[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 94 (Tuesday, June 3, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H2395-H2396]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
PLAIN LANGUAGE IN CONTRACTING ACT
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 787) to require plain language and the inclusion of
key words in covered notices that are clear, concise, and accessible to
small business concerns, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 787
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Plain Language in
Contracting Act''.
SEC. 2. ACCESSIBILITY AND CLARITY IN COVERED NOTICES FOR
SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS.
(a) In General.--Each covered notice shall be written in a
manner--
(1) such that a small business concern can easily
understand the intent of the covered notice; and
(2) that--
(A) is clear, concise, and well-organized; and
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, follows other best
practices appropriate to the subject or field of the covered
notice and the intended audience of the covered notice.
(b) Inclusion of Key Words in Covered Notices.--Each
covered notice shall, to the maximum extent practicable,
include key words in the description of the covered notice
such that a small business concern seeking contract
opportunities using the single, Government-wide point of
entry described under section 1708 of title 41, United States
Code, can easily identify and understand such covered notice.
(c) Rulemaking.--Not later than 90 days after the date of
the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Small
Business Administration shall issue rules to carry out this
section.
(d) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Covered notice.--The term ``covered notice'' means a
notice pertaining to small business concerns published by a
Federal agency on the single Government-wide point of entry
described under section 1708 of title 41, United States Code.
(2) Small business act definitions.--The terms ``Federal
agency'' and ``small business concern'' have the meanings
given those terms, respectively, in section 3 of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632).
SEC. 3. NO ADDITIONAL FUNDS AUTHORIZED.
No additional funds are authorized to carry out the
requirements of this Act.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Williams) and the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. McGarvey)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 787, the Plain Language
in Contracting Act, introduced by Representatives LaLota, Thanedar, and
Tran.
The Plain Language in Contracting Act is a vital piece of legislation
designed to limit the cumbersome language used in government contract
solicitations. This will empower small businesses to have a greater
ability to compete for valuable government contracts.
The number of small businesses contracting with the government has
been shrinking for years, and over the past few years the Committee on
Small Business has heard firsthand that excessive red tape and unclear
government-speak have made working and contracting with the government
more difficult and costly for small businesses.
Currently, government contract solicitations are written in an overly
complex way that is difficult to navigate unless someone is an attorney
or contract specialist. One study found that only 3 percent of
government contracts are written in a way that someone without a
college degree could understand.
Small businesses often lack the resources to hire an army of
attorneys and contract specialists needed to fully understand these
contracts, which creates difficulties in submitting successful bids.
The wonky nature of this so-called government-speak has contributed to
the shocking loss of small businesses in government contracting.
H.R. 787 will finally remove this unnecessary barrier facing small
businesses by forcing the government to take commonsense action and
write contract solicitations using simple, plain language.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support H.R. 787, the
Plain Language in Contracting Act, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. McGARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleagues, Representatives LaLota and Tran,
for their work on this legislation.
Mr. Speaker, the complexity of the government's procurement process
and requirements can be overwhelming to small businesses, including
those seeking a Federal contract for the first time.
This government-speak, words we only find in government contracting
documents like requests for proposals or solicitations, compound the
complexity and may disincentivize firms from bidding.
This bill attempts to add clarity by requiring documents to be
written in a plain way that helps firms more easily understand what the
government is buying.
Small firms should not be put off from working with the government
because available opportunities are not communicated clearly. We need
more small businesses to bring their talent and innovation into Federal
agencies, and I am hopeful this bill will contribute to that effort.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from New York (Mr. LaLota).
Mr. LaLOTA. Mr. Speaker, America's small businesses shouldn't have to
hire a lawyer to apply for and win a simple government contract. Yet
that is exactly what Washington's bureaucratic process demands today.
That is why I am honored to champion the Plain Language in
Contracting Act, which will reduce the burden on small businesses when
trying to secure government contracts.
My legislation ensures Federal agencies use clear, straightforward
language in solicitations, thereby removing barriers, increasing
transparency, and giving small businesses a fair shot.
Time and again, small business owners tell us the government
contracting process is so complex, they ultimately walk away. Bidding
on a contract is hard enough, but when the language is challenging and
understanding it requires an advanced degree, it is easy to see why.
A study conducted by the Naval Postgraduate School, which analyzed 1
million DOD contracts, found less than 3
[[Page H2396]]
percent were in plain English. Most were rated difficult or very
difficult to read. There is no other way to describe it. It is
unacceptable.
Furthermore, of the 33 million small businesses operating in America,
74,000, only 0.22 percent, successfully secure Federal contracts. Mr.
Speaker, 0.22 percent is just 1 in every 446 contracts. That is all.
When small businesses are shut out from opportunities because they
are overwhelmed by the language, we don't just lose a bidder. We lose
innovation. We lose local job creation. Oftentimes, we lose a better
price.
The government should facilitate small businesses and not be a
barrier. Federal agencies should speak in terms that are clear,
consistent, and accessible to the American people.
The Plain Language in Contracting Act does just that. This bill
creates a level playing field and ensures every small business can
compete for a government contract without needing a lawyer.
I thank Chairman Williams and his staff, my colleagues from both
sides of the aisle, and the entire Small Business Committee for
supporting this commonsense solution.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members to support this bill.
McGARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from
California (Mr. Tran).
Mr. TRAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 787, the Plain
Language in Contracting Act.
Far too often, bureaucratic barriers and complex government jargon
prevent small business owners, especially veterans and immigrant
entrepreneurs, from accessing and securing Federal contracting
opportunities.
I consistently hear from small business owners in Orange County that
the main reason they do not apply for Federal contracts is that the
barriers to entry are simply too high.
H.R. 787 will address this barrier facing small business owners and
mandate Federal agencies to use clear and accessible language in their
contracting opportunities.
I am proud to co-lead this bill, and I thank the gentleman from Long
Island (Mr. LaLota) for working with me to improve the SBA and simplify
the Federal contracting process. Let's continue to empower local
businesses and ensure that every entrepreneur has the opportunity to
succeed.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bipartisan
bill.
Mr. McGARVEY. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time.
Mr. Speaker, we will put this in really plain words, since that is
what the bill does. Small businesses need to be able to understand what
is happening in these contracts. Having language that is easy to
understand will enable them to apply for these contracts, which enables
them to bring their talents and their innovation to bear in our Federal
Government.
Over the last decade, small businesses have been leaving at an
alarming rate. Nothing we are doing is working to reverse that trend.
In fact, the number of small business vendors in the government's
ecosystem has been cut nearly in half.
Having this bill will make it easier for small business owners,
people who are already working around the clock, to make their business
successful for themselves, their communities, and their employees. They
will now have an easier chance of applying for a contract with the
Federal Government.
I am hopeful when this legislation is implemented, it will contribute
to that goal. I thank the bill's sponsors.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support
this commonsense legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 787, as amended.
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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