Senator David Vitter "Women's Small Business Roundtable Discussion"

Yesterday in New Orleans, Senator David Vitter, Chairman of the Senate Small Business & Entrepreneurship Committee hosted a roundtable discussion focusing on identifying opportunities to help Louisiana women and accessing capital. In an open discussion, I brought forth the Federal Report: 40% of Women-Owned Small Business set-aside contracts were awarded to ineligible firms in FY 2012 & 2013 (Government Accountability Office report released on November 17, 2014). We discussed stopping large businesses accessing contracts under small business set-asides. We need the removal of duplicative and nonmandated SBA programs. The funds invested into PCRs & the WOSB/EDWOSB program oversight. The SBA is at record low 25 PCRs, and there needs to be at least 150 to ensure small businesses are able to compete in the federal market. Copies of the Federal Report (GAO), 2015 USWCC WOSB/EDWOSB Legislative Priorities, & the USWCC commends the House Small Business Committee letter were handed out to all attendees.