-Federal dollar thereto.
‘‘(iii) describes the ability of the eligible for each Federal dollar. ‘‘(f) OTHER REQUIREMENTS.—
entity to obtain the matching funds required ‘‘(2) FORM OF MATCHING FUNDS.—Not more ‘‘(1) SEPARATION OF FUNDS.—An eligible en-
under subsection (e); and than one-half of non-Federal matching funds
tity shall—
‘‘(iv) describes the ability of the eligible described under paragraph (1) may be in the
‘‘(A) operate a women’s business center
entity to provide entrepreneurial counseling form of in-kind contributions that are budg-
et line items only, including office equip- under this section separately from other
and training described under subsection
ment and office space. projects, if any, of the eligible entity; and
(b)(2), including to a representative number
of women who are both socially and eco- ‘‘(3) SOLICITATION.—Notwithstanding any ‘‘(B) separately maintain and account for
nomically disadvantaged. other provision of law, an eligible entity any grant funds received under this section.
‘‘(2) RECORD RETENTION.— may— ‘‘(2) EXAMINATION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall ‘‘(A) solicit cash and in-kind contributions ‘‘(A) REQUIRED SITE VISIT.—Before receiv-
maintain a copy of each application sub- from private individuals and entities to be ing an initial grant under this section, each
mitted under this subsection for not less used to operate a women’s business center; applicant shall have a site visit by an em-
than 5 years. and ployee of the Administration, in order to en-
‘‘(B) PAPERWORK REDUCTION.—The Adminis- ‘‘(B) use amounts made available by the sure that the applicant has sufficient re-
trator shall take steps to reduce, to the max- Administrator under this section for the cost sources to provide the services for which the
imum extent practicable, the paperwork bur- of such solicitation and management of the grant is being provided.
den associated with carrying out subpara- contributions received. ‘‘(B) ANNUAL REVIEW.—An employee of the
graph (A). ‘‘(4) DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS.—The Admin- Administration shall—
‘‘(d) SELECTION OF ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.— istrator may disburse an amount not greater ‘‘(i) conduct an annual programmatic and
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—In selecting recipients of than 25 percent of the total amount of a financial examination of each eligible entity,
initial grants, the Administrator shall con- grant awarded to an eligible entity before as described in subsection (g); and
sider— such eligible entity obtains the matching ‘‘(ii) provide the results of such examina-
‘‘(A) the experience of the applicant in pro- funds described under paragraph (1). tion to the eligible entity.
viding entrepreneurial counseling and train- ‘‘(5) FAILURE TO OBTAIN MATCHING FUNDS.— ‘‘(3) REMEDIATION OF PROBLEMS.—
ing; If an eligible entity fails to obtain the re- ‘‘(A) PLAN OF ACTION.—If an examination of
‘‘(B) the amount of time needed for the ap- quired matching funds described under para-
an eligible entity conducted under paragraph
plicant to commence operation of a women’s graph (1), the eligible entity may not be eli-
(2)(B) identifies any problems, the eligible
business center; gible to receive advance disbursements pur-
entity shall, within 45 calendar days of re-
‘‘(C) in consultation with a Women’s Busi- suant to paragraph (4) during the remainder
ness Center Association, the capacity of the of the term, if applicable, of an initial grant ceiving a copy of the results of such exam-
applicant to meet the accreditation stand- awarded under this section. Before approving ination, provide the Assistant Administrator
ards established under subsection (k)(4) in a such eligible entity for a continuation grant with a plan of action, including specific
timely manner; under this section, the Administrator shall milestones, for correcting such problems.
