Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act

Floor Speech

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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 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.

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