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FEDERALhearing transcript

Hearing on Financial Barriers for Minority- and Women-Owned Businesses in Infrastructure

Original title: BUILDING OPPORTUNITY: ADDRESSING THE FINANCIAL BARRIERS TO MINORITY- AND WOMEN-OWNED BUSINESSES' INVOLVEMENT IN INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECTS

January 1, 2022

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The Frame

What this does

This hearing serves as a formal record of legislative inquiry into how federal infrastructure spending can be structured to ensure equitable access for minority- and women-owned firms.

Who is mentioned in the record

Potentially affected actors named in the source documents. Mention is not a position.

Minority-owned businesses

These businesses are the primary subject of the inquiry regarding their ability to access capital and participate in infrastructure contracts.

Women-owned businesses

These businesses are the primary subject of the inquiry regarding their ability to access capital and participate in infrastructure contracts.

What changed

Last recorded activity January 1, 2022.

What's next

Next step not available in the current record.

Summary

The House on Diversity and Inclusion held a virtual hearing on February 3, 2022, to examine financial obstacles faced by minority- and women-owned businesses when participating in infrastructure projects. The session included testimony from industry experts and business leaders regarding access to capital and procurement opportunities.

Key Facts

  • The hearing took place on February 3, 2022, via Webex.
  • The primary focus was identifying financial barriers for minority- and women-owned businesses in infrastructure projects.
  • Five expert witnesses provided testimony, including representatives from Asociar LLC, Center for Economic Inclusion, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, NMSDC, and Gusto.
  • Written statements were submitted for the record by the Credit Union National Association, the Innovative Lending Platform Association, and Women Impacting Public Policy.
  • A 2020 research report on the State of Latino Entrepreneurship was submitted for the record by Representative Sylvia Garcia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the purpose of this hearing?
To discuss and identify the specific financial challenges that minority- and women-owned businesses face when trying to participate in infrastructure projects.
Who testified at the hearing?
The witnesses included Farad Ali (Asociar LLC), Tawanna Black (Center for Economic Inclusion), Philip Gaskin (Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation), Ying McGuire (NMSDC), and Jeanette Quick (Gusto).

Why It Matters

This hearing serves as a formal record of legislative inquiry into how federal infrastructure spending can be structured to ensure equitable access for minority- and women-owned firms.

News Coverage

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Sponsors

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Discoveries

Patterns POLISCOPE noticed across the record. These are observations to investigate, not conclusions.

cross reference90% confidence

Diverse Stakeholder Input

The hearing record includes supplemental submissions from diverse organizations like the Credit Union National Association and the Latino Business Action Network, indicating a broad effort to gather industry-specific data.

Connected Entities

personJeanette QuickHead of Compliance and Public Policy at Gusto, witnessMap →
personJoyce BeattyChairwoman of the Subcommittee on Diversity and InclusionMap →
personTawanna BlackFounder and CEO of Center for Economic Inclusion, witnessMap →
personFarad AliPresident and CEO of Asociar LLC, witnessMap →
personPhilip GaskinVP of Entrepreneurship at Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, witnessMap →
personYing McGuirePresident and CEO of National Minority Supplier Development Council, witnessMap →
organizationSubcommittee on Diversity and InclusionSubcommittee of the House Committee on Financial ServicesMap →

Sources

Open source document

www.govinfo.gov

Analysis Score

0–100
  • Significance40
    How much this matters to a regular citizen
  • Controversy10
    Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
  • Entertainment5
    Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
  • Buzz10
    Current news / social attention level

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