Representative Cory Mills (R-FL) has introduced legislation expanding the allowance of employee-owned businesses to enter into contracts with the Department of War.
The Department has launched an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Pilot Program that allows employee-owned businesses to compete for contracts. However, the requirement is that companies be 100% employee-owned, which restricts a significant majority of companies from the process.
As a result, Rep. Mills' Empowering Small-Business Ownership Participation (ESOP) Act requires the Department of War to adopt the Small Business Administration's (SBA) 30% employee-owned requirement, thereby increasing competition.
"Employee-owned companies strengthen our economy, empower workers, and deliver proven value and innovation," said Rep. Mills in a press release. "But the federal government shouldn't impose unnecessary barriers that prevent these businesses from competing. My bill ensures more employee-owned companies can participate in Department of War contracting, enhancing competition, innovation, and outcomes for the American taxpayer."
The Florida Congressman's bill is the latest piece of legislation in recent weeks seeking to promote competition in the private sector, with Representative Kat Cammack (R-FL) pushing for the App Store Freedom Act in a recent Congressional hearing.
Rep. Cammack's bill strengthens app store competition by allowing users to set and install third-party apps or app stores as the default, and to remove or hide pre-installed apps, thereby boosting parental control over the apps their children install.
In the healthcare realm, Representative Aaron Bean (R-FL) has introduced the More Affordable Care Act (MACA), which would create a universal health savings account for medical expenses and allow select people to receive an HSA, and would also let insurance companies compete across state lines instead of restricting them to their own state.
"We're putting patients — not bureaucrats or insurance companies — back in charge of their healthcare," said Rep. Bean in a statement. "With Trump Health Freedom Accounts, competition across state lines, expanded access to employer-sponsored health insurance, and price transparency, this legislation empowers Americans to make informed healthcare decisions."
