[Pages H728-H730]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

NATIVE AMERICAN ENTREPRENEURIAL OPPORTUNITY ACT

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 7102) to establish an Office of Native American
Affairs within the Small Business Administration, and for other
purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:

H.R. 7102

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Native American
Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act''.

SEC. 2. OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

The Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.) is amended--
(1) by redesignating section 49 (15 U.S.C. 631 note) as
section 50; and
(2) by inserting after section 48 (15 U.S.C. 657u) the
following:

``SEC. 49. OFFICE OF NATIVE AMERICAN AFFAIRS.

``(a) Definitions.--In this section:
``(1) Assistant administrator.--The term `Assistant
Administrator' means the Assistant Administrator for Native
American Affairs appointed under subsection (c).
``(2) Indian tribe.--The term `Indian Tribe' has the
meaning given the term `Indian tribe' in section 8(a)(13).
``(3) Native hawaiian organization.--The term `Native
Hawaiian Organization' has the meaning given the term in
section 8(a)(15).
``(4) Office.--The term `Office' means the Office of Native
American Affairs described in this section.
``(b) Establishment.--
``(1) In general.--There is established within the
Administration the Office of Native American Affairs, which
shall be responsible for establishing a working relationship
with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations by
targeting programs of the Administration relating to
entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access
to--
``(A) establish or expand small business concerns owned and
controlled by individuals who are members of Indian Tribes or
Native Hawaiian Organizations; and
``(B) promote economic development in Indian country (as
defined in section 1151 of title 18, United States Code).
``(2) Connection with other programs.--To the extent
reasonable, the Office shall educate Indian Tribes and Native
Hawaiian Organizations about programs administered by other
Federal agencies related to the interests described in
paragraph (1).
``(c) Assistant Administrator.--The Office shall be headed
by an Assistant Administrator for Native American Affairs,
who shall--
``(1) be appointed by and report to the Administrator;
``(2) have knowledge of Native American cultures and
experience providing culturally tailored small business
development assistance to Native Americans;
``(3) provide assistance to Indian Tribes and Native
Hawaiian Organizations and small business concerns owned and
controlled by individuals who are members of Indian Tribes or
Native Hawaiian Organizations;
``(4) formulate policies, and promote policies and existing
programs, to better address the entrepreneurial, capital
access, business development, and contracting needs of
persons described in paragraph (3);
``(5) collaborate with Associate Administrators within the
Administration and officials of other Federal agencies to
develop policies and plans to implement programs of the
Administration to holistically address the needs described in
paragraph (4);
``(6) provide assistance, including grants, contracts,
cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance, to
Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations, or to
private

[[Page H729]]

nonprofit organizations governed by members of Indian Tribes
or Native Hawaiian Organizations that have the experience and
capability to use the assistance to--
``(A) deploy training, counseling, workshops, educational
outreach, and supplier events; and
``(B) access the entrepreneurial, capital, and contracting
programs of the Administration;
``(7) assist the Administrator in conducting, or conduct,
Tribal consultation to solicit input and facilitate
discussion of potential modifications to programs and
procedures of the Administration; and
``(8) recommend annual budgets for the Office.
``(d) Report to Congress.--On an annual basis until the
termination date, the Assistant Administrator shall submit to
Congress a report on the effectiveness of the Office of
Native American Affairs that includes the number of clients
served in Tribal communities, the number of consultations
conducted, and the number of trainings held in Tribal
country.
``(e) Termination.--The authority under this section shall
terminate seven years after the date of the enactment of this
section.''.

SEC. 3. COMPLIANCE WITH CUTGO.

No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act.

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Williams) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.

