Velázquez, Chabot Press for Changes to Women's Procurement Program

Statement

Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), the top Democrat on the House Small Business Committee, and Rep. Steve Chabot (R-OH), the Chairman of the Committee, have written the Small Business Administration (SBA) calling for swifter implementation of improvements to the Women's Procurement Program.

"Female entrepreneurs are a rapidly growing sector of the American economy, but are often left behind when it comes to federal contracts," Velázquez said. "Congress has passed legislation to help more women-owned businesses secure federal work, but SBA hasn't taken the appropriate steps to implement these reforms. We can't shortchange women-owned businesses and I will continue pressing SBA to remedy this situation."

"The Small Business Committee has worked across party lines to identify improvements to the Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contracting Program, and it's the SBA's job to implement those improvements," said Chairman Chabot "It's disappointing but not surprising that this is yet another area in which the SBA has failed to carry out the intent of Congress, and we will continue to hold the SBA accountable."

Velázquez authored the original law creating the Women's Procurement Program and has worked in subsequent years on legislation to improve the program and empower more women-owned businesses to compete in the federal marketplace.

Source