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IV
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 con-
cerns, 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. VELA´ZQUEZ (for herself and Mr. MFUME) submitted the following concur-
rent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Financial Serv-
ices
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.
Whereas, on January 21, 2021, the President announced a
national strategy and signed an Executive order to com-
bat 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
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•HCON 18 IH
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 pan-
demic;
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 Ameri-
cans and 32 percent of small businesses owned by His-
panics 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 sup-
plies, 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 indus-
trial base and technology base undertaken pursuant to
this Act.’’: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
1
concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that the
2
President should ensure small business concerns, espe-
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•HCON 18 IH
cially minority-owned small business concerns, are in-
1
cluded in any efforts to leverage the Defense Production
2
Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4501 et seq.) in response to the
3
COVID–19 pandemic by according preferences to small
4
business concerns as directed under sections 108 and 701
5
of the Defense Production Act of 1950 (50 U.S.C. 4518;
6
4551).
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Æ
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