Press Releases

WASHINGTON - House Small Business Committee Chairman Steve Chabot (R-OH) made the following statement on the Obama administration’s final rule and guidance on the blacklisting of small contractors.  

“President Obama’s latest regulatory power grab should send a chill down the spine of every small contractor who does business with the federal government.  At a time when we should be doing all we can to encourage small businesses to compete for federal contracts, this new red tape will discourage competition resulting in delayed procurement and higher costs shouldered by the American taxpayer. Rather than work with Congress to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in federal contracting, the Obama administration chose to implement a backwards policy of  ‘guilty until proven innocent’ for small businesses. This outrageous new rule is as bad as we thought and underscores the need for common sense regulatory reforms like those included in the ‘Better Way’ agenda’ put forth by House Republicans this spring.”   

BACKGROUND:

Since 2012, there are 100,000 fewer small businesses competing for federal contracts.

The House Small Business Committee has repeatedly warned the Obama administration about the negative consequences of this rule for small businesses through letters, hearings and roundtables.