Schneider, Spano Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Support Veteran Entrepreneurship Program

Today, U.S. Representatives Brad Schneider (D-IL) and Ross Spano (R-FL) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to statutorily authorize the Boots to Business (B2B) program that helps transitioning service members to start and grow businesses.

Administered through the Office of Veteran Business Development in the Small Business Administration (SBA), the B2B program offers transitioning service members and military spouses a foundational two-day, in-person course for an introduction to business ownership which can be followed by optional online courses on topics including market research, business fundamentals, and revenue readiness.

Since B2B launched in 2013, more than 50,000 service members and spouses have participated in the program. The Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2019 would authorize this program for five years.

"Our veterans served our country with honor, and they deserve our support as they transition from military to civilian life," said Schneider. "Many of the leadership, problem solving, and communications skills learned in the armed forces translate well to entrepreneurial and business success. The Boots to Business program does crucial work helping veterans start and grow businesses, and I'm proud to work with my colleague Congressman Ross Spano on the bipartisan effort to ensure this program can continue serving veterans in our communities."

"Today I am proud to introduce the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2019, which authorizes a ‘Boots to Business' program to educate veterans on how to start and run their own small businesses," said Spano. "I believe we need to fully equip our troops to defend our country abroad, but we also need to support them when they return home. This program will ensure our service members and their spouses are given the tools they need to succeed in starting their own businesses."

"As a nation, our service members and their families deserve not only our immense gratitude, but resources to ease the transition to civilian life when they return home," said House Small Business Committee Chairwoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY). "That is why I am proud to support the Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2019, a bill that codifies SBA's business mentorship ‘Boots to Business' program into law for five additional years. This program has a proven track record of success in helping our hardworking service members apply their drive and leadership to start and grow Main Street businesses across America. I thank Rep. Schneider and Rep. Spano for working in a bipartisan manner to bring forth this legislation."

The most recent U.S. Census recorded 2.4 million veteran-owned businesses employing 5.7 million individuals. Veterans are 45 percent more likely to be self-employed than those with no military experience.