Political Quotes

“Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2749, as amended, the Protecting Business Opportunities for Veterans Act. I thank General Bergman and Ms. Kuster of New Hampshire for introducing this. The Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations has worked hard to ensure that our service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses are provided the protections and support they need from the VA to remain competitive in the Federal contracting process. Congress granted Federal Government contracting preferences to small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans because we want our veteran entrepreneurs to thrive. This bill, introduced by Representatives Bergman and Kuster, closes a loophole utilized by some that pass through contracts to non-veteran- owned businesses. This practice is unfair to the thousands of small- business owners who are actually serving and owned by service-disabled veterans who play by the rules. The bill ensures that only our veteran entrepreneurs get this preference by closing the loophole. It is smart, it is the right thing to do, and I urge its passage. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.”