‘‘(D) the ability of the applicant to sustain make a written determination, including the ‘‘(B) PLAN OF ACTION REVIEW BY THE ASSIST-
operations, including the applicant’s ability reasons for such determination, of whether ANT ADMINISTRATOR.—The Assistant Admin-
to obtain matching funds under subsection the Administrator believes that the eligible istrator shall review each plan of action sub-
(e), for a 5-year period; entity will be able to obtain the requisite mitted under subparagraph (A) within 30 cal-
‘‘(E) the proposed location of a women’s matching funding under paragraph (1) for endar days of receiving such plan. If the As-
business center to be operated by the appli- such continuation grant. sistant Administrator determines that such
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cant and the location’s proximity to Veteran ‘‘(6) WAIVER OF NON-FEDERAL SHARE.— plan—
Business Outreach Centers and to recipients ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Upon request by an eli- ‘‘(i) will bring the eligible entity into com-
of grants under section 8(b)(1) or 21; gible entity and in accordance with this pliance with all the terms of a cooperative
‘‘(F) the population density of the area to paragraph, the Administrator may waive, in agreement described in subsection (b), the
be served by the women’s business center op- whole or in part, the requirement to obtain Assistant Administrator shall approve such
erated by the applicant; and matching funds under paragraph (1) for a plan; or
‘‘(G) the advice and counsel of a Women’s grant awarded under this section for the eli- ‘‘(ii) is inadequate to remedy the problems
Business Center Association to determine gible entity for a 1-year term of the grant. identified in the annual examination to
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April 26, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4467
which the plan of action relates, the Assist- ‘‘(iii) governing the general operations and ‘‘(1) ELIGIBLE ENTITY.—An eligible entity
ant Administrator shall set forth such rea- administration of women’s business centers, that receives a grant under this section may
sons in writing and provide such determina- specifically including the development of enter into a contract with a Federal depart-
tion to the eligible entity within 15 calendar regulations and a uniform negotiated cooper- ment or agency to provide specific assistance
days of such determination. ative agreement for use on an annual basis to small business concerns owned and con-
‘‘(C) AMENDMENT TO PLAN OF ACTION.—An when entering into individual cooperative trolled by women and other underserved
eligible entity receiving a determination agreements with women’s business centers. small business concerns, if performance of
under subparagraph (B)(ii) shall have 30 cal- ‘‘(6) ENFORCEMENT.— such a contract does not hinder the ability of
endar days from the receipt of the deter- ‘‘(A) GRANTS.—The Assistant Adminis- the eligible entity to carry out the terms of
mination to amend the plan of action to sat- trator shall develop policies and procedures a grant received under this section.
isfy the problems identified by the Assistant to minimize the possibility of awarding a ‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATOR.—The authority of the
Administrator and resubmit such plan to the grant to an eligible entity that will operate Administrator to enter into contracts shall
Assistant Administrator. a women’s business center that likely will be in effect for each fiscal year only to the
‘‘(D) AMENDED PLAN REVIEW BY THE ASSIST- not remain in compliance with program and extent and in the amounts as are provided in
ANT ADMINISTRATOR.—Within 15 calendar financial requirements. advance in appropriations Acts. After the
days of the receipt of an amended plan of ac- ‘‘(B) INDIVIDUAL COOPERATIVE AGREE- Administrator has entered into a contract,
tion under subparagraph (C), the Assistant MENTS.—The Assistant Administrator shall either as a grant or a cooperative agreement,
Administrator shall either approve or reject enforce the terms of any individual coopera- with any applicant under this section, the
such plan and provide such approval or rejec- tive agreement described in paragraph Administrator shall not suspend, terminate,
tion in writing to the eligible entity. (5)(B)(iii). or fail to renew or extend any such contract
‘‘(E) APPEAL OF ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR ‘‘(g) PROGRAM EXAMINATION.— unless the Administrator provides the appli-
DETERMINATION.— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administration cant with written notification setting forth
‘‘(i) IN GENERAL.—If the Assistant Adminis- shall— the reasons therefore and affords the appli-
trator rejects an amended plan under sub- ‘‘(A) develop and implement an annual pro- cant an opportunity for a hearing, appeal, or
paragraph (D), the eligible entity shall have grammatic and financial examination of other administrative proceeding under chap-
the opportunity to appeal such decision to each eligible entity receiving a grant under ter 5 of title 5, United States Code.
the Administrator, who may delegate such this section, under which each such eligible ‘‘(j) PRIVACY REQUIREMENTS.—
appeal to an appropriate officer of the Ad- entity shall provide to the Administration— ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—A women’s business cen-
ministration. ‘‘(i) an itemized cost breakdown of actual ter may not disclose the name, address, or
‘‘(ii) OPPORTUNITY FOR EXPLANATION.—Any expenditures for costs incurred during the telephone number of any individual or small
appeal described under clause (i) shall pro- preceding year; and business concern receiving assistance under
vide an opportunity for the eligible entity to ‘‘(ii) documentation regarding the amount this section without the consent of such in-
provide, in writing, an explanation of why of matching assistance from non-Federal dividual or small business concern, unless—
the eligible entity’s amended plan remedies sources obtained and expended by the eligi- ‘‘(A) the Administrator orders such disclo-
the problems identified in the annual exam- ble entity during the preceding year in order sure after the Administrator is ordered to
ination conducted under paragraph (2)(B). to meet the requirements of subsection (e) make such a disclosure by a court in any
‘‘(iii) NOTICE OF DETERMINATION.—The Ad- and, with respect to any in-kind contribu- civil or criminal enforcement action initi-
ministrator shall provide to the eligible enti- tions described in subsection (e)(2) that were ated by a Federal or State agency; or
ty a determination of the appeal, in writing, used to satisfy the requirements of sub- ‘‘(B) the Administrator considers such a
not later than 15 calendar days after the eli- section (e), verification of the existence and disclosure to be necessary for the purpose of
gible entity files an appeal under this sub- valuation of those contributions; and conducting a financial audit of a women’s
paragraph. ‘‘(B) analyze the results of each such exam- business center, except that such a disclo-
‘‘(iv) EFFECT OF FAILURE TO ACT.—If the Ad- ination and, based on that analysis, make a sure shall be limited to the information nec-
ministrator fails to act on an appeal made determination regarding the programmatic essary for such audit.
