{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-and-fitzpatrick-introduce-legislation-to-create-jobs-for-arizona-veterans/", "Sinema and Fitzpatrick Introduce Legislation to Create Jobs for Arizona Veterans", "2017-11-10", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "AZ", "Kyrsten Sinema", "S001191", "sinema.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema (AZ-09) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-08) honored Veterans Day by introducing the Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act [H.R. 4319], bipartisan legislation to ensure veteran-owned businesses can compete for federally contracted transportation projects. \u201cOur men and women in uniform know the meaning of hard work. That\u2019s why Arizona veterans make the best employees, managers, and small business owners.\u00a0 This bill is a commonsense solution that creates more jobs for Arizona veterans and ensures we have the best workers rebuilding our country\u2019s infrastructure,\u201d said Congresswoman Sinema. \u201cOur veterans are one of the most highly skilled workforces in America\u2019s history \u2013 the product of rigorous training, an ironclad commitment to teamwork and the remarkable ability to succeed where others might fail. In total, veteran-owned businesses make up nearly 10% of all businesses in the United States and account for more than $1 trillion in business receipts every year. Let\u2019s put these heroes to work rebuilding our roads and bridges; this bill does just that,\u201d said Congressman Fitzpatrick.  \r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tFederal agencies, including the Department of Transportation, have special \u2018set-asides\u2019 for contracts going to small businesses owned and controlled by particular groups of people who have been designated for contracting preferences. Fairness to Veterans simply states that if any business is going to get a preference, then veteran-owned small businesses should at least get that same partiality. There is currently no equal preference for veterans when it comes to building our nation\u2019s roads, highways, and critical infrastructure. Nearly 2.5 million veterans own and operate small businesses in the U.S.?\u2014?including over 380,000 construction firms?\u2014?and sustain over five million American jobs. Of the 250,000 service members currently transitioning from military to civilian life, surveys show one in four are considering starting or buying a business.  \r\n\t\u00a0\r\n\r\n\tThe Fairness to Veterans for Infrastructure Investment Act is endorsed by the American Legion as key legislation to increase access to jobs for veterans. \u201cThe Fairness to Veterans legislation is a simple, yet powerful, update to current law to ensure Veteran-Owned Small Businesses play a key role in rebuilding our nation\u2019s infrastructure. This straightforward, bipartisan measure is critical to both the shared goals of creating and sustaining jobs for our veterans and fortifying our roads and bridges \u2013 The American Legion is proud to support it,\u201d said American Legion National Commander Denise H. Rohan.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://sinema.house.gov/latest-news/sinema-and-fitzpatrick-introduce-legislation-to-create-jobs-for-arizona-veterans/"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8389567956328392, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}