I thank the gentleman for yielding. I claim the time in opposition to this very flawed piece of legislation here this afternoon. It is flawed in many ways. First of all, it doesn't do anything to get more control at our southern border. We…

I have been a supporter, the principal supporter on the Republican side on the H-2B program over the years and also in support of H-1Bs.

The American taxpayers are paying for this, and this committee ought to be working on that.

We have people coming up principally from Honduras and Guatemala and El Salvador, some on caravans.

I want to thank Representative Case who had the opportunity to serve some years ago, and he had a sabbatical there for a while and now he is back and better than ever.

We have jurisdiction, oversight over the DEA, the Drug Enforcement Administration, in this committee.

none of that is as important, as far as I am concerned, as the backbone of the American economy. And that is America's small business, about 30 million of those.

one thing that we do do is work together in a bipartisan manner and that is one of the reasons this is one of the most productive Committees I believe in the House

We could be working on improving control at our borders, and it is a real problem.

It is not good for the country. The American taxpayers are paying for this.

We could be working on the record number of opioid deaths in this country, 70,000 over the last year alone.

You play a critically important role by representing over 30 million small businesses that operate all across the country.

To put it simply, you are the driving force in the American economy.

You deserve the ability to operate freely without the Federal Government causing roadblocks and getting in your way.

This bipartisan legislation introduced by myself and Chairwoman Velazquez and cosponsored by Mr. Balderson, aims to increase the defensive measures available for small businesses undergoing or concerned about a cyberattack.

Information technology is a necessity for small businesses because it equips them with the tools they need to be competitive in the global economy.

Cyber planning assistance will encourage small businesses to take a more proactive approach to defending themselves from cyberattacks.

This bipartisan legislation establishes a cyber counseling certification program in lead SBDCs to better assist small businesses with planning and implementing cybersecurity measures.

I also want to thank the gentlelady for working in a bipartisan fashion as this Committee has done over the years in passing legislation that both sides agree on.

That means we must give small businesses the confidence they need to engage with the Federal agencies tasked with protecting them.

This amendment makes clear to the public the intended application and effective date of the Small Business Runway Extension Act of 2018 as envisioned by Congress.

I just want to also commend Mr. Delgado and Mr. Joyce, Dr. Joyce, for working together to put forward some legislation which I really do believe will make it easier for small businesses to comply with Federal regulations.

It is truly refreshing with everything else that is going on in Congress and the administration to come to this Committee and actually work together in producing legislation that will have a positive effect on America's small businesses…

We have heard from small business owners, cybersecurity experts, and government officials, and there is no question that improving cybersecurity for America's small businesses should be an urgent priority for most small firms.

Unfortunately, small businesses are becoming increasingly popular targets for cyber criminals.