On the recordMay 31, 2011
The legislation we have before us is a short-term extension of programs that helps our Nation's small businesses. Last week, the House passed the bill by voice vote to extend these programs for 4 months until the end of the fiscal year. Unfortunately, that bill was used as a vehicle to pass the PATRIOT Act authorization. So we have a new bill before us today. Like the bill the House passed last week, this legislation extends the authorization of the Small Business Innovative Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs until the end of the fiscal year. These two programs provide R&D dollars to small businesses to create jobs, spur innovative ideas to the market, and solve Federal agency problems, all at no additional cost to the government. Secondly, the bill extends for 2 months, until July 31, 2011, the authorization of several other programs of the Small Business Administration. Among them is the pre-disaster mitigation program that provides loans to small businesses so they can implement technology that will reduce the impact of disasters on their operations. {time} 1810 With the recent devastation we have seen in the Midwest, including in my home State of Missouri, and with the hurricane season right around the corner, it's imperative that this program continue for small firms who wish to bolster their disaster plans. Mr.…
