Ranking Member Chabot Introduces Bipartisan Veteran Owned Small Business Bill

Statement

Today, Ranking Member Steve Chabot (R-OH) partnered with Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI), Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA), and Rep. Antonio Delgado (D-NY) to introduce the Service-Disabled Veterans Small Business Continuation Act. This bipartisan legislation would allow the surviving spouse of a less than 100% service-disabled veteran to retain the federal contracting preference as a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business for three years. Currently, only surviving spouses of 100% service-disabled veterans retain any preference, and the status immediately ends for all others.

"As Ranking Member of the Committee on Small Business, I am pleased to honor the sacrifices of our nation's veterans," Ranking Member Chabot said. "The Service-Disabled Veterans Small Business Continuation Act does just that. By allowing the spouses of deceased service-disabled veterans to retain their status as a Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, they will remain competitive in the federal contracting market. After the years of service their family members provide to our country in the military, veterans' spouses have earned the reliability this bill provides to them and their businesses. I thank my colleagues, Congressmen Bergman, Correa, and Delgado, for working with me on this legislation."

"The loss of a spouse is a traumatic experience, and no one in that situation should have to worry about the regulatory effect on his or her small business. Surviving spouses of 100% Service-Disabled Veteran business owners are allowed to retain their preferences in VA contracting, but when the veteran is less than 100% service-disabled, the preference immediately ends, putting a business and livelihood in jeopardy. Our legislation permits those surviving spouses to keep the contracting preference for three years while they make arrangements for the company, ensuring surviving veteran spouses are not left in the cold," said Rep. Bergman.

Rep. Correa said, "Veterans and their families sacrifice so much to our country. We owe it to them to do everything we can to help them live good lives after they leave the military. This bill will allow disabled veterans and their families to obtain special preference when contracting with the VA, and ensure veterans and veteran-owned businesses prosper. I am proud to support this bipartisan legislation and continue to ensure America keeps its promise to our veterans."

"With veterans and their families sacrificing so much for our rights and freedoms, it is our solemn obligation as a nation to ensure their health and well-being," said Rep. Delgado. "I am proud that the first bill I am introducing as a Member of Congress will help veteran families by extending additional benefits to the surviving spouses of deceased veterans across the country, including at home in Upstate New York."