A recent post on the U.S Chamber of Commerce website titled, “Business United or Business Divided – What’s at Stake?” is one of the best examples you could find of typical U.S. Chamber propaganda. As he did in our heated exchange on CNBC, Chamber spokesman Giovanni Coratolo struggles to piece together a series of outright lies, blatant fabrications and misdirection to try and attack me and cover up the U.S Chamber’s actual pro-Fortune 500 and anti-small business track record. (http://www.chamberpost.com/2009/06/business-united-or-business-divided-whats-at-stake.html)
If you haven’t seen our debate on CNBC, you can find it on YouTube under, “ASBL President Lloyd Chapman spars with U.S. Chamber of Commerce.” I hope
I get a chance to finish our debate on national television sometime soon. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZWtLshGVEss)
Let me focus on Giovanni’s statement referring to the annual diversion of over $100 billion a year in federal small business contracts to corporate giants as a “niche issue” that will “impact only a small sliver of the business community.”
The truth is, no issue affecting American small businesses has been the subject of more federal investigations and more stories in the mainstream media than the diversion of federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms and thousands of other large businesses.
Since 2003 there have been over a dozen federal investigations on the issue and hundreds of stories. Every major newspaper in the country has reported on the problem along with major television networks like ABC, CBS and CNN.
In Report 5-15, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Inspector General stated, “One of the biggest challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today is that large businesses are receiving federal small business awards…” (http://www.asbl.com/documents/05-15.pdf)
In February of 2008, President Obama acknowledged the magnitude of the problem when he released the statement, “It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants.” (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
As opposed to the U.S. Chamber’s position that this is a “niche issue” that will impact “only a small sliver of the business community,” this issue has negatively impacted every man, woman and child in America. You don’t have to be an economist to understand the diversion of over $100 billion a year from the middle class, year after year will have a devastating negative impact on the national economy.
The U.S Chamber claims to have 3 million members, 96% with less than 100 employees and 5% of those firms do business with the government. That comes out to 144,000 U.S Chamber members that are small businesses being negatively impacted by this issue.
Now let’s look at what the U.S. Chamber has done over the last seven years to address what the SBA Inspector General referred to as one of the largest challenges facing the SBA and “the entire federal government today.”
NOTHING!
No lobbying, no press conference, no press releases, no blog posts, no legislation, no lawsuits, no newspaper stories, no radio interviews, nothing on their website!
Why wouldn’t the organization that claims to be the most powerful voice for small business in American lift a finger to address a problem that is impacting millions of small businesses, including 144,000 of their own members?
Because the Fortune 500 firms that are receiving the lion’s share of all federal small business contracts are some of the most powerful members of the U.S. Chamber. Dozens of Fortune 500 firms that are currently receiving billions of dollars in federal small business contracts serve on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Chamber.
Take a look at stories on this issue from the Associated Press, the New York Times and the Washington Post. Take a look at the investigative stories by ABC, CBS and CNN. (AP, http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/05/07/politics/main552758.shtml; NYT, http://www.nytimes.com/2006/07/06/business/06sba.html; WaPo, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1179; ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
Now take a look at the list of firms that belong to the U.S. Chamber and serve on their board. Over fifteen Fortune 500 firms on the U.S. Chamber board have received federal small business contracts. (http://www.uschamber.com/about/board/all.htm)
Small businesses in America need to quit listening to what the U.S Chamber says and start to watch what they do. If you do that, you will quickly realize they are no friend to American’s 27 million small businesses.
Contact
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Venture Capital Industry Pushes Legislation to Hijack Federal Small Business Programs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 11, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) has been showering Congress with millions of dollars in campaign contributions in hopes of changing the 55-year-old federal definition of a small business. The latest bill focuses on the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. Wealthy investors are hoping to ultimately gain access to all federal small business programs.(http://maplight.org/map/us/interest/F2500/view/all, http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=F2500, http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?strID=C00150367&cycle=2008)
Federal law currently defines a small business as a firm that is "independently owned." The NVCA is hoping to change that definition to include firms that are not only not "independently owned," but are owned and controlled by wealthy investors. If the NVCA is successful, millions of legitimate small businesses could be forced to close their doors.