General Leave

Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
I rise today in support of H.R. 7102, the Native American
Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, introduced by Representatives Davids
of Kansas and Crane of Arizona.
This bill would codify into law the Office of Native American
Affairs, which has been providing services like counseling, training,
and Tribal consultations for many years.
Additionally, this bill installs specific reporting requirements from
the office. If we are going to be spending taxpayer dollars providing a
service, it is critical we understand how effectively the services are
being performed.
This bill would not appropriate any additional funds or expand
government in any way, but it would provide Congress with better
oversight and performance metrics to ensure that this office is
performing to its fullest extent.
Native American entrepreneurs, Tribal-owned corporations, and Native
American small businesses are vital to their local economics.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Davids and Representative Crane
for their work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7102,
and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased that we are considering H.R. 7102, the
Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act.
Let me begin by commending Ms. Davids for her leadership and
bipartisan efforts to codify the Office of Native American Affairs at
SBA. She is a valued member of the Committee on Small Business and has
remained committed to working with stakeholders to make this bill a
reality.
The office has been a tremendous resource for American Indians,
Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians seeking to launch and grow their
small businesses. Throughout the year, it engages in several outreach
activities, including consultations, development and distribution of
promotional materials, and participation in national economic
development conferences.
Codifying the office would ensure that Tribal small businesses have
access to SBA's full range of business development tools regardless of
the administration.
Importantly, the legislation requires that the assistant
administrator report directly to the Administrator, ensuring the voice
of the Tribal communities will be heard at SBA.
I also thank Mr. Crane for joining Ms. Davids in her efforts, and I
strongly support this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I urge Members to support the bill, and I reserve the
balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Arizona (Mr. Crane).
Mr. CRANE. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for yielding me time.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to co-introduce this legislation to
officially establish the Office of Native American Affairs at the Small
Business Administration, and I thank Representative Davids for her
leadership on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to represent over half of Arizona's Tribes.
Something I hear often is there is a need for economic growth and
opportunity.
Tribal entrepreneurs who run businesses on reservations face complex
hurdles when it comes to understanding tax implications, property
rights, regulatory burdens, and lending. Tribal entrepreneurs should
have the ability to access SBA's programs just like anyone else, but in
reality, these communities do not experience adequate access or
outreach.
Most importantly, they need specialized expertise to assist them in
navigating the unique complexities of running a business on a
reservation--complexities mostly created by us, the Federal Government.
Economic development in our Tribal communities is crucial. I am
hopeful that establishing the Office of Native American Affairs into
statute will bring attention to resources the Small Business
Administration can provide to Tribal businessowners and encourage the
office to continue developing new methods for outreach to ensure that
Tribal businesses are not overlooked. This bill would also ensure that
Congress can practice proper oversight of the office's activities and
effectiveness going forward.
I encourage representatives from this office to come out and visit
Tribal communities in my district and begin a dialogue with small
business owners who may be unaware that this office even exists. Doing
so will allow the Office of Native American Affairs to adjust and
enhance their programs so they can best serve Tribal small business
owners.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as she may consume to
the gentlewoman from Kansas (Ms. Davids).
Ms. DAVIDS of Kansas. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from New
York (Ms. Velazquez) for yielding.
Mr. Speaker, it is no secret that our Nation's entrepreneurs face
challenges in starting and operating small businesses. Finding a
skilled workforce, establishing an effective online presence, and
building a customer base are hurdles common to all small business
owners.
However, our Native American small business owners face these
challenges in a more severe way. Today, I will highlight a few reasons
for that disparity.
First, Native Americans are twice as likely to live in poverty as
compared to other Americans. This significantly impacts their ability
to use savings and assets to fund their small businesses, to access
credit, and to take on the risk of entrepreneurship.
Second, these businessowners face geographical barriers, with longer
distances for supply deliveries and a lack of reliable broadband and
telephone service. These physical obstacles make networking, finding
mentors, and reaching out to a consumer base a bit more difficult,
ultimately reducing their chances of success.
Third, Native Americans who are entrepreneurs often face greater
hurdles in attracting private investment and accessing Federal
contracting opportunities. Addressing these challenges is crucial to
leveling the playing field for Tribal small business communities and
bolstering our overall economy.
Currently, the U.S. Small Business Administration's Office of Native
American Affairs works diligently to connect Native businessowners with
entrepreneurial development, lending, and procurement programs.
However, the absence of a congressional mandate for this office limits
its capacity and

[[Page H730]]

leaves it vulnerable to changes from one administration to the next.
That is why we really need to pass this Native American
Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act. This bill would codify the SBA's
Office of Native American Affairs into Federal law, establishing an
assistant administrator role to oversee operations and report directly
to SBA leadership. It would also require the office to report to
Congress on its successes in Indian Country.
Native-owned businesses employ over 300,000 Americans and are vital
drivers of our national economy. These Tribal businesses deserve a seat
at the table to advocate not only for the challenges that I mentioned
earlier but also for the successes and achievements that they have.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Congressman Crane, my Republican colleague and
co-lead on this, for his partnership in introducing this bill. I urge
Members on both sides of the aisle to stand united in support of this
crucial legislation and vote in favor of successful entrepreneurship in
Tribal communities.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers. I am
prepared to close, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, Native American-owned businesses are powerful economic
engines, contributing over $33 billion to the U.S. economy every year
and employing more than 200,000 people in their communities.

{time} 1800

By enhancing the Office of Native American Affairs, SBA will be able
to work on behalf of Indian Country and better target resources to
Indian Tribes.
I once again thank Representatives Davids and Crane for their
bipartisan work to provide assistance to these critically important
businesses and entrepreneurs.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support
this commonsense legislation brought to us by Congresswoman Davids and
Congressman Crane, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 7102.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and
nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.

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