Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Reporting Act of 2024
Floor Speech
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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7985) to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to submit to Congress a report on the entrepreneurial challenges facing entrepreneurs with a disability, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7985
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 ``Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Reporting Act of 2024''. SEC. 2. REPORT ON ENTREPRENEURSHIP CHALLENGES OF ENTREPRENEURS WITH DISABILITIES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small Business Administration shall submit to Congress a report on the challenges that entrepreneurs with a disability encounter with starting and operating a business, including--
(1) an assessment of the challenges and needs of entrepreneurs with a disability;
(2) a description of the resources and support that the Small Business Administration provides to entrepreneurs with a disability;
(3) a description of outreach to entrepreneurs with a disability by the Small Business Administration, including by district and regional offices of the Small Business Administration, small business development centers (as defined in section 3(t) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632(t))), and women's business centers (as defined in section 29(a) of such Act (15 U.S.C. 656(a)));
(4) a description of any joint efforts between offices of the Small Business Administration or the Small Business Administration and other Federal agencies to advance the goal of supporting the economic success of entrepreneurs with a disability;
(5) any deficiencies in the resources and support described under paragraph (2);
(6) a description of the use of, and access to, resources of the Administration by entrepreneurs with a disability; and
(7) any recommendations for legislative actions that are necessary to address the challenges or needs of entrepreneurs with a disability that are identified in the report.
(b) Compliance With CUTGO.--No additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in full support of H.R. 7985, the Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Reporting Act of 2024, introduced by Representatives McGarvey and Molinaro.
This legislation will require the SBA to issue a report to Congress on the challenges individuals with disabilities face when starting a business. Further, it will require the SBA to look at resources across the Federal Government that assist individuals with disabilities.
The Government Accountability Office estimates that there are nearly 50 programs across nine Federal agencies that support employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. However, Federal agencies often fail to coordinate or collaborate on such programs to ensure that their efforts are not duplicated and are working as efficiently as possible. The Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Reporting Act of 2024 will require the SBA to look at this fragmented system and do its part to consolidate and streamline those efforts.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives McGarvey and Molinaro for their leadership on this important issue and for introducing this bill.
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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.
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Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, we have held hearings this year that have highlighted the great work of disabled entrepreneurs across the country. I thank Representatives McGarvey and Molinaro again for offering this solution to ensure the government is working efficiently to offer these individuals the resources that are already available.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
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