Enhancing Small Business Innovation and Research Act passes House 386-41

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson today voted in favor of H.R. 2965, the Enhancing Small Business Innovation and Research Act, legislation that will reauthorize and modernize the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs.  The bill passed the House by a vote of 386-41.

“Dallas is home to a vibrant small business community, and I have worked hard to support it throughout my years in Congress,” said Congresswoman Johnson.  “The Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs are critical tools for creating new jobs and fueling technological innovation, particularly during a recession.  I am proud to vote for legislation to continue and improve both programs.”

The SBIR and STTR programs are the federal government’s largest small business research and development programs.  Since 1992, SBIR has provided 65,000 grants to small companies engaged in cutting-edge research; yearly, SBIR grants result in a $2.2 billion investment in small businesses, helping 1,500 firms get off the ground.

“Here in the Dallas area, we have had a number of SBIR success stories in the agriculture, engineering, and computer industries,” said Jim Berish, Director of the Technology Assistance Center at the North Texas Small Business Development Center.  “These businesses have been significant contributors to economic growth in North Texas during the last several years.”

In addition to reauthorizing SBIR and STTR, the Enhancing Small Business Innovation and Research Act will:

• Help more products make it into the marketplace by expanding commercialization efforts;
• Expand access to SBIR and STTR for rural, veteran-owned, minority-owned and women-owned firms;
• Allow venture capital-backed small businesses to compete for SBIR grants; and
• Cut down on red tape in the SBIR and STTR programs.

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U.S. Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson is the highest-ranking Texan on the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure and a senior member of the Science Committee. She represents the 30th Congressional District of Texas, which, includes Downtown Dallas, Fair Park, Oak Lawn, Old East Dallas, Pleasant Grove, & South Oak Cliff; all of Balch Springs, DeSoto, Hutchins, Lancaster & Wilmer and parts of Cedar Hill, Duncanville, Ferris, Glenn Heights and Ovilla.