U.S. Sen. David Vitter (R-La.), Chairman of the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee, made the following statement regarding the passage of S. 1470, the Recovery Improvements for Small Entities After Disaster Act of 2015 (or RISE After Disaster Act), and S. 1292, HUBZone Revitalization Act of 2015.

“There are many important issues facing the small business community that weigh heavily on our nation’s economy, which is why I am glad to see the RISE After Disaster Act and the HUBZone Revitalization Act pass through the Small Business Committee. We are one step closer to making sure small businesses have the support they need to recover after major disasters,” said Vitter.

Additionally, a bipartisan majority of Committee members supported Chairman Vitter’s Resolution expressing the Sense of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship that the waters of the United States rule will have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses, by a bipartisan vote of 11-8.

Vitter added, “Another major issue affecting small businesses is the EPA’s waters of the U.S. rule, and I am certain that today’s Resolution expressing the Sense of the Senate Small Business Committee will stress the importance of including all affected parties – including America’s small businesses – when issuing major, expensive rules and regulations. WOTUS in particular will have a significant, negative economic impact, which is why I will continue to fight on behalf of America’s small businesses and work to repeal the EPA’s absurd attempt to expand its authority into our backyards.”

Earlier this week marked the beginning of hurricane season, and Vitter introduced the RISE After Disaster Act, which would help small businesses to recover and adapt more quickly after a major disaster. Click here to read more. Vitter and Sen. Angus King (I-Maine), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, introduced legislation, which would ensure that qualified areas affected by major disasters would be eligible for HUBZone status for five years and catastrophic disasters for ten years. Click here to read more. Both bills were reported favorably to the Senate floor in today’s business meeting.

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