ms. velazquez: thank you. the role of small businesses in moving the economy forward has never been more important. making up over 99% of all u.s. firms, they are critical to innovation, wealth creation, and most importantly, employment gains. many look to the s.b.a. for assistance using its loan, contracting and training programs to start up or expand. unfortunately, the legislation before us, while seemingly uncontroversial, could make it harder for small businesses to access the very tools and resources. this bill is pass -- if passed will break with long standing house precedent and choose winners and losers among s.b.a. programs. by doing so, it will create confusion among small firms seeking to use the agency's initiatives. as many of you know, since september 30, 2006, the s.b.a. has been operating under a serious -- a series of 12 temporary extensions. while this ex--- while these extensions have varied in length, they have always treated all of the agency's programs and initiatives equally. this has r

ms. velazquez each will control 20 minutes. mr. graves: i ask unanimous consent that all members have five legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material under the bill in question. the speaker pro tempore: without objection, so ordered. mr. graves: i yield myself such time as i may consume. the speaker pro tempore: the gentleman is recognized. mr. graves: america's 27 million small businesses drive the u.s. economy. those small businesses have created 64% of our net new jobs over the last 15 years. strong, vibrant economies are built from the ground up and as our nation's entrepreneurs are making decisions to take risks and invest, they need to know their elected officials are looking out for them and providing them with the certainty they need to have confidence moving forward that confidence will result in increased economic output and a better way of life for all american thesms legislation we have before us is a simple extension of programs overseen by the small business administration thro