under this subparagraph within the 15-day and financial viability of each women’s busi- ‘‘(2) ADMINISTRATION USE OF INFORMATION.—
period specified under clause (iii), the eligi- ness center operated by the eligible entity. This subsection shall not—
ble entity’s amended plan of action sub- ‘‘(2) CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUED FUNDING.— ‘‘(A) restrict Administration access to
mitted under subparagraph (C) shall be In determining whether to award a continu- women’s business center data; or
deemed to be approved. ation grant to an eligible entity, the Admin- ‘‘(B) prevent the Administration from
‘‘(4) TERMINATION OF GRANT.— istrator— using information about individuals who use
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall ‘‘(A) shall consider the results of the most women’s business centers to conduct surveys
terminate a grant to an eligible entity under recent examination of the eligible entity of such individuals.
this section if the eligible entity fails to under paragraph (1); ‘‘(3) REGULATIONS.—The Administrator
comply with— ‘‘(B) shall determine if— shall issue regulations to establish standards
‘‘(i) a plan of action approved by the As- ‘‘(i) the eligible entity has failed to pro- for disclosures for purposes of a financial
sistant Administrator under paragraph vide, or provided inadequate, information audit described under paragraph (1)(B).
(3)(B)(i); or ‘‘(k) OFFICE OF WOMEN’S BUSINESS OWNER-
under paragraph (1)(A); or
‘‘(ii) an amended plan of action approved SHIP.—
‘‘(ii) the eligible entity has failed to pro-
by the Assistant Administrator under para- ‘‘(1) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established
vide any information required to be provided
graph (3)(D) or approved on appeal under within the Administration an Office of Wom-
by a women’s business center for purposes of
paragraph (3)(E). en’s Business Ownership, which shall be re-
the management report under subsection
‘‘(B) APPEAL OF TERMINATION.—An eligible sponsible for the administration of the Ad-
(m)(1), or the information provided by the
entity shall have the opportunity to chal- ministration’s programs for the development
center is inadequate; and
lenge the termination of a grant under sub- of women’s business enterprises (as defined
‘‘(C) shall consider the accreditation status
paragraph (A) on the record and after an op- in section 408 of the Women’s Business Own-
as described in subsection (k)(4).
portunity for a hearing. ership Act of 1988). The Office of Women’s
‘‘(3) ADDITIONAL OVERSIGHT.—The Assistant
‘‘(C) FINAL AGENCY ACTION.—A determina- Business Ownership shall be administered by
Administrator shall work with the Women’s
tion made pursuant to subparagraph (B) an Assistant Administrator, who shall be ap-
Business Center Association recognized
shall be considered final agency action for pointed by the Administrator.
under subsection (f)(5) (as applicable) to de-
the purposes of chapter 7 of title 5, United ‘‘(2) ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE OF-
velop, implement, and maintain policies and
States Code. FICE OF WOMEN’S BUSINESS OWNERSHIP.—
procedures for conducting financial examina-
‘‘(5) CONSULTATION WITH MAJORITY WOMEN’S ‘‘(A) QUALIFICATION.—The position of As-
tions under this subsection and to maintain
BUSINESS CENTER ASSOCIATION.—If on the date sistant Administrator shall be a Senior Ex-
internal controls that ensure that such fi-
of the enactment of this subsection, a major- ecutive Service position under section
nancial examinations are conducted prop-
ity of women’s business centers that are op- 3132(a)(2) of title 5, United States Code. The
erly.
erating pursuant to agreements with the Ad- ‘‘(h) NOTICE AND COMMENT REQUIRED.—The Assistant Administrator shall serve as a
ministration are members of an individual Administrator may only make a change to noncareer appointee (as defined in section
Women’s Business Center Association, the the standards by which an eligible entity ob- 3132(a)(7) of that title).
Administrator shall— tains or maintains grants under this section, ‘‘(B) DUTIES.—The Assistant Administrator
‘‘(A) recognize the existence and activities the standards for accreditation, or any other shall administer the programs and services
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of such Association; and requirement for the operation of a women’s of the Office of Women’s Business Ownership
‘‘(B) consult with the Association on, and business center if the Administrator first and perform the following functions:
negotiate with the Association in the devel- provides notice and the opportunity for pub- ‘‘(i) Recommend the annual administrative
opment of documents with respect to— lic comment, as set forth in section 553(b) of and program budgets of the Office and eligi-
‘‘(i) announcing the annual scope of activi- title 5, United States Code, without regard ble entities receiving a grant under the
ties pursuant to this section; to any exceptions provided for under such Women’s Business Center Program.
