Dr. Ruiz Small Business Amendment Passes House with Unanimous Bipartisan Support

Press Release

Dr. Raul Ruiz's (D-Palm Desert) amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 1960, passed the House with unanimous bipartisan support. The Ruiz Amendment would strengthen the ability of small businesses to provide cybersecurity solutions to the federal government.

"This common sense amendment is a win for small businesses in the 36th District and across the country, and I am very pleased that so many of my Democratic and Republican colleagues came together to pass this provision overwhelmingly," said Dr. Ruiz. "Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and the drivers of innovation, and my amendment will level the playing field for our small businesses and provide greater opportunity for them to innovate, compete, and create jobs while working to address our growing national cybersecurity threats."

The Ruiz amendment paves the way for the establishment of a small business cybersecurity office within the U.S. Department of Defense. Specifically, the amendment requires the U.S. Secretary of Defense to outline the feasibility of establishing an office solely devoted to promoting the role of small businesses in providing cybersecurity solutions to the federal government. This office would increase the ability of small businesses to compete with larger cybersecurity companies and foster cost-efficient national cybersecurity solutions.

Source