In 2006, Congress enacted a similar bill to require the Department of Veterans Affairs to prioritize contracts for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB). This created real opportunities for Veteran Small Businesses at the VA and now there are more than 12,000 qualifying businesses serving the VA. 

The DoD and Small Business Administration both claim a systemic drop in small business participation in federal government contracts by over 50% in the last 10 years. If we can get HR7401 passed, it is estimated that it will create around 40,000 new certified SDVOSBs. With more business opportunities will come more jobs for veterans and greater competition for contracts, which leads to greater savings for the DoD. 

The American Legion has long supported the prioritizing of Veteran-Owned businesses in government contracting, and this is supported by Legion Resolution No. 13 (2021). 

Please join The American Legion in contacting members of the House and Senate to support and co-sponsor HR7401 TODAY!