Adriano Espaillat: “I want to thank the new Chair of the House Small Business Committee Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez for her leadership on…”

“I want to thank the new Chair of the House Small Business Committee Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez for her leadership on this issue and for working with me during the 115th Congress when the Encouraging Small Business Innovation Act first passed in the House. I also want to congratulate Congressman Rouda on his success in moving this issue forward in the 116th Congress and thank him for his commitment to spur innovation and address the issue of underrepresentation of minorities in the small business community. The Encouraging Small Business Innovation Act is thoughtful and constructive legislation. Even in this modern day, we have heard from many minority and women-owned small businesses that they continue to face institutional challenges to growing their businesses. A 2013 report commissioned by the Small Business Administration found that women-owned small businesses do not have equal access to capital from the private sector as compared to their male peers.…”