Political Quotes

“Mr. President, along with my distinguished colleague Senator Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, I rise today to introduce the Section 8(a) Improvements Act of 2010. As the Chair of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, I have held a number of hearings and roundtables on the issues affecting small businesses that contract with the Federal Government. The Committee has repeatedly heard from small businesses throughout the country that more needs to be done to level the playing field and help our small businesses win Federal contracts. The legislation that I am introducing today seeks to improve access to Federal contracts for small businesses, particularly for socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses. It also represents the third in a series of steps that the Committee is taking to address the disparities and inequalities that currently exist in the Federal procurement process. As I have explained in previous statements before this chamber, as the largest purchaser in the world, the Federal Government is uniquely positioned to offer new and reliable business opportunities for our small firms. Government contracts are one of the easiest and most inexpensive ways the government can help to immediately increase sales for America's entrepreneurs, leading to the creation of new jobs and helping to move our economy forward. When large businesses get government contracts, they are able to absorb that new work into their existing workforce.…”