Yesterday, Congressman John Curtis (R-UT) released the following statement after his bill, H.R. 246, Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019, passed the House of Representatives. The bipartisan legislation would bring federal investment to small businesses in rural America by helping more small businesses access federal programs such as SBIR and STTR. To learn more about the bill, click here. “I am proud that my home state of Utah has fostered a thriving tech hub and innovation marketplace, where the tech industry grew faster last year than any other state in the nation,” said Curtis. “But there is still more work to be done there and across the country. This bill reinforces my commitment to small business success by stimulating technological innovation through the Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR program. I was pleased to work with Rep. Abby Finkenauer to create this legislation that will ensure these small businesses have a voice in the procurement process and can compete on a level playing field to have a chance at success.” Rep. Curtis and cosponsor Rep. Finkenauer (D-IA) sat down to discuss their legislation; click here for video. The Congressman also spoke on the House floor yesterday afternoon, championing the legislation. For full text and video, see below.

 

Via YouTube

The complete speech, as prepared for delivery, is below: Thank you, Ranking Member Chabot [for yielding time].  I rise in support of H.R. 246, the Stimulating Innovation through Procurement Act of 2019. I am pleased to lead as an original coauthor, and thank Ms. Finkenauer for her collaboration and effort on this important legislation. Much of this country’s success can be attributed to pioneering individuals and small companies—folks who have discovered a problem and developed an efficient, cost-effective solution.  Innovation, research, and advancement in technology is the major driver in today’s post-modern world and it is critical that we continue promoting the development of new and advanced technologies.    I am proud that my home state of Utah has fostered a thriving tech hub and innovation marketplace, where the tech industry grew faster last year than any other state in the nation. But there is still more work to be done there and across the country.  This bill reinforces my commitment to small business success by stimulating technological innovation through the Small Business Innovation Research, or SBIR program. Through critical acquisition personnel into the SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer programs, this legislation will ensure these small businesses have a voice in the procurement process and can compete on a level playing field to have a chance at success. At zero cost to the taxpayer, this bill is a common sense, forward-leaning bill that protects federal investments into innovation and technological research by small businesses and helps these innovators succeed.  I urge my colleagues to support the bill and yield back the balance of my time.

###