Rep. Barry Moore introduces legislation to protect Veteran small businesses

Washington, D.C. — Rep. Barry Moore (AL-01), Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), and Rep. Jake Ellzey (TX-06) introduced legislation to expand opportunities for Service-Disabled Veteran-owned small businesses (SDVOSB). This legislation amends the Small Business Act to include surviving children in the definition of small business concern owned and controlled by service-disabled Veterans.

This would allow the children of deceased service-disabled Veteran small business owners to temporarily run the business for a transition period of three years after the Veteran small business owner passes away.

“As a Veteran and former small business owner, I know that businesses are the lifeblood of families and communities,” said Congressman Moore. “This vital legislation allows family businesses to gracefully transition without losing their service-disabled Veteran owned small business designation and encourages them to hire another service-disabled Veteran in the future."

“We must do all that we can to support our Veterans, especially those who experience disabilities related to their service. This legislation makes an important update to federal law to support small businesses owned by service-disabled Veterans and their families. I’m grateful for the partnership of Congressman Moore on this issue.”  Congresswoman Terri Sewell.

"This bill addresses a significant gap in the current Small Business Act by recognizing the critical role that adult children often play in service-disabled Veteran-owned small businesses," said Congressman Jake Ellzey. "By expanding the definition to include surviving children, we are ensuring that the legacy of our Veterans can continue through their families, providing much-needed stability for these businesses and the communities they serve. This legislation honors the sacrifices of our Veterans while supporting their families.”

“Small businesses like ours are the backbone of every American community. We are delighted that Representatives Moore, Sewell and Ellzey are advocating on behalf of the Veteran-owned small business community. Two generations of our family have worked for decades alongside our employees - many of whom are Veterans themselves – to build a business that has helped VA fulfill its mission to America’s Veterans for over 40 years. For families and businesses like us, this modernization of current law is critically needed. By including surviving children alongside surviving spouses in existing law, small businesses like ours can stabilize and continue business operations, for the benefit of our employees and the veterans we serve, within the spirit of existing law. This is timely, and we urge all members of the House to support this important bill.” Dr. Alfred Seawright, CEO of Medical Place in Montgomery, Alabama.

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