WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean, whose district includes Clay County, introduced the Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2023 to increase opportunities for private industries to provide goods and services without the threat of taxpayer-funded government competition. This bill puts American businesses first and saves taxpayer dollars from duplicative and wasteful spending.

“Twenty-seven billion dollars – that’s the last estimate of how much our government is wasting on services already provided by American businesses.  Our government has grown too large and wasteful, and my bill says that if small businesses can do the job, then we do not need the federal government competing with them. This will drive down costs for all of us and will result in greater job innovation,” Bean said.

Original cosponsors of the bill include Representatives Greg Steube (FL-17), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Andy Barr (KY-06), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Mary Miller (IL-15), Mark Alford (MO-04) and James Moylan (Guam). This bill has received support from Heritage Action for America, Associated General Contractors, and Business Coalition for Fair Competition.

“The federal government has no place competing against U.S. businesses for goods and services otherwise aptly provided by the private sector. We commend Bean’s bill to ensure commercial and contracted activities are provided at the best value and quality to the taxpayers while maintaining the integrity of services,” said Ryan Walker, Vice President of Government Relations, Heritage Action.

“Construction firms invest heavily in their people, equipment, and craft to deliver construction projects, repairs, and maintenance at the highest quality and best price. When the federal government insources construction services, it does so most often at the expense of many small businesses – including veterans, women, and minority-owned firms – and taxpayers. Fair and open competition drives the best value for taxpayers and the Freedom from Government Competition Act will help ensure taxpayers and small businesses benefit from that competition. The Associated General Contractors of America applauds Representative Bean for standing up for small businesses, taxpayers and fair and open competition with the introduction of this bill,” said Jimmy Christianson, Associated General Contractors, Vice President, Government Relations.

“The Business Coalition for Fair Competition commends Representative Bean for introducing the Freedom from Government Competition Act. This is long overdue, common sense legislation will support free enterprise, particularly small business, while making government more efficient by focusing the federal workforce on inherently governmental activities,” said BCFC President John Palatiello.