For over two years, the NVCA has hired some of the most powerful lobbying firms in Washington in an effort to quietly pass legislation that will allow its members to dominate federal contracting programs for small businesses, and firms owned by women and minorities.
NVCA lobbying efforts have focused on President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D - CA) and both the House and Senate Small Business Committees. In an April 2008 article in AllBusiness.com, House Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Velázquez (D - NY) was described as "quarterbacking" the legislation for the venture capital industry. (http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/business-climate-conditions/9077284-1.html)
Congresswoman Velázquez has received significant contributions from the venture capital industry. Velázquez was able to pass two pro-venture capital bills through her committee in 2008, which were opposed by every major small business advocacy group in the country. (http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=624, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/legislative/sap/110-1/hr3567sap-r.pdf)
The latest bill to allow venture capitalists to participate in small business programs was introduced by Congressman Sam Graves (R - MO) on June 9. The bill, H.R. 2767, the "Investing in Tomorrow's Technology Act," amends Sec. 9 (e) of the Small Business Act and will allow a firm to be considered, "independently owned," if it is owned in majority part by one or more individuals or venture capital firms, and as long as no single venture capital firm owns 50 percent or more of the business. As a result, H.R. 2767 will allow a business to be owned up to nearly 100 percent by a venture capital syndicate and maintain small business status. (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2767)
The sudden appearance of H.R. 2767 is seen as a response to another bill, H.R 2568, the "Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act," which will strengthen the definition of "independently owned" to halt the diversion of federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms and firms controlled by venture capitalists.
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June 11, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) has been showering Congress with millions of dollars in campaign contributions in hopes of changing the 55-year-old federal definition of a small business. The latest bill focuses on the Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program. Wealthy investors are hoping to ultimately gain access to all federal small business programs.(http://maplight.org/map/us/interest/F2500/view/all, http://www.opensecrets.org/industries/indus.php?ind=F2500, http://www.opensecrets.org/pacs/lookup2.php?strID=C00150367&cycle=2008)
Federal law currently defines a small business as a firm that is "independently owned." The NVCA is hoping to change that definition to include firms that are not only not "independently owned," but are owned and controlled by wealthy investors. If the NVCA is successful, millions of legitimate small businesses could be forced to close their doors.
For over two years, the NVCA has hired some of the most powerful lobbying firms in Washington in an effort to quietly pass legislation that will allow its members to dominate federal contracting programs for small businesses, and firms owned by women and minorities.
NVCA lobbying efforts have focused on President Barack Obama, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D - CA) and both the House and Senate Small Business Committees. In an April 2008 article in AllBusiness.com, House Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Velázquez (D - NY) was described as "quarterbacking" the legislation for the venture capital industry. (http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/business-climate-conditions/9077284-1.html)
Congresswoman Velázquez has received significant contributions from the venture capital industry. Velázquez was able to pass two pro-venture capital bills through her committee in 2008, which were opposed by every major small business advocacy group in the country. (http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=624, http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/legislative/sap/110-1/hr3567sap-r.pdf)
The latest bill to allow venture capitalists to participate in small business programs was introduced by Congressman Sam Graves (R - MO) on June 9. The bill, H.R. 2767, the "Investing in Tomorrow's Technology Act," amends Sec. 9 (e) of the Small Business Act and will allow a firm to be considered, "independently owned," if it is owned in majority part by one or more individuals or venture capital firms, and as long as no single venture capital firm owns 50 percent or more of the business. As a result, H.R. 2767 will allow a business to be owned up to nearly 100 percent by a venture capital syndicate and maintain small business status. (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/billtext.xpd?bill=h111-2767)
The sudden appearance of H.R. 2767 is seen as a response to another bill, H.R 2568, the "Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act," which will strengthen the definition of "independently owned" to halt the diversion of federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms and firms controlled by venture capitalists.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Battle in Congress Over Billions in Small Business Contracts Heats-Up
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 10, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and its wealthiest members have stepped-up their campaign to try and participate in federal small business contracting programs. Yesterday, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Sam Graves (R - MO) that could allow firms that are owned by some of the nation's wealthiest investors to receive billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
The bill, H.R. 2767, the "Investing in Tomorrow's Technology Act," would affect small businesses involved in the government's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The heart of the bill is a proposed change in the longstanding government definition of a small business, which currently requires that a small business be "independently owned." Congressman Graves' bill would modify the term "independently owned" to include firms that are actually not "independently owned," but owned and controlled by venture capitalists. The bill circumvents the affiliation rules currently governing venture capital ownership of a small business.
