By Deborah Billings, Bloomberg BNA Aug. 1 (BNA) -- The federal government awarded $83.1 billion in prime contracts to small businesses in fiscal year 2013, exceeding its 23-percent goal for the first time in eight years, according to official statistics released Aug. 1. However, the government fell 2 percent short of expectations that small firms receive 36 percent of subcontracted… Read more »

 E&E News: In final House appearance, Perciasepe spars with Republicans over waters rule, trust issues By Amanda Peterka, E&E Reporter July 31, 2014  The House Small Business Committee yesterday sent departing U.S. EPA Deputy Administrator Bob Perciasepe off with a contentious hearing over agency regulations.   Throughout the hearing, House lawmakers sparred… Read more »

CQ: Growth of Telehealth May Hinge on Government Commitment By Kerry Young, CQ HealthBeat Associate Editor July 31, 2014 Doctors, researchers and officials at companies such as Humana Inc. are tinkering with ideas for expanding the use of remote medical visits and services, but the true driver for expansion of telehealth likely will be the nation’s biggest purchaser of health… Read more »

POLITICO eHealth: Broadband: The other big obstacle to telemedicine By David Pittman July 31, 2014  A lack of good Internet connections is nearly as big an obstacle to increasing telemedicine as the lack of Medicare funding for the services, witnesses told a congressional hearing Thursday.   Many hospitals and doctors’ offices across the country lack broadband or… Read more »

Bloomberg BNA: EPA Has Lost Credibility With Land Owners, Small Business Committee Republicans Say By Dean Scott July 30, 2014 House Small Business Committee Republicans told a top Environmental Protection Agency official July 30 that the agency has lost credibility with farmers, land owners and small businesses over an April proposal they fear would expand EPA jurisdiction of the… Read more »

Committee to Hold Hearings on the Implementation of Contracting Reforms and Impact of Occupational Licensing on Entrepreneurship The House Small Business Committee, chaired by Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO), today announced the schedule for the week of July 14, 2014:   On Tuesday, July 15, at 1:00 p.m., the Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Workforce, under the chairmanship of… Read more »

Bloomberg BNA: EPA, Army Corps Extend Comment Period For Rule Clarifying Water Act Jurisdiction By Amena H. Saiyidi June 10, 2014 The Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers confirmed that the public has until Oct. 20 to comment on a proposed rule that would clarify Clean Water Act jurisdiction over the nation's waters and wetlands. The agencies said June… Read more »

Bloomberg BNA: EPA Review Finds ‘Continued Need' For Regulating Concentrated Animal Feedlots By Amena H. Saiyidi June 4, 2014 Key Development: The EPA concludes CAFOs need to be regulated and there is no need to revise the rules to minimize impacts to small businesses. Potential Impact: Small CAFOs will not get any regulatory relief from the EPA. June 4 (BNA) -- The Environmental… Read more »

Bloomberg BNA: GAO Report Finds Gaps in Collaboration On Federal, State Export Promotion Efforts By GAO Report Finds Gaps in Collaboration On Federal, State Export Promotion Efforts i June 4, 2014   Export Promotion Efforts Key Development: The Government Accountability Office releases a report examining state, local and federal collaboration on export promotion efforts. Next… Read more »

CQ Roll Call: GOP Presses for Information on Health Law Exchanges By Melissa Attias June 3, 2014  House Republicans continue to scrutinize the rollout of the health care law, sending two letters to the Obama administration Tuesday requesting information about funding for the state-run health insurance exchanges and details about those set up for small businesses. GOP leaders… Read more »