‘‘(ii) requesting proposals to deliver assist- section. ‘‘(ii) Review the annual budgets submitted
ance as provided in this section; and ‘‘(i) CONTRACT AUTHORITY.— by each eligible entity receiving a grant
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CORRECTION
H4468 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 26, 2022
under the Women’s Business Center Pro- ‘‘(6) ANNUAL CONFERENCE.—Each women’s ‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to
gram. business center shall participate in annual be appropriated to the Administration to
‘‘(iii) Collaborate with other Federal de- professional development at an annual con- carry out this section, to remain available
partments and agencies, State and local gov- ference facilitated by a Women’s Business until expended, $31,500,000 for each of fiscal
ernments, not-for-profit organizations, and Center Association. years 2022 through 2025.
for-profit organizations to maximize utiliza- ‘‘(l) NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS UNDER ‘‘(2) USE OF AMOUNTS.—
tion of taxpayer dollars and reduce (or elimi- THE WOMEN’S BUSINESS CENTER PROGRAM.— ‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in
nate) any duplication among the programs The Administrator shall provide the fol- subparagraph (B), amounts made available
overseen by the Office of Women’s Business lowing: under this subsection for fiscal year 2022, and
Ownership and those of other entities that ‘‘(1) A public announcement of any oppor- each fiscal year thereafter, may only be used
provide similar services to women entre- tunity to be awarded grants under this sec- for grant awards and may not be used for
preneurs. tion, to include the selection criteria under costs incurred by the Administration in con-
‘‘(iv) Maintain a clearinghouse to provide subsection (d) and any applicable regula- nection with the management and adminis-
for the dissemination and exchange of infor- tions. tration of the program under this section.
mation between women’s business centers. ‘‘(2) To any applicant for a grant under this ‘‘(B) EXCEPTIONS.—Of the amount made
‘‘(v) Serve as the vice chairperson of the section that failed to obtain such a grant, an available under this subsection for a fiscal
Interagency Committee on Women’s Busi- opportunity to debrief with the Adminis- year, the following amounts shall be avail-
ness Enterprise and as the liaison for the Na- trator to review the reasons for the appli- able for costs incurred by the Administra-
tional Women’s Business Council. cant’s failure. tion in connection with the management and
‘‘(3) MISSION.—The mission of the Office of ‘‘(3) To an eligible entity that receives an administration of the program under this
Women’s Business Ownership shall be to as- initial grant under this section, if a site visit section:
sist women entrepreneurs to start, grow, and or review of the eligible entity is carried out ‘‘(i) For the first fiscal year beginning
compete in global markets by providing by an officer or employee of the Administra- after the date of the enactment of this sub-
quality support with access to capital, access tion (other than the Inspector General), a paragraph, 2.65 percent.
to markets, job creation, growth, and coun- copy of the site visit report or evaluation, as ‘‘(ii) For the second fiscal year beginning
seling by— applicable, within 30 calendar days of the after the date of the enactment of this sub-
‘‘(A) fostering participation of women en- completion of such visit or evaluation. paragraph and each fiscal year thereafter
trepreneurs in the economy by overseeing a through fiscal year 2025, 2.5 percent.
‘‘(m) ANNUAL MANAGEMENT REPORT.—
network of women’s business centers ‘‘(3) EXPEDITED ACQUISITION.—Notwith-
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Administrator shall
throughout States and territories; standing any other provision of law, the Ad-
prepare and submit to the Committee on
‘‘(B) creating public-private partnerships ministrator may use such expedited acquisi-
Small Business of the House of Representa-
to support women entrepreneurs and conduct tion methods as the Administrator deter-
outreach and education to small business tives and the Committee on Small Business
and Entrepreneurship of the Senate an an- mines to be appropriate to carry out this
concerns owned and controlled by women; section, except that the Administrator shall
and nual report on the effectiveness of women’s
business centers operated through a grant ensure that all small business sources are
‘‘(C) working with other programs of the provided a reasonable opportunity to submit
Administrator to— awarded under this section.
‘‘(2) CONTENTS.—Each report submitted proposals.