Opponents of the bill say it will essentially repeal the Small Business Act by changing the federal definition of a small business to include firms that are actually not small businesses. The American Small Business League (ASBL) is opposing the bill. The ASBL estimates that changing the federal definition of a small business to include wealthy venture capitalists could divert billions of dollars in federal contracts away from middle class firms and could devastate legitimate small businesses around the country.
Although H.R. 2767 is focused on the SBIR program, the NVCA has blanketed both the House and Senate small business committees with contributions in an effort to have legislation passed that would allow them to participate in all federal small business contracting programs. In 2007, with the help of House Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Velázquez (D - NY), H.R. 3567 passed through the House of Representatives. The bill would have allowed firms owned and controlled by some of the country's wealthiest investors to participate in all federal small business contracting programs.
Small business groups around the country became concerned about the future of federal small business contracting programs when President Obama appointed multi-millionaire venture capitalist Karen Mills, to head the Small Business Administration (SBA) and venture capitalist Winslow Sargeant to head the SBA Office of Advocacy. Both Mills and Sargeant were major contributors to President Obama's campaign. They have also been outspoken advocates of changes in federal policy and legislation that would allow venture capitalists and even some of the nation's largest venture capital firms to receive federal contracts designated for legitimate small businesses.
The ASBL is mounting a national campaign to oppose H.R. 2767 and any other legislation to amend the definition of a small business as "independently owned," to include wealthy venture capitalists.
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June 10, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - The National Venture Capital Association (NVCA) and its wealthiest members have stepped-up their campaign to try and participate in federal small business contracting programs. Yesterday, a bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Sam Graves (R - MO) that could allow firms that are owned by some of the nation's wealthiest investors to receive billions of dollars in federal small business contracts.
The bill, H.R. 2767, the "Investing in Tomorrow's Technology Act," would affect small businesses involved in the government's Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. The heart of the bill is a proposed change in the longstanding government definition of a small business, which currently requires that a small business be "independently owned." Congressman Graves' bill would modify the term "independently owned" to include firms that are actually not "independently owned," but owned and controlled by venture capitalists. The bill circumvents the affiliation rules currently governing venture capital ownership of a small business.
Opponents of the bill say it will essentially repeal the Small Business Act by changing the federal definition of a small business to include firms that are actually not small businesses. The American Small Business League (ASBL) is opposing the bill. The ASBL estimates that changing the federal definition of a small business to include wealthy venture capitalists could divert billions of dollars in federal contracts away from middle class firms and could devastate legitimate small businesses around the country.
Although H.R. 2767 is focused on the SBIR program, the NVCA has blanketed both the House and Senate small business committees with contributions in an effort to have legislation passed that would allow them to participate in all federal small business contracting programs. In 2007, with the help of House Small Business Committee Chair Nydia Velázquez (D - NY), H.R. 3567 passed through the House of Representatives. The bill would have allowed firms owned and controlled by some of the country's wealthiest investors to participate in all federal small business contracting programs.
Small business groups around the country became concerned about the future of federal small business contracting programs when President Obama appointed multi-millionaire venture capitalist Karen Mills, to head the Small Business Administration (SBA) and venture capitalist Winslow Sargeant to head the SBA Office of Advocacy. Both Mills and Sargeant were major contributors to President Obama's campaign. They have also been outspoken advocates of changes in federal policy and legislation that would allow venture capitalists and even some of the nation's largest venture capital firms to receive federal contracts designated for legitimate small businesses.
