Today Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), Chairman of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, released the following statement on the Small Business Administration’s proposed rule on a women’s contracting program Congress created in 2000 but which the Bush Administration has failed to implement:

“The Bush Administration's proposed rule is a slap in the face to women business owners. We've been trying for seven years to get the Administration to end unfair contracting practices. By cherry picking data, they’ve not only done nothing to level the playing field, they’ve actually shut women out of the process for thousands of different types of contracts. When Administrator Preston testifies before my Committee next month, I will call on the Administration to throw out this rule and put forward a workable, more inclusive proposal that respects women,” said Senator Kerry.

The Small Business Administration’s proposed rule is available online at: http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html.  Under “advanced search” select “proposed rule” and search for: Women-Owned Small Business Federal Contract Assistance Procedures.