Ernst Ushers Bipartisan Small Business Solutions Through Committee

WASHINGTON—Today, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, ushered four bipartisan bills through the committee to support small business export initiatives, simplify federal contracting at the Small Business Administration (SBA), and ensure transparency for the Women-Owned SmallBusiness Program (WOSB), HUBZone Program, and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business Program (SDVOSB).

“As Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, I’m dedicated to supporting Main Street’s growth and success,” said Senator Ernst. “These bipartisan initiatives will simplify complicated government contracting jargon and add much-needed accountability to a range of SBA programs. As Iowans continue to struggle under Biden’s failed economic policies, I will keep fighting to support local opportunities and paths to job creation.”

Background:

The efforts supported by Ranking Member Ernst include:

• The Simplifying Subcontracting Act to increase accessibility to small business subcontractors by requiring prime contractors to communicate subcontracting opportunities in plain writing so it is easily understood by small businesses;
• The Small Business Contracting Transparency Act of 2024 to increase transparency for WOSB, HUBZone, and SDVOSB programs, including data such as the number of small businesses newly certified, the total dollar amount and percentage of federal contracts awarded through these programs, and the number of ineligible businesses found erroneously awarded contracts in these programs;
• The Plain Language in Contracting Act to make small business contract solicitations easier to understand by requiring agencies to communicate such notices in plain writing, reduce government jargon, and allow key terms to be easily searchable in the description of the notice; and
• The STEP Modernization Act of 2024 to revamp the State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) to better support state-led export initiatives for small businesses.

Learn more about Ernst’s work to hold the SBA accountable to Iowans here.