The ASBL is mounting a national campaign to oppose H.R. 2767 and any other legislation to amend the definition of a small business as "independently owned," to include wealthy venture capitalists.
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Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Obama "Roadmap for Recovery" Ignores U.S. Census Bureau Data On New Jobs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - President Barack Obama is rolling out his latest program to create jobs and stimulate the economy, the "Roadmap to Recovery." Like all of President Obama's previous economic stimulus plans, this plan continues to ignore the latest U.S Census Bureau data, which indicates that small businesses create over 97 percent of all new jobs in America. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html)
According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, 98 percent of all American firms have less than 100 employees and those firms are responsible for more than 97 percent of all net new jobs. These firms employ over 50.2 percent of the private sector workforce, and are responsible for over 95 percent of all U.S exports and over 90 percent of all technical innovations and patents. Conversely, Census Bureau data indicates that large businesses have not created one net new job in America since 1977.
As opposed to immediate economic stimulus programs, the "Roadmap to Recovery" focuses on long-term infrastructure improvements to 107 national parks, 98 airports, 90 veterans medical centers and more than 1,500 highways. No provision in the new plan requires any portion of the recovery funds to be specifically allocated to small businesses. Absent any pro-small business provisions, the vast majority of the funds will likely go to large businesses.
Like all of President Obama's previous economic stimulus plans, the "Roadmap to Recovery" continues to allow Fortune 500 firms to receive federal contracts specifically allocated to small businesses.
Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations have found that Fortune 500 firms receive billions of dollars in government small businesses contracts every month.
Investigative reports by ABC, CBS and CNN have found the recipients of government small business contracts to include Wal-Mart, Dell Computer, Verizon, Xerox, Sherwin-Williams, John Deere, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Home Depot, British Aerospace (BAE), Rolls-Royce and Dutch corporate giant Buhrmann NV. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
An extensive investigative report by the Washington Post found Fortune 500 firms alone had received approximately 38.5 percent of all federal small business contracts. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/21/AR2008102102989.html)
In a recent interview on CNN's Wolf Blitzer Show, Dr. Laura Tyson acknowledged the most effective method to stimulate the economy and create jobs would be to direct existing federal infrastructure spending to small businesses. Dr. Tyson is the former Chair of President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisors and is currently an economic advisor to President Obama. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Z0Kz0Xa8E)
June 9, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - President Barack Obama is rolling out his latest program to create jobs and stimulate the economy, the "Roadmap to Recovery." Like all of President Obama's previous economic stimulus plans, this plan continues to ignore the latest U.S Census Bureau data, which indicates that small businesses create over 97 percent of all new jobs in America. (http://www.inc.com/news/articles/200708/data.html)
According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, 98 percent of all American firms have less than 100 employees and those firms are responsible for more than 97 percent of all net new jobs. These firms employ over 50.2 percent of the private sector workforce, and are responsible for over 95 percent of all U.S exports and over 90 percent of all technical innovations and patents. Conversely, Census Bureau data indicates that large businesses have not created one net new job in America since 1977.
As opposed to immediate economic stimulus programs, the "Roadmap to Recovery" focuses on long-term infrastructure improvements to 107 national parks, 98 airports, 90 veterans medical centers and more than 1,500 highways. No provision in the new plan requires any portion of the recovery funds to be specifically allocated to small businesses. Absent any pro-small business provisions, the vast majority of the funds will likely go to large businesses.
Like all of President Obama's previous economic stimulus plans, the "Roadmap to Recovery" continues to allow Fortune 500 firms to receive federal contracts specifically allocated to small businesses.
Since 2003, over a dozen federal investigations have found that Fortune 500 firms receive billions of dollars in government small businesses contracts every month.
