Amata and Small Business Committee Hold SBA Oversight Hearing
Washington, D.C. – Tuesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, and the House Small Business Committee conducted a hearing today to review the performance of the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Entrepreneurial Development Offices.
Congresswoman Aumua Amata questions SBA officials during Tuesday’s oversight hearing
“Perhaps the most important duty this committee is tasked with is that of oversight of the SBA. It is essential that we make sure they are doing the job they have been given in assisting our small businesses with the tools they need to succeed,” said Amata. “It is my goal during these hearings to clearly illustrate to the SBA and my colleagues, the lack of investment from the SBA and related agencies in the territories. For too long, we have been underserved by the SBA, and I plan on bringing that to an end. Our small businesses should have the same tools and resources as their counterparts in the states,” stated Amata.
Specifically, the committee examined the SBA’s Office of Entrepreneurial Development (OED), and Office of Veterans Business Development (OVBD), and whether or not improvements are needed to ensure that the SBA is effective in helping the nation’s small firms, without wasting federal funds due to duplicative programs.
During the hearing, Congresswoman Amata questioned SBA officials on federal funds being used for unauthorized programs, asking, “In each of your respective areas, if the funding going to unauthorized SBA created initiatives went instead to the authorized programs you oversee, how many more Small Business Development Centers, Veteran Business Outreach Centers, or similar entrepreneurial assistance centers could have been opened or expanded instead…And could the U.S. Territories, who are underserved by the SBA, have been a possible location?” Both SBA officials responded by stating that the territories were indeed eligible to apply for the development of an entrepreneurial office, just as any state would be.
The Congresswoman and committee will continue their oversight of the SBA in upcoming hearings, which will focus on how the SBA can better serve the American people.
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