H.Con.Res.18 (117th Congress)

by Nydia Velazquez

117th CONGRESS
1st Session

H. CON. RES. 18

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of including small business concerns, especially minority-owned small business concerns, in any efforts to leverage the Defense Production Act in response to the COVID–19 pandemic.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 24, 2021

Ms. Velázquez (for herself and Mr. Mfume) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Services

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of including small business concerns, especially minority-owned small business concerns, in any efforts to leverage the Defense Production Act in response to the COVID–19 pandemic.

Expressing the sense of Congress regarding the importance of including small business concerns, especially minority-owned small business concerns, in any efforts to leverage the Defense Production Act in response to the COVID–19 pandemic.

Whereas, on January 21, 2021, the President announced a national strategy and signed an Executive order to combat the COVID–19 pandemic;

Whereas a cornerstone of the President’s national strategy and Executive order includes exercising his authority under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) to increase production of critical medical supplies, including testing supplies, vaccination supplies, and personal protective equipment (“PPE”);

Whereas small businesses are bearing the brunt of the COVID–19 pandemic, as shown by the fact that from January 2020 through December 31, 2020, the number of open small businesses decreased by 29.7 percent;

Whereas minority-owned small businesses, in particular, have been disproportionately affected by the COVID–19 pandemic;

Whereas a National Bureau of Economic Research study found that during the first two months of the pandemic, 41 percent of small businesses owned by African Americans and 32 percent of small businesses owned by Hispanics were forced to close their doors, compared to 22 percent of small businesses overall;

Whereas small businesses are resilient and proven innovators, and several have pivoted to manufacturing medical supplies, including PPE, in order to fill the gaps and retain their workforce; and

Whereas sections 108 and 701 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4518; 4551) establish a preference for small business concerns, and in particular, section 701 states that “Small business concerns shall be given the maximum practicable opportunity to participate as contractors, and subcontractors at various tiers, in all programs to maintain and strengthen the Nation’s industrial base and technology base undertaken pursuant to this Act.”: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the President should ensure small business concerns, especially minority-owned small business concerns, are included in any efforts to leverage the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) in response to the COVID–19 pandemic by according preferences to small business concerns as directed under sections 108 and 701 of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4518; 4551).