‘‘(i) ensure women are well-represented in
under paragraph (1) shall include— ‘‘(4) ACCREDITATION AND ANNUAL CON-
those programs and being served by those
‘‘(A) information concerning, with respect FERENCE.—Not less than $500,000 of the
programs; and
to each women’s business center established amounts appropriated pursuant to paragraph
‘‘(ii) identify gaps where participation by
pursuant to a grant awarded under this sec- (1) for a fiscal year shall be available for pur-
women in those programs could be increased.
tion, the most recent analysis of the annual poses of carrying out subsection (k), of which
‘‘(4) ACCREDITATION PROGRAM.—
programmatic and financial examination of no less than $50,000 shall be available to sup-
‘‘(A) ESTABLISHMENT.—Not later than 270
the applicable eligible entity, as required port an annual conference described under
days after the date of enactment of this
paragraph, the Administrator shall publish under subsection (g)(1)(B), and the subse- subsection (k)(6).’’.
quent determination made by the Adminis- SEC. 3. EFFECT ON EXISTING GRANTS.
standards for a program to accredit eligible
entities that receive a grant under this sec- tration under that subsection; (a) TERMS AND CONDITIONS.—A nonprofit
tion. ‘‘(B) the number of persons counseled and organization receiving a grant under section
‘‘(B) PUBLIC COMMENT; TRANSITION.—Before trained through the Women’s Business Cen- 29(m) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
publishing the standards under subparagraph ter Program; 656(m)), as in effect on the day before the
(A), the Administrator— ‘‘(C) the total number of hours of coun- date of enactment of this Act, shall continue
‘‘(i) shall provide a period of not less than seling and training through the Program; to receive the grant under the terms and
60 days for public comment on such stand- ‘‘(D) the demographics of Program partici- conditions in effect for the grant on the day
ards; and pants to include gender, race, and age of before the date of enactment of this Act, ex-
‘‘(ii) may not terminate a grant under this each such participant; cept that the nonprofit organization may not
section absent evidence of fraud or other ‘‘(E) the number of Program participants apply for a continuation of the grant under
criminal misconduct by the recipient. who are veterans; section 29(m)(5) of the Small Business Act (15
‘‘(C) CONTRACTING AUTHORITY.—The Admin- ‘‘(F) the number of new businesses started U.S.C. 656(m)(5)), as in effect on the day be-
istrator may provide financial support, by by participants in the Program; fore the date of enactment of this Act.
‘‘(G) to the extent practicable, the number (b) LENGTH OF CONTINUATION GRANT.—The
contract or otherwise, to a Women’s Busi-
of jobs supported, created or retained with Administrator of the Small Business Admin-
ness Center Association to provide assist-
assistance from women’s business centers; istration may award a grant under section 29
ance in establishing the standards required
of the Small Business Act, as amended by
under subparagraph (A) or for carrying out ‘‘(H) the amount of capital secured by par-
this Act, to a nonprofit organization receiv-
an accreditation program pursuant to such ticipants in the Program, including through
ing a grant under section 29(m) of the Small
standards. loans and equity investment;
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 656(m)), as in effect
‘‘(5) CONTINUATION GRANT CONSIDER- ‘‘(I) the number of participants in the Pro-
on the day before the date of enactment of
ATIONS.— gram receiving financial assistance, includ-
this Act, for the period—
‘‘(A) IN GENERAL.—In determining whether ing the type and dollar amount, under the
(1) beginning on the day after the last day
to award a continuation grant under this loan programs of the Administration;
of the grant agreement under such section
section, the Administrator shall consider the ‘‘(J) an estimate of gross receipts, includ-
29(m); and
results of the annual programmatic and fi- ing to the extent practicable a description of
(2) ending at the end of the third fiscal
nancial examination conducted under sub- any change in revenue of small business con-
year beginning after the date of enactment
section (g) and the accreditation program. cerns assisted through the Program;
of this Act.
‘‘(B) ACCREDITATION REQUIREMENT.—After ‘‘(K) to the maximum extent practicable,
SEC. 4. REGULATIONS.
the end of the 2-year period beginning on the increases or decreases in revenues for the as-
Not later than 270 days after the date of
date of enactment of this subsection, the Ad- sisted small business concerns;
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the enactment of this Act, the Adminis-
ministration may not award a continuation ‘‘(L) the number of referrals made to other
trator of Small Business Administration
grant under this section unless the applica- resources and programs of the Administra-
shall issue such rules as are necessary to
ble eligible entity has been approved under tion;
carry out section 29 of the Small Business
the accreditation program conducted pursu- ‘‘(M) the results of satisfaction surveys of
Act (15 U.S.C. 656), as amended by this Act,
ant to this subsection, except that the As- participants, including a summary of any
and ensure that a period of public comment
sistant Administrator for the Office of Wom- comments received from such participants;
for such rules is not less than 60 days.
en’s Business Ownership may waive such ac- and
creditation requirement, in the discretion of ‘‘(N) any recommendations by the Admin- The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursu-
the Assistant Administrator, upon a showing istrator to improve the delivery of services ant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
that the eligible entity is making a good by women’s business centers. New York (Ms. VELÁZQUEZ) and the
faith effort to obtain accreditation. ‘‘(n) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.— gentleman from Missouri (Mr.
