Service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses play a unique role in our economy.  Not only do they create jobs, spur investment and support their local communities – they often provide well-deserved opportunities for our returning veterans.

Yet, until this week, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses were not adequately encouraged to apply or participate in the Small Business Innovation Research Program, an important avenue of support for small business research and development efforts.  With the passage of an amendment I offered to the SBIR/STTR Reauthorization Act, this will thankfully no longer the case.

Our veterans served their nation honorably, yet they face unemployment rates that are almost four times as high as non-military laborers.  By making service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses eligible for these programs, the House took an important step to help our veterans and ensure that they have opportunities for success after their service to our nation.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 25th, 2008 at 6:48 pm and is filed under Politics, Economy/Budget .