Press Release

ARCURI VOTES TO EXPAND OPPORTUNITIES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Washington, DC -- U.S. Representative Michael A. Arcuri (D-Utica) voted today for the Small Business Fairness in Contracting Act (H.R. 1873) which would increase opportunities for small businesses to compete for federal government contracts by leveling the playing field with larger corporations and increasing the number of contracts awarded to small businesses.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” Arcuri said.  ”Communities across the 24th district depend on small businesses as a vital force to drive the economy and provide essential everyday services. By leveling the playing field and opening up federal contracts to more small businesses, we are helping our economy grow as well as bringing more resources back to local communities where small businesses are based.”

America’s 26 million small businesses represent more than 99.7 percent of all employers and create up to 80 percent of new jobs nationwide.

“I am committed to helping the small businesses of the 24th district - already this Congress has passed legislation to provide over $8 billion in tax relief for small businesses and improved federal lending programs. Local small businesses are loyal partners in our communities and I will do all I can to support them.”

H.R. 1873, which passed the House, would open up the $380 billion federal marketplace to small businesses across the country by reducing the creation of mega-contracts too large for small businesses to compete and stopping the practice of large businesses getting small business.
 
H.R. 1873 would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to reach out to small businesses regarding the opportunities to compete for government contracts.  For the past six years, the federal government has failed to meet its 23 percent small business contracting goal – costing small businesses almost $10 billion in lost contracting opportunities.

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