Chairman Williams Cheers Passage of the National Defense Authorization Act in Victory for Veteran Entrepreneurs

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5009, the National Defense Authorization Act, which includes the full authorization of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Boots to Business program for four years. Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, issued the following statement.

"The SBA's Boots to Business program has provided assistance to tens of thousands of veterans starting their entrepreneurial journey," said Chairman Williams. "America's service members put their lives on the line for us, and we owe it to them to provide the resources they need to be successful in civilian life. The Boots to Business program does just that, capitalizing on service members' unique skills to help them to become successful entrepreneurs and fully achieve the American Dream."

The text of the bill can be found here.

Background:

The National Defense Authorization Actincludes one of the first bills the House Committee on Small Business passed in 2023, of which Congressman Williams was an original cosponsor, codifying the SBA's Boots to Business Program. Originally beginning as an initiative in 2012, every Congress since 2013 has attempted to codify the Boots to Business program. The Boots to Business program has proven to be successful in assisting prospective veteran entrepreneurs to be successful in civilian life. Part of the Transition Assistance Program, Boots to Business has grown to help nearly 24,000 returning service members annually.

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Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.