Newsletter: Straight Talk with Sam - SBA Sidetracked

Statement

Dear Friends,

The SBA is responsible for managing a set of core programs designed to help small businesses succeed, but the agency has a recent history of ignoring the law and being sidetracked by its own pet projects. In a hearing this week with new SBA Administrator Maria Contreras-Sweet, the Committee clearly emphasized that resources should be focused on the programs and reforms that Congress has mandated. Many unauthorized SBA initiatives duplicate services available from other federal agencies and the private sector, and thus are wasteful. While the agency is spending millions of dollars yearly on these untested projects, the number of small businesses trained in many of the SBA's proven entrepreneurial development programs has been in decline.

This diversion of resources also comes at the expense of implementing contracting reforms (a Committee legislative priority) signed into law two years ago that will help small businesses compete in the federal procurement arena. Over 40 of the tasks assigned to the SBA to implement the law remain incomplete. The Committee will continue to exercise oversight of the SBA's priorities so that resources are available for the most essential small business growth programs.

Sincerely,

Sam Graves
Chairman

Source