Investigative reports by ABC, CBS and CNN have found the recipients of government small business contracts to include Wal-Mart, Dell Computer, Verizon, Xerox, Sherwin-Williams, John Deere, Raytheon, General Dynamics, Home Depot, British Aerospace (BAE), Rolls-Royce and Dutch corporate giant Buhrmann NV. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
An extensive investigative report by the Washington Post found Fortune 500 firms alone had received approximately 38.5 percent of all federal small business contracts. (http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/10/21/AR2008102102989.html)
In a recent interview on CNN's Wolf Blitzer Show, Dr. Laura Tyson acknowledged the most effective method to stimulate the economy and create jobs would be to direct existing federal infrastructure spending to small businesses. Dr. Tyson is the former Chair of President Clinton's Council of Economic Advisors and is currently an economic advisor to President Obama. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36Z0Kz0Xa8E)
Monday, June 8, 2009
Wealthy Venture Capitalists to Join Fortune 500 Firms in Obama Administration Small Business Programs
Petaluma, Calif. – The Obama Administration is moving closer to new legislation and policy that will allow many of President Barack Obama’s wealthiest contributors in the venture capital industry to take federal contracts meant for small businesses.
President Obama has already appointed two of his chief campaign fundraisers from the venture capital industry to top positions at the Small Business Administration (SBA). New York venture capitalist, and heiress to the multi-billion dollar Tootsie Roll Company, Karen Gordon Mills was appointed to head the agency. During her confirmation hearing, Mills voiced her support for new federal policy that would divert billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to wealthy venture capitalists.
President Obama has now appointed another major campaign contributor from the venture capital industry to the other top spot at the SBA, the Chief Counsel for the SBA Office of Advocacy. Winslow Sargeant, Ph.D., will fill that position. Prior to his appointment, Sargeant was a managing director of the Wisconsin-based venture firm, Venture Investors LLC. He is a proponent of changes in federal policy that will divert federal small business contracts to well-heeled venture capitalists and even many of the nation’s top venture capital firms.
(http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2009/05/22/obamas-sba-nomination-nods-in-favor-of-vcindustry/,http://wistechnology.com/articles/3310/)
The Obama Administration is currently allowing Fortune 500 firms and thousands of other clearly large businesses to take federal contracts earmarked for legitimate small businesses. Investigative stories by ABC, CBS and CNN have reported firms receiving federal small business contracts include: British Aerospace (BAE), Rolls-Royce, Xerox, John Deere, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Sherwin-Williams, Dell Computer and Dutch giant Buhrmann NV. (ABC,http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN,
http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D – NY) is leading the Obama Administration’s efforts in the House Committee on Small Business to pass legislation to divert federal small business contracts to some of the nation’s most successful investors. Velázquez has already passed two bills through her committee, and is expected to pass a third in the near future that would divert billions of dollars a year in federal small business contracts to firms owned and controlled by venture capitalists.
Velázquez has been one of several key members of Congress who has received significant campaign contributions from the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), its members and the venture capital industry as a whole (http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activitiesmanagement/business-climate-conditions/9077284-1.html)
Velázquez has also been a vocal opponent to the new Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act that was written to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms and other large businesses. (http://www.asbl.com/documents/hr2568.pdf)
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President Obama has already appointed two of his chief campaign fundraisers from the venture capital industry to top positions at the Small Business Administration (SBA). New York venture capitalist, and heiress to the multi-billion dollar Tootsie Roll Company, Karen Gordon Mills was appointed to head the agency. During her confirmation hearing, Mills voiced her support for new federal policy that would divert billions of dollars in federal small business contracts to wealthy venture capitalists.
President Obama has now appointed another major campaign contributor from the venture capital industry to the other top spot at the SBA, the Chief Counsel for the SBA Office of Advocacy. Winslow Sargeant, Ph.D., will fill that position. Prior to his appointment, Sargeant was a managing director of the Wisconsin-based venture firm, Venture Investors LLC. He is a proponent of changes in federal policy that will divert federal small business contracts to well-heeled venture capitalists and even many of the nation’s top venture capital firms.
