WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, made the following comments following the Senate passage of H.R. 2112, which extends the Small Business Innovation and Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs for another 29 days.

“Last night, we reaffirmed our commitment to the thousands of SBIR and STTR winners,” Sen. Landrieu said. “While I am still hopeful my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and in both Chambers will come together to find a long-term reauthorization for these programs that keep our nation on the forefront of defense technology and scientific innovation, I am pleased this invaluable program will not suffer from a lapse in funding.”

The bill provides for an additional temporary extension of SBIR, STTR, and Commercialization Pilot Programs until December 16, 2011. This marks the 14th extension of the SBIR program since 2008.