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April 26, 2022 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE H4469
LUETKEMEYER) each will control 20 preneurs each year through training, Kansas. I have also spoken with women
minutes. mentoring, business development, and who have used their services, folks like
The Chair recognizes the gentle- financing opportunities. This legisla- Lenora, who started Technology Group
woman from New York. tion, H.R. 6441, will bring increased Solutions 15 years ago with the help of
GENERAL LEAVE oversight to the WBC program and long the Kansas City Women’s Business
Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I ask overdue modernizations. Center. She now oversees more than 80
unanimous consent that all Members This legislation improves collabora- employees in three States.
may have 5 legislative days in which to tion with the SBA’s Office of Women’s She told me that she hears from
revise and extend their remarks and in- Business Ownership and requires the women who don’t have the network or
clude extraneous material on the meas- SBA to provide an annual report to access to capital that they need to get
ure under consideration. Congress to measure the effectiveness their businesses off the ground. She
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there of the WBC program. sends them to the WBC because when
objection to the request of the gentle- We have found that we have got some Lenora first started her business, the
woman from New York? problems with some of the WBC offices, center helped fill those gaps, paving
There was no objection. and this legislation will help weed out the way for her to grow what is now a
Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I the bad actors by requiring SBA to de- multimillion-dollar company.
yield myself such time as I may con- velop policies and procedures to reduce Other women I have spoken with spe-
sume. the possibility of awarding grants to a cifically cite the WBC’s evening and
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support WBC that will likely not remain in weekend hours and that they offer
of H.R. 6441, the Women’s Business compliance with the program. childcare during training sessions. It is
Center Improvement Act of 2022. This This important legislation will not those tailored services that have made
bill will modernize and strengthen the only ensure the integrity of the WBC these centers such a crucial contrib-
Small Business Administration’s Wom- program, but also support female en- utor to the success of so many
en’s Business Center program to better trepreneurs in their business ventures. businessowners.
serve America’s women entrepreneurs My bill, which we are voting on
b 1430 today, will enhance the WBC program
and women-owned small businesses.
I thank Ms. DAVIDS and Ms. TENNEY Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I to ensure that women entrepreneurs all
for their meaningful work to ensure thank Ms. DAVIDS and Ms. TENNEY for across the country have access to coun-
women entrepreneurs across the coun- working in a bipartisan manner to en- seling and training services. I have
try have continued access to vital sure this bill reached the House floor. I seen it in action, and it is why I intro-
counseling and training. thank the chair for advancing this bill. duced and strongly support this bipar-
WBCs are a critic component of I encourage all of my colleagues to tisan piece of legislation.
support H.R. 6441, which was unani- It would raise the cap on grants for
SBA’s Resource Partner ecosystem, as-
mously reported out of our committee the first time since the program began
sisting women in communities across
and has previously passed the House and create an accreditation system to
the country, particularly those that
floor in a similar form. help establish standards of excellence,
are socially and economically dis-
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of ensuring that our funds are being spent
advantaged.
my time. wisely to help growing entrepreneurs.
The WBC program forms more than The Kansas City Women’s Business
130 centers nationwide and offers a full Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I
Center served more than 800 clients
range of counseling and training serv- yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman
last year. How many more businesses
ices for all stages of business develop- from Kansas (Ms. DAVIDS), the chair of
could they grow? How many more as-
ment. Many of the WBCs provide mul- the Subcommittee on Economic
piring entrepreneurs could they reach
tilingual services, maintain evening Growth, Tax, and Capital Access.
with more resources?
and weekend hours to accommodate Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have introduced this
clients who work full time, and provide I thank Chairwoman VELÁZQUEZ and important piece of legislation along-
childcare. our ranking member for all the work side Congresswoman TENNEY, and I
In fiscal year 2020, with the addi- they are doing on the House Com- urge a ‘‘yes’’ vote.
tional funding provided by the CARES mittee on Small Business. Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I
Act, the WBC program increased their I rise today to urge my colleagues to yield such time as she may consume to
reach by 22 percent and trained and ad- stand up for the small business owners the gentlewoman from New York (Ms.
vised more than 82,000 clients, helping in their community and vote for my TENNEY), a strong advocate for small
them create nearly 30,000 small busi- bill to support the Women’s Business businesses and the ranking member of
nesses. Centers. the Small Business Subcommittee for
As we all know, women were particu- Women are the engine of our econ- Underserved, Agricultural, and Rural
larly hard-hit by the pandemic. omy. Women-owned businesses employ Business Development.
