The civic record
Read. Follow. Verify.Senate Hearing on Minority and Women-Owned Business Contracting
Record date · January 1, 2022
Track this bill to get notified when it advances a stage. One tap to stop, anytime.
What This Bill Does
The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship held a hearing to discuss federal efforts to support minority and women-owned businesses in securing government contracts. The discussion focused on the legacy of Congressman Parren J. Mitchell and the role of Small Business Administration (SBA) programs in promoting economic equity.
The hearing examines how federal contracting policies impact the ability of minority and women-owned small businesses to compete for government work, which accounts for a significant portion of the economy in states like Maryland.
Who It Affects
Groups the bill's text affects, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
Minority-owned small businesses
These businesses are eligible for specific federal contracting programs and set-asides discussed in the hearing.
Women-owned small businesses
These businesses are the focus of specific SBA programs aimed at increasing their participation in federal contracting.
Key Facts
- The hearing was held on May 19, 2021, by the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Congressman Parren J. Mitchell created the first minority set-aside program in 1977 by attaching an amendment to a $4 billion public works bill.
- The 1977 amendment required state and local governments to set aside 10% of funds for minority-owned businesses.
- Federal contracting accounts for 8% of Maryland's annual GDP.
Show all 7 facts
- The Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) extended the participation limit for the 8(a) Business Development Program from nine years to 10 years.
- The Small Business Administration (SBA) delivered over $1 trillion in aid to small businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- The hearing focused on the 8(a) Business Development Program and the Woman-Owned Small Business Program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 8(a) Business Development Program?
How long can a business participate in the 8(a) program?
What else do you want to know?
News Coverage
Follow the record
Votes, people, money & the original sourceFull breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Discoveries
Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.
Extension of 8(a) Program Eligibility
The 2021 NDAA successfully extended the 8(a) program participation limit from nine to 10 years, a change highlighted by the Chairman as a key accomplishment.
Connected Entities
Sources
www.govinfo.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance60How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy20Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment5Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz10Current news / social attention level
Publisher tools