Government Agencies and Small Businesses
Once again, the Democratic Party is fighting for small businesses, with a bill that requires government agencies to buy at least a quarter of their goods and services from small businesses. Sponsored in the House by Democratic Congressman Bruce Braley, along with a couple dozen co-sponsors, the bipartisan legislation would strengthen the current law, which sets the bar lower and allows agencies to negotiate for even less:
At an April 19 hearing on the bill, Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., said the new goal was needed because the administration has failed to meet the current 23 percent goal for the last five years. This costs small businesses $4.5 billion in business annually, said Velazquez, who chairs the House Small Business Committee.
According to Washington Technology (WT), President Bush has not said he will veto the bill, even though Bush administration officials are opposed to stronger goals. At the same time, WT also reports, some members of Congress want to increase it even further than the bill's current 25-percent standard.
It's important to strengthen small businesses, and the Democratic Party continues to fight on their behalf.
