Meng, Norton, Lee, Johnson, Demings Announce that GAO Agrees to Report on Federal Advertising Contracts with Small Disadvantaged and Minority-Owned Businesses

Statement

U.S. Reps. Grace Meng (D-NY), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA) and Val Demings (D-FL) announced today that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) has agreed to issue a report on federal advertising contracts and subcontracts with small disadvantaged and minority-owned businesses. The Members of Congress co-led a letter asking for the report in June. This report would update the data published in a report issued by the GAO in 2018.

"The federal government is the largest advertiser in the United States and simple fairness demands that media companies owned by people of color and serving communities of color should have the same federal advertising opportunities as other media companies," the Members said. "Today's announcement that the GAO has agreed to our request for a new report on federal advertising contracts is a victory for transparency in government and will help strengthen communities and minority-owned businesses across the country."

Research for the report is expected to begin in January of 2023.

The response from GAO follows, with one sentence containing personal contact information removed.

Congressional Requesters:

Thank you for your letter requesting that the Government Accountability Office provide an update to our 2018 report on federal advertising contracts and subcontracts with small disadvantaged businesses and minority-owned businesses.

GAO accepts your request as work that is within the scope of its authority. At the current time, we anticipate that staff with the required skills will be available to initiate an engagement in about five months. Your request has been assigned to Ms. Michelle Sager, Managing Director, Strategic Issues. Closer to the time GAO can start this engagement, Ms. Sager or a member of her team will contact the staff points of contact to confirm that this request continues to be your priority for us. As applicable, we will also be in contact with the cognizant Inspector General's office to ensure that we are not duplicating efforts. If an issue arises during this coordination, we will consult with you regarding its resolution.

Sincerely yours,

A. Nicole Clowers
Managing Director
Congressional Relations

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