On the recordApril 21, 2015
The underlying bill before us today authorizes a small business advisory board to advise the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on small business concerns and practices. I agree that small businesses must have a seat at the table when Federal regulators make decisions with wide-ranging consequences for our economy, and I appreciate that this legislation already encourages the participation of women-owned and minority-owned small businesses on the board. Women and minority entrepreneurs often have unique perspectives and concerns, and the CFPB would be well served by seeking and heeding their input. Similarly, as a member of the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, I believe that veteran entrepreneurs have unique perspectives and experiences in the economy, and I believe that the small business advisory board would be strengthened by the inclusion of veteran small- business owners. To that end, my amendment simply encourages the CFPB Director to also include veteran-owned small businesses in the membership of the small business advisory board. After fighting to protect the American Dream for all of us, many veterans have realized that same American Dream by starting their own business upon their return to civilian life. We owe it to our returning heroes to support their success. I urge support for my amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
