Adriano Espaillat: “Before I begin, I thank Ranking Member Velazquez and Chairman Chabot for their leadership in the Small Business…”

“Before I begin, I thank Ranking Member Velazquez and Chairman Chabot for their leadership in the Small Business Committee, and the colead in this bill, the Congressman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman). Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 6368, Encouraging Small Business Innovators. Mr. Speaker, access to capital remains limited for underrepresented minority- and women-owned small businesses. I hear this concern from many in New York City whose ventures in science and technology are full of promise and potential for success. However, a 2013 report commissioned by the Small Business Administration found that women-owned businesses do not have equal access to capital from the private sector as compared to their male peers. The Small Business Administration's own Office of Advocacy has said that ``there are fewer minority-owned businesses representing high-patenting industries than in all industries.'' Through the Small Business Innovation Research and the Small Business Technology Transfer programs, the Small Business Administration works with partners in 11 Federal agencies, ranging from agriculture to NASA, to support small businesses, and especially those that are minority and disadvantaged owned.…”