House Approves Small-Business Bills

 

The House Small Business Committee this week approved two bills aimed at boosting deferral contracting and lending programs for small businesses.

The contracting bill, which was passed 21-4, will update the Small Business Administration's contracting programs by allowing individual owners to challenge awards, while requiring on-site inspections to verify a firm's eligibility for certain government programs. It also boosts contract opportunities for service-disabled veterans and women.

The second bill reauthorizes SBA lending programs through 2009, including $20 billion for 7(a) loans, the agency's primary lending program.

- more briefs-