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Republicans on the Small Business Committees face a deadline to scrap Biden-era rules requiring 10% of federal contract resources go to DEI, even as the USDOT warns Maryland over its handling of Francis Scott Key Bridge contracts.
In Congress, the SBIR and STTR programs – dubbed “America’s seed fund(s)” – help small businesses apply for grants across federal agencies, in commercial and technology sectors, respectively.
Ahead of the September 30th reauthorization deadline for both key programs, Sen. Joni Ernst, chair of the Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee, expressed urgency to cut out DEI requirements.
Ernst, R-Iowa, told Fox News Digital her INNOVATE Act – for which Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, also drafted a version earlier this summer – would replace any reauthorization legislation, and remove requirements for DEI considerations and direct grants based on merit, not politics.
Ernst also highlighted some of what she considered the more wasteful grants awarded under the current rubric – including a $1.4 million NIH appropriation for what was entitled a “Mobile App Promoting Sexual Health for Young Black Men Who Have Sex With Men.”
Another health care-related grant she lambasted offered $283,526 for Evidence-Based Parent Training for Diverse Families – citing LGBTQ+ people whose “relationships do not fit within heterosexual…norms [and] are increasingly having children or considering” so. The Pentagon and other agencies had similar such grants approved under previous administrations, according to a source familiar.
With less than a week before the program sunsets unless Congress acts, a source familiar with the talks said many Republicans back Ernst’s push to block such spending and grant rules but acknowledge the math is against them with Democrats united in opposition.
Williams has favored a one-year extension of the current SBIR/STTR program with the clock winding down – giving time to focus on promptly reforming it without being under the gun — but offered a ringing endorsement of both chambers’ similar legislation.
“I want to thank Senator Ernst for her partnership when introducing the House version of her INNOVATE Act in July, and remain in lockstep with her on ensuring contracts are awarded based on merit, not DEI,” Williams told Fox News Digital.
“We must ensure there is no lapse in funding for current, deserving SBIR/STTR participants before the September 30th deadline.”
Meanwhile, across the Anacostia River from the Capitol, Maryland lawmakers got an earful from Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy after he learned of that state’s own rubric for similar contracts.
“In the meantime, we will continue to pursue litigation and make substantial financial contributions by way of advance construction costs and insurance settlement dollars to keep the project moving.”
Moore – who announced last week he would seek re-election instead of a potential 2028 Democratic bid – added the safety of the new FSK Bridge and “sound stewardship” of Marylanders’ tax dollars are paramount to both the Port of Baltimore and people across the country.
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