Plain Language in Contracting Act

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Bill ID: 119/hr/787
Last Updated: July 12, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

ID: L000598

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

June 3, 2025

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose the underlying disease.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Plain Language in Contracting Act (HR 787) claims to promote clarity and accessibility in government contracting notices for small businesses. How noble. In reality, this bill is a Band-Aid on a bullet wound, attempting to mask the symptoms of bureaucratic incompetence and cronyism.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires federal agencies to write notices in "plain language" (whatever that means) and include key words for small businesses to easily identify contract opportunities. Oh, wow. What a revolutionary concept. The real change is the creation of more red tape and administrative burdens on already overworked agency staff.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Small business concerns, federal agencies, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are all supposedly impacted by this bill. But let's be real – the only ones who will truly benefit are the lawyers and consultants who will cash in on the new regulations and "plain language" requirements.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic example of "legislative placebo effect." It creates the illusion of action while doing nothing to address the underlying issues plaguing government contracting. The real impact will be:

* Increased bureaucracy and costs for federal agencies * More opportunities for cronyism and favoritism in contract awards * A continued lack of transparency and accountability in government contracting

The "no additional funds authorized" provision is a joke, as it simply means the SBA will have to divert existing resources to implement this bill's requirements. It's like trying to treat a patient with a broken leg by giving them a Band-Aid and telling them to hop on one foot.

In conclusion, HR 787 is a symptom of a deeper disease: the inability of Congress to address real problems and instead opting for feel-good legislation that accomplishes nothing. This bill is a waste of time, money, and resources – a perfect example of legislative malpractice.

Related Topics

Small Business & Entrepreneurship
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💰 Campaign Finance Network

No campaign finance data available for Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 3 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45]

ID: T000491

Top Contributors

10

1
FEHER, ERICA
FEHER LAWMARKETING
OrganizationTORRANCE, CA
$3,300
Feb 22, 2024
2
COTCHETT, PITRE & MCCARTHY LLP
OrganizationBURLINGAME, CA
$1,700
Jul 7, 2024
3
BRACAMONTES VLASAK, PC
OrganizationOAKLAND, CA
$1,000
Mar 31, 2024
4
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$1,000
Aug 27, 2024
5
SOSNICK, AARON
IndividualRENO, NV
$3,392
Jun 24, 2024
6
ABIR, DANNY
ACTS LAW FIRMATTORNEY
IndividualENCINO, CA
$3,300
Oct 2, 2023
7
ABRON, BYRON
BYRON ABRONATTORNEY
IndividualLOS ANGELES, CA
$3,300
Oct 2, 2023
8
ARDALAN, PEZHMAN CHRISTOPHER
ARDALAN & ASSOCIATES, APLCATTORNEY
IndividualTHOUSAND OAKS, CA
$3,300
Oct 2, 2023
9
AREVALO, KRISTY
MCCUNE LAW GROUPATTORNEY
IndividualUPLAND, CA
$3,300
Oct 1, 2023
10
BABBITT, GREGORY
AUTO FRAUD LEGAL CENTERATTORNEY
IndividualSAN DIEGO, CA
$3,300
Nov 24, 2023

Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

ID: T000488

Top Contributors

10

1
LEVY, EDWARD C.
EDW C LEVY COCHAIRMAN
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Jun 30, 2024
2
LEVY, EDWARD C.
EDW C LEVY COCHAIRMAN
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Jul 1, 2024
3
LEVY, EDWARD C.
EDW C LEVY COCHAIRMAN
IndividualBIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Jun 30, 2024
4
SARVER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualPARADISE VALLEY, AZ
$6,600
Aug 5, 2024
5
PATEL, DILIP
JAMSAN HOTEL MANAGEMENTMANAGER
IndividualLEXINGTON, MA
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024
6
SILVERSTON, CHARLES
GIBSON SIRREAL ESTATE
IndividualCHESTNUT HILL, MA
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024
7
SINGH, GURPREET
SELF EMPLOYEDSELF EMPLOYED
IndividualHUNTS POINT, WA
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024
8
AGARWAL, AVADHESH K
N/ARETIRED
IndividualROLLING HILLS, CA
$3,300
Aug 10, 2023
9
JADEJA, ASHA
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualPALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Jul 13, 2023
10
RATHI, VASANT
SPECIALTY ENZYMESOWNER
IndividualYORBA LINDA, CA
$3,300
Aug 10, 2023

Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]

ID: G000604

Top Contributors

10

1
MCLAUGHLIN, JANE
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualLYME, NH
$4,500
Aug 24, 2024
2
FLORY, ROBERT H. JR
FLORY INVESTMENTS, INC.PRESIDENT
IndividualDAMARISCOTTA, ME
$4,100
Sep 30, 2024
3
FLORY, ROBERT H. JR
FLORY INVESTMENTS, INC.PRESIDENT
IndividualDAMARISCOTTA, ME
$4,100
Sep 30, 2024
4
KRAUSZ, STEVEN
US VENTURE PARTNERSVENTURE CAPITAL
IndividualPORTOLA VALLEY, CA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
5
HIRSHBERG, GARY
STONYFIELD FARM INC.SENIOR ADVISOR
IndividualCONCORD, NH
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
6
DRAKE, LAWRENCE C JR
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualPORTSMOUTH, NH
$3,300
Oct 19, 2024
7
CUTLER, DOULGAS
CUTLER MANAGEMENT CORPMANAGEMENT
IndividualDANIA, FL
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
8
JAMES, AMABEL
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualNEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024
9
NUNNELLY, MARK
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualDOVER, MA
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
10
ROBY, DAVID M.
NOT EMPLOYEDNOT EMPLOYED
IndividualLYME, NH
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1]

PACs
Organizations
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Politicians

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Showing 10 nodes and 9 connections

Total contributions: $38,500

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 2 harmed.

  • Section 2(a) implies additional regulatory burden on small business concerns, which may affect private equity and hedge fund investments in these businesses, although the impact is indirect and uncertain.

  • Commercial Banksconfidence 0.50

    Section 2(a) suggests increased clarity requirements for covered notices, potentially affecting how commercial banks interact with small business concerns, but the connection is tenuous and may not have a significant impact.

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