Brad Schneider

I want to thank the House Small Business Committee and Chairwoman Nydia Velazquez for allowing us to host today's field hearing here in Wheeling.

I claim the time in opposition to the amendment, though I am not opposed to it. The Acting CHAIR. Without objection, the gentleman from Illinois is recognized for 5 minutes. There was no objection.

Our legislation would codify the program into law for the next 5 years.

The Boots to Business program has helped more than 50,000 servicemembers and veterans bridge this gap.

Transitioning servicemembers deserve our support as they move from military to civilian life.

The ability to have full access to capital, full access to banking services is crucial

The Conrad State 30 program allows foreign doctors studying in medical schools, it grants them a visa if they serve in some of these medically underserved areas for at least 3 years.

Our immigration laws, our outdated laws stifle industries like the ones you have been talking about.

We are also seeing a severe shortage of physicians. Expected to be as many as 120,000 by the year 2030.

Thank you. And I want to thank the Committee for hosting this hearing on celebrating our small business heroes.

The need for significant federal investment in infrastructure is undeniable.

FEMA estimates that for every dollar invested in flood mitigation, there are four dollars of public benefits.

Infrastructure to my district means more than roads and bridges--and any federal infrastructure package must start with a comprehensive approach.

We have to find a way to ensure data security, create the opportunities through rural broadband and other digital access.

We have talked about a bit is cybersecurity.

We need to absolutely make rural broadband part of whatever infrastructure conversation we have

Make no little plans because they otherwise have no magic to stir the soul.

I share the concerns of my colleague for the farmers in our State.

Small business is the engine that grows our economy. It creates the majority of the new jobs.

We are making the war between Israel and Iran more possible every day.

Last year, I introduced AOSA, the Accelerate Our Startups Act. The idea is to invest in these incubators and accelerators.

Congress must seek ways to help rural communities attract the resources to invest in small businesses.

I urge my colleagues to support this amendment, and I yield back the balance of my time.

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will designate the amendment. The text of the amendment is as follows: Page 20, line 7, before the period insert ``, including an identification of the foreign state or foreign…

I would also like to commend the work of my colleagues, David Cicilline and Lee Zeldin, for their work on H.R. 5898.