Aumua Testifies before House Armed Services Committee

Washington, D.C. –Wednesday, Congresswoman Aumua Amata, testified before the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) on Capitol Hill today during the Member’s Day hearing. Member’s Day allows House of Representatives Members the opportunity to voice their thoughts on the upcoming fiscal year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), including any legislation that they would like to be added to the bill.

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“The NDAA is one of the most important pieces of legislation that Congress passes each year, so it is prudent that all Members be allowed the opportunity to voice their opinions on the bill,” said Amata. “This year, the Department of Defense (DoD) has made it a top priority to strengthen the small business industrial base, which is what my bill, the SB CAPE Act helps to accomplish, and I look forward to seeing it included in the NDAA,” continued Amata.

The SB CAPE Act would require an examination of the extent to which SBA personnel who carry out certain procurement and business development programs report to the OGCBD. The bill would also determine whether greater efficiency and consistency in the certification process of the procurement and business development programs could be achieved by creating a single organizational unit of employees to process all certifications required by such programs, as well as determining whether greater efficiency and efficacy in the performance of such programs could be achieved by improving the alignment of the field personnel assigned to them, and assessing how the OGCBD could improve its staffing of regulatory drafting functions and its coordination with the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to ensure timely rulemaking by the SBA.

The NDAA is the annual authoring legislation for the Department of Defense operations for the year, and often includes initiatives from other committees that effect the Department and its personnel.

I would like to thank Chairman Thornberry, and Ranking Member Smith for the opportunity to testify today before the House Armed Services Committee on this important legislation that will assist in helping the SBA perform its duties, and help our small businesses grow,” concluded Amata.

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