(http://blogs.wsj.com/venturecapital/2009/05/22/obamas-sba-nomination-nods-in-favor-of-vcindustry/,http://wistechnology.com/articles/3310/)
The Obama Administration is currently allowing Fortune 500 firms and thousands of other clearly large businesses to take federal contracts earmarked for legitimate small businesses. Investigative stories by ABC, CBS and CNN have reported firms receiving federal small business contracts include: British Aerospace (BAE), Rolls-Royce, Xerox, John Deere, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Sherwin-Williams, Dell Computer and Dutch giant Buhrmann NV. (ABC,http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN,
http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D – NY) is leading the Obama Administration’s efforts in the House Committee on Small Business to pass legislation to divert federal small business contracts to some of the nation’s most successful investors. Velázquez has already passed two bills through her committee, and is expected to pass a third in the near future that would divert billions of dollars a year in federal small business contracts to firms owned and controlled by venture capitalists.
Velázquez has been one of several key members of Congress who has received significant campaign contributions from the National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), its members and the venture capital industry as a whole (http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activitiesmanagement/business-climate-conditions/9077284-1.html)
Velázquez has also been a vocal opponent to the new Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act that was written to stop the diversion of federal small business contracts to Fortune 500 firms and other large businesses. (http://www.asbl.com/documents/hr2568.pdf)
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Monday, June 1, 2009
New Bill in Congress Could Provide Major Boost to National Economy
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson (D - GA4) has introduced a new bill in the House of Representatives that could provide a more dramatic boost to the national economy than any economic stimulus plan that has been proposed so far. (http://www.asbl.com/documents/hr2568.pdf)
The new bill, H.R. 2568 the "Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act," will send over $100 billion a year in current federal infrastructure spending directly to middle class firms. The American Small Business League (ASBL) wrote the original draft of the bill. Congressman Johnson worked with the ASBL for several months to fine-tune the bill before it was introduced. The bill is based on current provisions of the Small Business Act that define a small business as a firm that is "independently owned." Currently, several loopholes in federal contracting law allow Fortune 500 firms to qualify as small businesses.
H.R. 2568 will close those loopholes, preventing the federal government from reporting awards to publicly traded firms as small business awards. Publicly traded firms do not qualify as "independently owned."
The latest U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that over 98 percent of all U.S. firms have less than 100 employees and these firms employ over 50.2 percent of the private sector workforce and are responsible for over 97 percent of net new jobs in America.
Earlier this year, the Obama Administration announced that every billion dollars in infrastructure spending generates approximately 40,000 new jobs. Directing over $100 billion a year in federal small business contracts to the small businesses that create over 97 percent of all new jobs in America could create over 4 million new jobs.
Since 2003, several federal investigations found that every year billions of dollars in federal small business contracts are diverted to Fortune 1000 corporations and even many of the largest firms in Europe. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html) Investigative stories by ABC, CBS and CNN reported hundreds of firms such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Microsoft, Xerox, Dell Computer, John Deere, British Aerospace (BAE), Rolls-Royce and Dutch giant Buhrmann N.V. have all received federal small business contracts. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
H.R. 2568 would bring an immediate end to the diversion of federal small business contracts to large businesses in the United States and Europe.
"It's unconscionable that some large corporations are the beneficiaries of small business contracts," Congressman Johnson said. "Especially given how many small businesses are struggling in this recession. H.R. 2568 will go a long way in helping correct this egregious error."
President Obama is expected to support H.R. 2568. In February of 2008 he released the statement, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
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June 1, 2009
Petaluma, Calif. - Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson (D - GA4) has introduced a new bill in the House of Representatives that could provide a more dramatic boost to the national economy than any economic stimulus plan that has been proposed so far. (http://www.asbl.com/documents/hr2568.pdf)
The new bill, H.R. 2568 the "Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act," will send over $100 billion a year in current federal infrastructure spending directly to middle class firms. The American Small Business League (ASBL) wrote the original draft of the bill. Congressman Johnson worked with the ASBL for several months to fine-tune the bill before it was introduced. The bill is based on current provisions of the Small Business Act that define a small business as a firm that is "independently owned." Currently, several loopholes in federal contracting law allow Fortune 500 firms to qualify as small businesses.
H.R. 2568 will close those loopholes, preventing the federal government from reporting awards to publicly traded firms as small business awards. Publicly traded firms do not qualify as "independently owned."
