WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, made the following comments after the Senate’s passage of S. 990.

“Remember this is America; we do big things,” Senator Landrieu said.  “We created the technology to advance the B2-Bomber; we improved the radiator in the Bradley tank.  And we did these things, and made this technology, with the small businesses, not giant corporations, through the SBIR and STTR programs.   These programs give our country the opportunity to stay on the forefront of defense technology and scientific innovation.  The small businesses we partner with have said they are tired of the three-year rollercoaster of short extensions.  If we are pro-business and value innovation, we must keep these programs alive and give them stability.  I am hopeful my colleagues in the House will take up this legislation and pass it before it expires in 11 days.” 

The bill provides for an additional temporary extension of programs under the Small Business Act and the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and passes a one-year extension until May 31, 2012 for the SBIR and STTR programs.    This marks the 11^th extension of the SBIR and STTR programs since 2008.