The California Association for Micro Enterprise Opportunity (CAMEO) applauds the House of Representatives for its passage of a slew of veteran small business bills. Veterans are an integral part of the entrepreneurial community and these bills will provide them with access to the resources they need to succeed. The bills now go to the Senate for consideration.
CAMEO’s support of veteran entrepreneurs through the WOVEN program is enhanced by passage of this legislation. Implementing these policies will better serve those who serve our nation.
Carolina Martinez, CAMEO CEO
- Verification Alignment and Service-Disabled Business Adjustment Act:Responsibility for verifying the eligibility of small businesses owned by veterans and service-disabled veterans for federal contracting preference programs would be transferred from the VA to the SBA under a modified version of H.R. 1615.
- Boots to Business: The Boots to Business program, an SBA entrepreneurial training program for service members and their families, would be authorized for five years under H.R. 3537.
- Military Employer Loans: Small businesses could receive loan assistance when their employees are ordered to active service in a reserve component of the armed forces for more than 30 days under H.R. 3661.
- Veteran Contract Preferences: Surviving spouses of veterans with less-than-full disabilities could inherit a small business owned by the veteran and temporarily retain priority for certain federal contracts under H.R. 499.
- Veteran Small Business Reports: Two reports required: SBA on resources for veteran-owned small businesses, and GAO on veteran-owned small businesses’ access to credit under H.R. 3734.