Service-Disabled Veterans Small Business Continuation Act

Floor Speech

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Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H.R. 5044, the Service-Disabled Veterans Small Business Continuation Act.

H.R. 5044 amends title 38, of the United States Code to clarify the treatment of certain surviving spouses under the contracting goals and preferences of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Nearly 1 in 10 small businesses are owned by veterans and among these veteran-owned businesses, they collectively have generated over $1 trillion in sales.

When the owner of a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business passes away, his or her spouse is permitted to inherit the business and retain priority status to obtain VA contracts in the federal procurement marketplace.

In obtaining goods and services, the VA provides a special preference to firms owned and controlled by veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Surviving spouses of veterans with service-connected disabilities rated at 100 percent are eligible to retain this preferential contracting status for up to 10 years after the veteran's death.

Passing H.R. 5044 would authorize similar treatment for surviving spouses of veterans whose service-connected disabilities are rated less than 100 percent and it would enable these spouses to retain priority status for obtaining contracts for up to three years.

Mr. Speaker, H.R. 5044 protects widows and widowers from any major disruptions to their businesses during one of the most difficult times in their lives, the passing of a loved one who bravely served our country.

Mr. Speaker, our veterans bravely put their lives on the line to defend our freedoms and to keep our nation safe. For those who end up making the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, it is crucial that we honor their sacrifice any way we can by honoring the widows and widowers.

I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R. 5540 to show their gratitude for the sacrifices made by our service men and women, and to maintain the livelihood of their spouses.

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