{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-increase-federal-contracting-opportunities-for-women-owned-small-businesses", "Peters Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Federal Contracting Opportunities for Women-Owned Small Businesses", "2023-10-11", "2023", "2023-10", "Democrat", "Senate", "MI", "Gary C. Peters", "P000595", "www.peters.senate.gov", "garypeters", "https://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, DC \u2013 U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) introduced bipartisan legislation to increase federal contracting opportunities for women-owned small businesses with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).\n\nThe VA\u2019s mission is to service the more than 27 million veterans who have selflessly served their country. To accomplish this mission, the VA acquires a high-quantity and broad spectrum of products and services through its nationwide system of hospitals, clinics, data processing centers, and National Cemeteries. The VA purchases these goods and services on a national, regional, and local level \u2013 from large and small businesses alike. However, the VA is currently not required by statute to prioritize federal contracting opportunities for the Small Business Administration\u2019s Women-Owned Small Business Program \u2013 which helps provide a level playing field for women business owners in industries where they are underrepresented.\n\nPeters\u2019 Veterans Affairs Opportunity for Women Owned Small Businesses Act \u2013 which he introduced with U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) \u2013 would add the Women-Owned Small Business Program to the list of Small Business Administration programs that must be considered for federal contracting opportunities with the VA.\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are the backbone of our economy, and women are a critical component of that success,\u201d said Senator Peters, a former Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy Reserve and member of the Armed Services Committee. \u201cI\u2019m leading this bipartisan bill to ensure small businesses owned and led by women have access to the valuable contracting opportunities offered by the VA to support their success and local economies throughout our state.\u201d\n\n\u201cSmall businesses are the lifeblood of our state\u2019s economy, and risk-taking men and women demonstrate everyday what it means to \u2018Make it in Michigan\u2019 by fundamentally transforming their communities and creating places where people want to live, work, play, and stay,\u201d said Quentin L. Messer, Jr. CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. \u201cWe appreciate Senator Peters continued bipartisan commitment to growing opportunities for our small businesses here in Michigan and across the nation.\u201d\n\n\u201cThis legislation will open doors for small businesses owned and run by women in Detroit and across Michigan to compete for VA contracts,\u201d said Detroit Means Business President Dr. Marlo Rencher. \u201cAccess to government contracts can be game-changing for small businesses. We appreciate the Senator\u2019s continued leadership in elevating small businesses.\u201d\n\n\u201cSince the creation of IAVA\u2019s #SheWhoBorneTheBattle campaign in 2017, IAVA has urged Congress to ensure equity for the women veteran community,\u201d stated Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America CEO Allison Jaslow. \u201cThe VA Opportunity for Women-Owned Small Businesses Act makes it possible for more women veteran-owned businesses to qualify for small business program preferences at VA. IAVA applauds Senators Peters & Blackburn for their continued efforts to support the women veteran community.\u201d\n\nThe Small Business Administration (SBA) uses special programs like the Women-Owned Small Business Program to help small businesses win at least at 23 percent of all federal contracting dollars each year. To qualify for this program, a business must be a small business according to SBA size standards, and be at least 51% owned and controlled by women who are U.S. citizens. One or more women must also be responsible for the management and long-term planning of the business.\n\nPeters\u2019 Veterans Affairs Opportunity for Women Owned Small Businesses Act is supported by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA).\n\nPeters continues to be a strong advocate for Michigan\u2019s servicemembers and veterans. In 2021, Peters was inducted into the Michigan Military and Veterans Hall of Honor for his efforts to support our nation\u2019s veterans and military. In 2017, Peters was recognized as Legislator of the Year by the Vietnam Veterans of America for authoring the bipartisan Fairness for Veterans Act, which was signed into law. The legislation requires veteran discharge review boards to give liberal consideration to petitions for honorable discharge status if the servicemember has been diagnosed with PTSD, TBI or other related conditions connected to their military service. As of the fall of 2020, more than 1,500 veterans have had their discharges upgraded since his legislation was enacted.\n\nPeters also helped enact into law the Sergeant First Class Heath Robinson Honoring our Promise to Address Comprehensive Toxics (PACT) Act \u2013 which delivered VA health care and benefits to all generations of toxic-exposed veterans \u2013 and their survivors \u2013 for the first time in our nation\u2019s history. Peters additionally passed into law bipartisan legislation to strengthen transparency and communication for veterans and caregivers participating in the VA\u2019s caregiver program. His bipartisan legislation to expand apprenticeship opportunities for veterans and allow them to use their GI bill benefits to secure a registered apprenticeship was signed into law in 2020. Peters also fought for and helped secure a measure in the national defense bill to expand the Department of Veterans\u2019 Affairs list of medical conditions associated with Agent Orange exposure to include bladder cancer, hypothyroidism, and Parkinsonism.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T00:49:26Z"]], "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://www.peters.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/peters-introduces-bipartisan-legislation-to-increase-federal-contracting-opportunities-for-women-owned-small-businesses"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.661896938458085, "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"}