The latest U.S. Census Bureau data indicates that over 98 percent of all U.S. firms have less than 100 employees and these firms employ over 50.2 percent of the private sector workforce and are responsible for over 97 percent of net new jobs in America.
Earlier this year, the Obama Administration announced that every billion dollars in infrastructure spending generates approximately 40,000 new jobs. Directing over $100 billion a year in federal small business contracts to the small businesses that create over 97 percent of all new jobs in America could create over 4 million new jobs.
Since 2003, several federal investigations found that every year billions of dollars in federal small business contracts are diverted to Fortune 1000 corporations and even many of the largest firms in Europe. (http://www.asbl.com/documentlibrary.html) Investigative stories by ABC, CBS and CNN reported hundreds of firms such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Microsoft, Xerox, Dell Computer, John Deere, British Aerospace (BAE), Rolls-Royce and Dutch giant Buhrmann N.V. have all received federal small business contracts. (ABC, http://www.asbl.com/abc_evening_news.wmv; CBS, http://www.asbl.com/cbs.wmv; CNN, http://www.asbl.com/showmedia.php?id=1170)
H.R. 2568 would bring an immediate end to the diversion of federal small business contracts to large businesses in the United States and Europe.
"It's unconscionable that some large corporations are the beneficiaries of small business contracts," Congressman Johnson said. "Especially given how many small businesses are struggling in this recession. H.R. 2568 will go a long way in helping correct this egregious error."
President Obama is expected to support H.R. 2568. In February of 2008 he released the statement, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
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Thursday, May 28, 2009
Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson Takes a Stand for American Small Businesses
America's 27 million small businesses have a new hero and his name is Hank Johnson.
Last Friday, Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) introduced a new bill in the House of Representatives that will do more to help America's 27 million small businesses and stimulate the national economy than any stimulus plan proposed to date.
The bill, H.R. 2568, is titled "the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act of 2009." The new bill is based on a very simple principle that every American would certainly agree with: the largest corporations in the world should not be receiving government small business contracts. Congressman Johnson has worked with the American Small Business League (ASBL) staff for several months to get the bill into the final form he introduced into the House of Representatives.
The heart of the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act is a provision that precludes the federal government and prime contractors from reporting awards to publicly traded firms as small business awards. The original Small Business Act defines a small business as a firm that is 'independently owned." Publicly traded firms are publicly owned, and would not qualify as "independently owned."
This would seem like a no-brainer, but it has taken several years and someone with the integrity and sincere concern for our nation's 27 million small businesses like Representative Hank Johnson to finally address this staggering problem.
Since 2003, a constant flow of federal investigations have come from a variety of agencies in Washington that have all found Fortune 500 firms in the U.S. and even some of Europe's largest corporations receive billions of dollars in U.S. government small business contracts.
In 2005, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector (SBA IG) released the results of its investigation into the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants around the world. In Report 5-15, the SBA IG referred to the issue as, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today." That sounds pretty serious to me. Why hasn't Congress acted on this before? (http://www.sba.gov/IG/05-15.pdf)
Several senior level government officials have told me privately that as much as 86 percent of all federal small business contracts actually go to large businesses. Based on the latest numbers from the SBA Office of Advocacy indicating the total volume of contracts awarded to small businesses, 86 percent would equate to more than $100 billion a year.
I have won several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases against the federal government, which forced the release of thousands of pages of information on the actual recipients of federal small business contracts. Based on all of the information I have seen, I would agree at least $100 billion a year in government small business contracts go to Fortune 500 firms and thousands of other large businesses around the world.
The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that 98 percent of all U.S. firms have less than 100 employees. These firms create over 97 percent of all new jobs in America and employ over 50.2 percent of the private sector workforce.
The Obama Administration has stated that for every billion dollars in federal infrastructure spending 40,000 new jobs will be created. Based on the Obama Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau data, if the Fairness and Contracting Act becomes law up to 4 million new jobs could be created at no additional expense to the taxpayers.
