A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Contract Our Veterans Act of 2026" aims to amend the Small Business Act to support veterans in business. It seeks to establish a specific participation goal for small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans in federal procurement contracts. The bill allows contracting officers to award contracts to these businesses through non-competitive procedures or restricted competitions under certain conditions. It also mandates that a governmentwide goal of at least 5 percent of total prime contract and subcontract awards be directed toward these veteran-owned businesses. Additionally, the legislation updates various reporting, oversight, and mentoring requirements to include this specific group of small businesses.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together?
The bill provides targeted federal contract goals to support veteran-owned businesses.
- Scored +7
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill explicitly mandates a 5 percent goal for federal contract awards to veteran-owned small businesses.
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
It creates significant new market opportunities for veteran small business owners.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Contract Opportunities for Veterans: The bill establishes a goal for participation by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans that shall be at least s 5 percent of the total value of all prime contract and subcontract awards for each fiscal year (Section 3(a)).
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Streamlined Award Processes for Veteran Owners: Contracting officers may award contracts to responsible, veteran-owned small businesses using procedures other than competitive procedures if the price is fair, reasonable, and offers best value (Section 2(b)).
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Targeted Competition for Veteran Businesses: Competition can be restricted specifically to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans if there is a reasonable expectation that two or more such businesses will submit offers and the award provides best value (Section 2(c)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Eligibility Requirements for Business Owners: To be eligible for a contract under this section, the small business concern and the veteran owner must be listed in the specific database described in section 36(f)(1) (Section 2(d)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill provides targeted federal contract goals to support veteran-owned businesses. Would business owners be better off under this? — It creates significant new market opportunities for veteran small business owners.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill explicitly mandates a 5 percent goal for federal contract awards to veteran-owned small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — By fostering veteran-owned businesses through federal contracts, it may stimulate job creation in that sector. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill supports small business growth by providing more diverse procurement opportunities.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill provides economic and business benefits specifically for veterans.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill increases federal procurement mandates for specific groups.
- 8/4/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/24/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 3/3/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Ted BuddRepublican · North Carolina
Alex PadillaDemocrat · California
Adam SchiffDemocrat · California