[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 116 (Thursday, July 23, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1112]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     INTRODUCTION OF H.R. 3175, THE ASSURING CONTRACTING EQUITY ACT

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                         HON. SUZANNE BONAMICI

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 23, 2015

  Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to introduce H.R. 3175, 
the Assuring Contracting Equity Act.
   This legislation promotes economic development for many of the small 
businesses and communities that were hit the hardest by our country's 
recession and are still struggling to recover.
   As I tour small businesses in my district, I am constantly reminded 
of the critical contribution they make to our communities. But too 
often our small businesses can't access or are unable to take advantage 
of federal contracting opportunities. By raising the contracting goal, 
the government will need to be more proactive in its outreach to small 
businesses. More contracts will help small businesses grow and hire 
more workers, empowering them to continue to give back to our 
communities.
   The Assuring Contracting Equity Act will expand opportunities for 
small businesses to secure contracts with the federal government; 
particularly businesses owned by women, veterans, and minorities. The 
bill also provides increased access to government contracts for small 
businesses located in economically distressed areas known as 
Historically Underutilized Business Zones, or HUBZones.
   In addition, the ACE Act improves accountability and transparency by 
requiring the Small Business Administration to report the percentage of 
all federal contracting dollars that are awarded to small businesses as 
well as direct agencies to prioritize large contractors that maximize 
subcontracts to small businesses.
   In my district and across the country, small business owners are 
striving to succeed. The Assuring Contracting Equity Act could redirect 
an additional $10 billion in business every year to the nation's 
smallest companies, giving entrepreneurs the potential to expand their 
businesses and continue creating jobs and growing our economy.
   I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Assuring 
Contracting Equity Act to provide a greater opportunity for success to 
the small businesses that deserve it the most.

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