There is another aspect to H.R 2568 that will no doubt delight almost every state in the country. Almost half of all federal small business contracts go to firms within 50 miles of the White House. These are the very corporate giants that have been passing off their subsidiaries and divisions as small businesses, and hijacking most of the small business contracts.
If President Obama signs the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act into law, every state will see its share of federal small business contracts double.
President Obama should love H.R. 2568. He has promised to create between 3 and 4 million new jobs. In February of 2008 he stated, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." This bill will achieve both of those goals. (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
Congressman Hank Johnson has introduced the most effective and cost efficient economic stimulus plan proposed to date. Hats off to Congressman Johnson for taking a stand for the American people, and letting the "corporate giants" and Washington bureaucrats know, there's a new sheriff in town and his name is Hank Johnson.
Last Friday, Georgia Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) introduced a new bill in the House of Representatives that will do more to help America's 27 million small businesses and stimulate the national economy than any stimulus plan proposed to date.
The bill, H.R. 2568, is titled "the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act of 2009." The new bill is based on a very simple principle that every American would certainly agree with: the largest corporations in the world should not be receiving government small business contracts. Congressman Johnson has worked with the American Small Business League (ASBL) staff for several months to get the bill into the final form he introduced into the House of Representatives.
The heart of the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act is a provision that precludes the federal government and prime contractors from reporting awards to publicly traded firms as small business awards. The original Small Business Act defines a small business as a firm that is 'independently owned." Publicly traded firms are publicly owned, and would not qualify as "independently owned."
This would seem like a no-brainer, but it has taken several years and someone with the integrity and sincere concern for our nation's 27 million small businesses like Representative Hank Johnson to finally address this staggering problem.
Since 2003, a constant flow of federal investigations have come from a variety of agencies in Washington that have all found Fortune 500 firms in the U.S. and even some of Europe's largest corporations receive billions of dollars in U.S. government small business contracts.
In 2005, the Small Business Administration Office of Inspector (SBA IG) released the results of its investigation into the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants around the world. In Report 5-15, the SBA IG referred to the issue as, "One of the most important challenges facing the Small Business Administration and the entire Federal government today." That sounds pretty serious to me. Why hasn't Congress acted on this before? (http://www.sba.gov/IG/05-15.pdf)
Several senior level government officials have told me privately that as much as 86 percent of all federal small business contracts actually go to large businesses. Based on the latest numbers from the SBA Office of Advocacy indicating the total volume of contracts awarded to small businesses, 86 percent would equate to more than $100 billion a year.
I have won several Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) cases against the federal government, which forced the release of thousands of pages of information on the actual recipients of federal small business contracts. Based on all of the information I have seen, I would agree at least $100 billion a year in government small business contracts go to Fortune 500 firms and thousands of other large businesses around the world.
The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau indicates that 98 percent of all U.S. firms have less than 100 employees. These firms create over 97 percent of all new jobs in America and employ over 50.2 percent of the private sector workforce.
The Obama Administration has stated that for every billion dollars in federal infrastructure spending 40,000 new jobs will be created. Based on the Obama Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau data, if the Fairness and Contracting Act becomes law up to 4 million new jobs could be created at no additional expense to the taxpayers.
There is another aspect to H.R 2568 that will no doubt delight almost every state in the country. Almost half of all federal small business contracts go to firms within 50 miles of the White House. These are the very corporate giants that have been passing off their subsidiaries and divisions as small businesses, and hijacking most of the small business contracts.
If President Obama signs the Fairness and Transparency in Contracting Act into law, every state will see its share of federal small business contracts double.
President Obama should love H.R. 2568. He has promised to create between 3 and 4 million new jobs. In February of 2008 he stated, "It is time to end the diversion of federal small business contracts to corporate giants." This bill will achieve both of those goals. (http://www.barackobama.com/2008/02/26/the_american_small_business_le.php)
Congressman Hank Johnson has introduced the most effective and cost efficient economic stimulus plan proposed to date. Hats off to Congressman Johnson for taking a stand for the American people, and letting the "corporate giants" and Washington bureaucrats know, there's a new sheriff in town and his name is Hank Johnson.
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