Washington, D.C.—Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressmen Mike Bost (R-IL) and Gerry Connolly (D-VA) introduced bipartisan legislation, the Stronger Voice for Small Business Act.  The bill permits job creators to directly appeal to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Hearings and Appeals when challenging an inappropriate SBA size standard, a change that saves small businesses from a costly and time consuming litigation process.

“As a small business owner myself, I understand that small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy,” said Rep. Bost.  “The SBA’s designation of a business as large or small has a major impact in determining whether they can apply for lending or financial assistance programs or whether they receive preference in the sale of goods and services to the Federal Government.  In order to grow jobs and hire more workers, small businesses must have certainty and a clearer definition of the guidelines used to determine their size and status.” 

“The controversy surrounding SBA’s recent proposal to eliminate the Information Technology Value Added Resellers exception is only the latest in a series of problems that have emerged as result of SBA’s antiquated and static approach to establishing size standards,” said Rep. Connolly.  “The bipartisan Bost-Connolly legislation recognizes that small businesses themselves are often the best experts at determining which companies should qualify for SBA programs, and it will empower American small businesses to help enhance the accuracy and size standards by guaranteeing that their voices are heard by SBA.”

The "Stronger Voice for Small Business Act" will be referred to the House Small Business Committee for further consideration.