STEVE KNIGHT: “I want to thank the chairman for his hard work and for his leadership, and I want to thank my partner in this…”

“I want to thank the chairman for his hard work and for his leadership, and I want to thank my partner in this, Congresswoman Murphy, for her cosponsoring of this bill and for her work on this important piece of legislation. A 21st century military requires a 21st century acquisition process, one that is agile, efficient, and effective. I represent California's 25th District, and nowhere will you find a more exemplary place that demonstrates the important role that small businesses play in both our aerospace and defense industrial base. {time} 1430 I see firsthand the innovative effect small businesses make and how they can positively impact government functioning. The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer--SBIR and STTR--programs are critical to this impact. Now that these programs have been reauthorized until 2022, it is important that we continue to focus on spurring innovation. That is why I introduced H.R. 2763, the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Improvements Act of 2017. My bill reinforces agency accountability by requiring the Small Business Administration to provide Congress with better information and reasonable, hard deadlines. It clarifies congressional intent of the previous authorization to ensure that taxpayers reap the benefits of SBIR and STTR programs by tying them to long-term projects at the DOD.…”