FEDERALhearing transcript

Congressional Hearing: Oversight of the SBA Disaster Loan Program

Original title: THE CALM BEFORE THE STORM: OVERSIGHT OF THE SBA'S DISASTER LOAN PROGRAM

January 1, 2015

Small Business Administration Disaster Relief Congressional Oversight Government Accountability Office Small Business Committee

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing examines how the federal government manages financial assistance for small businesses following natural disasters, which directly impacts the speed and availability of recovery funds for affected business owners.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Small business owners

These individuals rely on the SBA disaster loan program for financial recovery following natural disasters.

Small Business Administration

The agency is subject to congressional oversight regarding its management of disaster loan funds.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2015.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on July 8, 2015, to review the effectiveness and management of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) disaster loan program. The session included testimony from government officials and representatives regarding the program's performance and .

Key Facts

The hearing took place on July 8, 2015, in Room 2360 of the Rayburn House Office Building.
The committee focused on oversight of the SBA's disaster loan program.
Congressman Trent Kelly was formally introduced as a new member of the Small Business Committee.
Witnesses included representatives from the GAO and the SBA's Office of Disaster Assistance.
The committee record includes supplemental materials regarding the impact of loans on grant money for Hurricane Sandy victims.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this hearing?

The hearing was held to conduct of the Small Business Administration's disaster loan program to ensure it is functioning effectively.

Who testified at the hearing?

Witnesses included Congressman Chris Smith, William Shear from the GAO, and James Rivera from the SBA.

Why It Matters

News Coverage

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

cross reference100% confidence

Hurricane Sandy Impact

The committee record explicitly links the SBA loan program to complications regarding grant money for Hurricane Sandy victims.

Small Business Administration

Connected Entities

personTrent Kelly“Newest member of the Small Business Committee”Map →

organizationSmall Business Administration“Federal agency responsible for disaster loan programs”Map →

personChris Smith“U.S. Representative for New Jersey's 4th District”Map →

personNydia Velazquez“Ranking Member of the House Committee on Small Business”Map →

personJames Rivera“Associate Administrator, Office of Disaster Assistance at the SBA”Map →

personSteve Chabot“Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business”Map →

organizationGovernment Accountability Office“Federal auditing agency providing oversight”Map →

personWilliam Shear“Director, Financial Markets and Community Investment at the GAO”Map →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100

Significance40
How much this matters to a regular citizen
Controversy10
Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
Entertainment5
Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
Buzz5
Current news / social attention level

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