Native American Business Development Enhancement Act of 2009
Sponsor
Rep. Kirkpatrick, Ann (Small Business Committee)
Date
November 17, 2009 111th Congress, 1st Session
FLOOR SITUATION
The House is scheduled to consider H.R. 1834, under suspension of the rules, requiring a two-thirds majority vote for passage. H.R. 1834 was introduced on April 1, 2009, by Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick (D-AZ). The bill was incorporated into H.R. 2352, which passed the House on May 20, 2009, by a vote of 406-15.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
H.R. 1834 authorizes $2 million in each of Fiscal Years 2010 and 2011 for the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs. The bill also authorizes $15 million in Fiscal Year 2010 and $17 million in Fiscal Year 2011 for grants of up to $300,000 for tribal business information centers. These centers assist Native Americans to start and expand small businesses. Finally, H.R. 1834 authorizes $7 million in each of Fiscal Years 2009 and 2010 for grants of up to $300,000 for SBDCs in States with populations made up of over 1 percent Indian tribe members.
Some Members may be concerned that the bill also provides funding to Native Hawaiians, a racial group which is not a tribe. Such financial assistance on the basis of race would likely be subject to "strict scrutiny" in federal courts and is presumptively unconstitutional.
