Political Quotes

“I advise my colleagues that after long negotiations, I think we have reached an agreement on the measure to reauthorize the Small Business Administration for the next 3 fiscal years to continue vitally important programs and to add new programs which we think will be of significant benefit to our country. The measure before us now is similar to the bill we passed in early September, and it includes changes passed by the House of Representatives. The negotiations have been very detailed, and we think if we can get to passage of this measure on the House side prior to the adjournment for the remainder of the calendar year that our Nation's small businesses will be greatly aided by this bill. There are certain programs in the Small Business Administration that need to be reauthorized, and that cannot occur without this legislation. Some of the loan programs will continue even without the reauthorization, but the Small Business Technology Transfer Program, known as STTR, the Microloan Program, the 504 Loan Program, the Small Business Competitiveness Demonstration Program, and SBA's cosponsorship authority will expire if there is no reauthorization passed and signed by the President. In addition, the measure that we passed unanimously in early September includes provisions relating to the very important issue of bundling of large Federal contracts. The bill adds a new outreach program for disabled veterans.”