Women-owned businesses closed at 9.4 million people nationwide, contrib- Ms. TENNEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise
higher rates than their male counter- uting $1.2 trillion to our economy each today in strong support of H.R. 6441,
parts as women disproportionately left year. When we invest in the success of the Women’s Business Centers Im-
the workforce to be the primary care- women, we are giving our entire econ- provement Act, legislation that I am
givers for their families. omy a boost. honored to lead with my colleague,
That is why I am pleased to support Women’s Business Centers are an ef- Representative SHARICE DAVIDS.
the Women’s Business Centers Im- fective resource that reach more than Female entrepreneurs and women-
provement Act of 2022, which increases 88,000 entrepreneurs each year through owned businesses play a critical role in
the program’s annual authorization training, mentorship, and counseling. our Nation’s economy. As a longtime
level and increases the cap on indi- In 2020 alone, the WBC program in- small business owner myself, and the
vidual center grants. By doing so, more creased its outreach by 22 percent and owner of a woman-owned business, I
established centers can expand their helped start and sustain more than understand the challenges women-
reach to greater numbers of women. 30,000 small businesses. owned small businesses face, especially
Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to sup- To put it clearly, during the pan- in rural communities.
port this bipartisan bill, and I reserve demic, they increased their outreach. The Women’s Business Center pro-
the balance of my time. That is a solid record of success made gram at the Small Business Adminis-
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Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, I even more impressive by the commit- tration has been helping women over-
yield myself such time as I may con- ment to stepping up when they were come obstacles and build thriving busi-
sume, and I rise in support of H.R. 6441, needed the most. nesses for over 30 years. With more
the Women’s Business Centers Im- I have visited with the local Kansas than 150 locations across the Nation,
provement Act of 2022. City Women’s Business Center in Over- the Women’s Business Center program
Women’s Business Centers, WBCs, land Park. They serve the Kansas City provides over 150,000 female small busi-
support over 150,000 women entre- metro area and the entire State of ness owners annually with resources
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H4470 CONGRESSIONAL RECORD — HOUSE April 26, 2022
and guidance, helping them to identify the demand for such programs right in SEC. 2. SCORE PROGRAM PROVISIONS AND RE-
QUIREMENTS.
opportunities for growth. my community of Chester and Berks
The bipartisan Women’s Business Counties. Section 8 of the Small Business Act (15
Centers Improvement Act will In fact, this bipartisan effort is espe- U.S.C. 637) is amended—
strengthen the Women’s Business Cen- cially impactful for our Common- (1) in subsection (b)(1)(B)—
ter program, increase authorized fund- wealth of Pennsylvania, which has one (A) by striking ‘‘a Service Corps of Retired
ing, and enact commonsense taxpayer Executives (SCORE)’’ and inserting ‘‘the
of the highest numbers of women-
SCORE program described in subsection (c)’’;
protections and oversight provisions to owned businesses in the Nation. The and
safeguard public dollars and ensure time is now to build on that success. (B) by striking ‘‘SCORE may’’ and insert-
that the program efficiently serves the I thank Small Business Committee ing ‘‘the SCORE Association (as defined in
American people. Chair VELÁZQUEZ and Ranking Member subsection (c)) may’’; and
Additionally, the bill will expand the LUETKEMEYER again for helping to (2) by striking subsection (c) and inserting
cap on grants made available under bring this important bill to a vote be- the following:
this program, which will better support fore the House today. I urge my col- ‘‘(c) SCORE PROGRAM.—
our women entrepreneurs. These im- leagues to join me and vote ‘‘yes’’ ‘‘(1) DEFINITIONS.—In this subsection:
provements will help the Women’s today on this bipartisan bill to support ‘‘(A) SCORE ASSOCIATION.—The term
Business Centers program run effi- our small business owners. ‘SCORE Association’ means the Service
ciently and expand into more commu- Mr. LUETKEMEYER. Mr. Speaker, Corps of Retired Executives Association or
nities, like those underserved commu- the WBC program has delivered for any successor or other organization that en-
nities particularly in my district and ters into a cooperative agreement (as de-
women-owned small businesses for
scribed under paragraph (2)) with the Admin-
Ms. DAVIDS’ district and all across New many years. This legislation reauthor- istrator to operate the SCORE program.
York and our Nation. izes the program, increases account- ‘‘(B) SCORE FOUNDATION.—The term
I urge my colleagues to support this ability and oversight, and ensures the ‘SCORE Foundation’ means an organization
bipartisan women-owned small busi- program continues to serve our entre- with a mission to support the SCORE Asso-
nesses bill and vote ‘‘yes’’ on H.R. 6441. preneurs in the future. ciation and volunteers of the SCORE pro-
Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I I urge my colleagues to support H.R. gram.
yield 2 minutes to the gentlewoman 6441, and I yield back the balance of my ‘‘(C) SCORE PROGRAM.—The term ‘SCORE
from Pennsylvania (Ms. HOULAHAN). time. program’ means the SCORE program author-
Ms. HOULAHAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise ized by subsection (b)(1)(B).
Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I
today in support of the Women’s Busi- ‘‘(2) COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT.—The Ad-
yield myself the balance of my time. ministrator shall enter into a cooperative
ness Centers Improvement Act, and I Women are vital members of the Na- agreement with the SCORE Association to
thank Representatives DAVIDS and tion’s critical small business commu- carry out the SCORE program, which shall
TENNEY for their work on this very im- nity and the American economy. H.R. include the following requirements:
portant and bipartisan piece of legisla- 6441 will modernize and strengthen ‘‘(A) ADMINISTRATOR DUTIES.—The Admin-
tion. SBA’s WBC program so it can meet the istrator shall—
As our small business owners con- moment and provide the necessary re- ‘‘(i) every 2 years, conduct a financial ex-
tinue to recover from the pandemic, sources to women, particularly the amination of the SCORE Association to en-
Congress must do everything it can to sure that any costs paid for with Federal
ones driven out of the workforce during
ensure access to quality entrepre- funds are allowable, allocable, and reason-
the pandemic. able;
neurial development resources. Not only have Ms. DAVIDS and Ms. ‘‘(ii) review and approve contracts entered
Underscoring the need for this bill, a TENNEY continued to work to improve into by the SCORE Association to provide
recent study in partnership with the the WBC program, but they have ex- goods or services for the SCORE program of
Association of Women’s Business Cen- panded upon our efforts last Congress a value greater than an amount determined
ters found that profits for female busi- by addressing the challenges high- by the Administrator;
ness owners dropped by 26 percent from lighted during the public health emer- ‘‘(iii) maintain a system through which the
2020 to 2021, with average profits of gency. I thank them for this effort. SCORE Association provides documentation
about $47,000 less than male-owned relating to such contracts; and
I urge my colleagues to vote ‘‘yes,’’ ‘‘(iv) within 30 days of the receipt of a
firms. and I yield back the balance of my quarterly report on the achievements of the
The economic pressures of the pan- time. SCORE program submitted by the SCORE
demic have hit women-owned busi- The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Association, reconcile differences between
nesses particularly hard, including in- question is on the motion offered by such report and the performance results of
creasing operating expenses due to sup- the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. the SCORE program reported in a manage-
ply chain disruptions and rising costs. VELÁZQUEZ) that the House suspend the ment information system of the Office of En-
As an entrepreneur myself, I recog- rules and pass the bill, H.R. 6441. trepreneurial Development.
nize the challenges women business ‘‘(B) SCORE ASSOCIATION DUTIES.—The
The question was taken; and (two-
leaders face every day and especially in SCORE Association shall—
thirds being in the affirmative) the ‘‘(i) manage nationwide chapters of the
this moment. It is why I stand before rules were suspended and the bill was SCORE program;
you to talk about the importance of passed. ‘‘(ii) provide annual training to employees
passing the Women’s Business Centers A motion to reconsider was laid on of the SCORE Association on generating and
Improvement Act. the table. using program income from the SCORE pro-
This legislation will make needed im- f gram;
provements to the Small Business Ad- ‘‘(iii) submit documentation to the Admin-
ministration’s successful Women’s SCORE FOR SMALL BUSINESS ACT istrator verifying such annual training is
Business Center program. The bill will OF 2022 completed;
‘‘(iv) separate funds donated to the SCORE
also strengthen the Office of Women’s Ms. VELÁZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I Association from program income and funds
Business Ownership and will improve move to suspend the rules and pass the received pursuant to a cooperative agree-
coordination between the Association bill (H.R. 6450) to amend the Small ment; and
of Women’s Business Centers and the Business Act to reauthorize the SCORE ‘‘(v) maintain and enforce requirements for
SBA. program, and for other purposes. volunteers participating in the SCORE pro-
Furthermore, this legislation allows The Clerk read the title of the bill. gram, including requirements that each such
Congress to increase funding for Wom- The text of the bill is as follows: volunteer shall—
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en’s Business Center programs, which I ‘‘(I) based on the business experience and
H.R. 6450
have been proud to advocate for with knowledge of the volunteer—
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Rep- ‘‘(aa) provide personal counseling, men-
my colleague, Representative MARIE resentatives of the United States of America in toring, and coaching on the process of start-
NEWMAN. Congress assembled, ing, expanding, managing, buying, and sell-
With these additional resources, the SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. ing a business at no cost to individuals who
SBA will be able to advise and train This Act may be cited as the ‘‘SCORE for own, or aspire to own, small business con-
more women entrepreneurs. I have seen Small Business Act of 2022’’. cerns; and
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