WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House Small Business Committee held a full hybrid hearing on the “Overview of the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer Programs.”

Ranking Member Blaine Luetkemeyer’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:

Good morning, and thank you Madam Chair for holding this important hearing on the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer, or SBIR and STTR programs. 

SBIR and STTR’s mission is to support scientific excellence and technological innovation for small businesses. These programs are vital to the success of many small entities and have helped create thousands of new jobs by fostering innovation and stimulating the economy through new cutting-edge research.

SBIR and STTR facilitate public-private partnerships so that firms have the funding they need to develop new technologies that help federal agencies meet their research and development needs. These programs not only create jobs but can also lead to a path for commercialization for many participating firms. 

SBIR and STTR awards are behind the technology in products like iRobot, LASIK eye surgery, Qualcomm wireless communications, 23&Me, and rapid improvements to COVID-19 vaccines.

These programs are not only essential for America’s competitiveness, but also for our national security.  From B-2 bomber technology to threat warning systems, SBIR firms have played a role in critical technologies used by our servicemen and women every day.

Further, SBIR and STTR programs are a good investment for American taxpayers - returning $22 to the economy for every $1 spent on projects at DOD and $33 returned for every $1 at the National Cancer Institute.

As many of you know, Congress last reauthorized the programs in 2017 for a period of 5 years. The programs are currently set to expire on September 30, 2022. While these programs are not perfect, reauthorizing them will ensure stability and continued economic growth while Congress works to streamline and improve the programs. It is our job to better understand and address challenges to the program’s effectiveness, and guarantee that American taxpayer dollars are being spent efficiently, effectively, and in a responsible manner.

I am looking forward to hearing from Mr. Williams on ways to improve SBIR and STTR for small businesses and participating agencies alike.

Now for a couple of housekeeping items. Number one, while I am glad Mr. Williams is here today to discuss these important programs, the Biden Administration is still overlooking the Members of this Committee. We are now 318 days past the April 26th deadline for Secretary Yellen to testify before this Committee. We must hold Secretary Yellen accountable for her decision to blatantly break the law. 

Furthermore, in yesterday’s edition of The Washington Post, we have an advertisement of Ms. Yellen wanting to have a webinar or discussion in regards to the COVID-19 hit to our economy. Would the Paycheck Protection Program be something Ms. Yellen wants to discuss? If that’s the case, then why is she not here?

Madam Chair, by law we are supposed to have Ms. Yellen here, twice this year. I would hope she is working with your staff to schedule those two events.

Item number two, the Committee is still waiting on responses from questions for the record submitted to SBA officials over 9 months ago. I spoke to SBA Administrator Guzman on this two weeks ago and we still haven’t received those responses back. I urge the SBA to promptly respond to these questions quickly. It is very important we get this done.

I look forward to having a substantive discussion on reauthorization and ways to make these programs better for small businesses.

Thank you, Chairwoman. I yield back.

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