ms. velazquez: i yield 2 1/2 minutes to the the gentlewoman from california. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized for 2 1/2 minutes. ms. roybal-allard: many americans have more freedom to choose. in my congressional district, 40% of my constituents were uninsured, thousands more were underinsured and living on the brink of financial disaster when facing an illness or accident. with health reform positive change is taking place for them and for individuals, families and small businesses throughout the country. young adults can remain on their parents' insurance until 26. seniors not living in fear are thankful for discounts on brand-named drugs. families of pre-existing conditions are comforted by the new high risk insurance pool and those facing serious illnesses are relieved their insurers can no longer drop them. small businesses which abound in my district and mainstay in the minority communities can take advantage of tax credits to offer health insurance to their employees. a 2009 study by an economist found that without reform, over the n

ms. velazquez: i yield myself as much time as necessary. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized. ms. velazquez: as a result of this repeal legislation, small businesses in the state of illinois will see a tax increase of $1.7 billion. with that, i yield two minutes to the gentleman from connecticut, mr. murphy. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized for two minutes. mr. murphy: thank you very much. madam speaker, when i testified against this repeal before the rules committee, i told the story of a family in my district, the husband lost his job and therefore his insurance because of a debilitating snir. his -- injury. the family faced a choice, either dip into their savings account, their high school son's college fund, or sell their house. they first chose to spend down their savings. when i told the story a republican said, whey they had money they had asset, i don't get it, why should someone else pay their bills? she didn't get it. no one should be forced on the street because one of their family members g

ms. velazquez: i yield 2 1/2 minutes to the the gentlewoman from california. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized for 2 1/2 minutes. ms. roybal-allard: many americans have more freedom to choose. in my congressional district, 40% of my constituents were uninsured, thousands more were underinsured and living on the brink of financial disaster when facing an illness or accident. with health reform positive change is taking place for them and for individuals, families and small businesses throughout the country. young adults can remain on their parents' insurance until 26. seniors not living in fear are thankful for discounts on brand-named drugs. families of pre-existing conditions are comforted by the new high risk insurance pool and those facing serious illnesses are relieved their insurers can no longer drop them. small businesses which abound in my district and mainstay in the minority communities can take advantage of tax credits to offer health insurance to their employees. a 2009 study by an economist found that without reform, over the n

ms. velazquez: i yield 2 1/2 minutes to the the gentlewoman from california. the speaker pro tempore: the gentlewoman is recognized for 2 1/2 minutes. ms. roybal-allard: many americans have more freedom to choose. in my congressional district, 40% of my constituents were uninsured, thousands more were underinsured and living on the brink of financial disaster when facing an illness or accident. with health reform positive change is taking place for them and for individuals, families and small businesses throughout the country. young adults can remain on their parents' insurance until 26. seniors not living in fear are thankful for discounts on brand-named drugs. families of pre-existing conditions are comforted by the new high risk insurance pool and those facing serious illnesses are relieved their insurers can no longer drop them. small businesses which abound in my district and mainstay in the minority communities can take advantage of tax credits to offer health insurance to their employees. a 2009 study by an economist found that without reform, over the n

ms. velazquez: the role of small businesses is critical to creating new jobs. with the economy continuing to face challenges on several fronts we need small firms more than ever. time and again they have generated ideas and know-how that sparks job growth. however, entrepreneurs face challenging economic head winds. small businesses continue facing obstacles assessing capital and still remain flat. given these realities we need to make sure that small firms have resources to expand. the legislation we are considering today does this and extends the authorization of several important small business administration programs. through these initiatives, firms can secure financing, receive training, or exet more effectively for federal contracts. while we must keep these programs operational, it is unfortunate that we are doing so through another temporary extension. last congress, the house passed 14 bills updating all of s.b.a.'s financing and entrepreneurial development programs. however, while the senate was able to report a few measures out of committee, they we