WASHINGTON - Today, the House Small Business Committee marked up and approved H.R. 4341, the Defending America's Small Contractors Act, which provides vital contracting reform for small businesses. 

Rep. Trent Kelly (R-MS) introduced H.R. 4332, the Maximizing Small Business Competition Act, and co-introduced H.R. 4329, the Transparency in Small Business Goaling Act. Both pieces of legislation were included in the final package. Upon committee approval, Rep. Kelly released the following statement: 

"The goal of this legislation is to level the playing field and ensure small businesses have the tools they need to navigate and compete in the federal marketplace. With this legislation, we are making sure that opportunities exist for all small businesses."

H.R. 4341, the Defending America’s Small Contractors Act of 2016 includes:

• H.R. 4332, the Maximizing Small Business Competition Act of 2016 (Rep. Kelly) – Clarifies that the Small Business Administration (SBA) may not keep its procurement center representatives (PCRs) from reviewing federal procurements. The current Administration issued regulations that keep PCRs from reviewing some classes of contracts, which has led to thousands of small businesses losing the opportunity to compete. This bill ensures that contracts across the government are structured in a way that maximizes opportunities for small businesses to compete.

• H.R. 4329, the Transparency in Small Business Goaling Act of 2016 (Rep. Kelly and Rep. Judy Chu (CA)) – Increases transparency in goaling by ensuring that the SBA is accurately reporting small business contracting goals to Congress. Accurate reporting by the SBA ensures that small businesses have the opportunity to compete for contracts and subcontracts with the federal government.  

Representative Trent Kelly represents Mississippi’s First Congressional District. He serves on the House Committee on Agriculture and the House Small Business Committee. This is his first term.

###