| Interim Solutions for Government |
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| PRESIDENT BUSH SIGNS VETERANS BENEFITS EXPANSION LEGISLATION |
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| New Law Will Increase Support for Disabled Veterans, Surving Spouses, and their Children (Washington - December 16, 2003) - In an Oval Office ceremony held today, President Bush signed HR 2297, the Veterans Benefits Act ot 2003, a bill composed of 7 titles with 39 substantive provisons. All totaled, the new law authorizes $1 billion over the next ten years for new and expanded benefits for disabled veterans, surviving spouses, and children. "For disabled veterans who own or want to start a small business, this new law requires federal agencies and departments to give special consideration during federal contracting and procurement. In 2002, disabled veteran-owned firms received only 0.13% in federal contracts, even though there is a 3% statutory goal," House Veterans Committee Chairman Chris Smith said. The provisions of HR 2297 will require enacting regulations which could take 6-9 months. SBA Deputy Associate Administrator, Office of Veterans Business Development, Ajoy Sinha says the SBA is "expeditiously poring over the newly established law. They are in the process of determining the need to promlugate new rules and regulations to fully implement HR 2297." |
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