Rep. Delgado Testifies Before House Small Business Committee On Bipartisan Legislation To Help Veteran Families

The gentleman from New York Mister others recognize performance Thank you Madam chairwoman I'd like to thank you along with ranking member Shabby for your work on legislation that we're working on today legislation that will improve the ability of veterans and their families to start or continue running a business especially glad to see that the bill I first introduced as a member of Congress the very first bill the service disabled veterans Small Business Continuation Act is being taken up By the Committee and I'm honored that I was able to introduce this bill along with ranking member, capital and representatives, Bergman and Korea with veterans and their families sacrificing so much for our rights and freedoms. It is our solemn obligation as a nation to ensure that their health and well being is protected Currently, the spouses of service disabled veterans can receive preference for contracts with the Department of Veteran Affairs but this preference is rescinded if the veteran passes away unless he or she Is a hundred percent disabled The service is abled. Veterans Small Business Continuation Act would allow the spouses of deceased service disabled veterans to retain their status as a service disabled veteran own small business for three years regardless of the degree to which a veteran was disabled This will give surviving spouses the opportunity to remain competitive in the federal contracting market After three years of service to veterans and their families give to us, we need to provide them with both Stability and opportunities for growth Thank you again to ranking Member Shepherd for his leadership on this issue I'm proud to see this legislation is being marked up and urge my colleagues to support I yield back