Crockett, Molinaro Lead Letter Calling for Increased Access to Government Procurement Contracts for Americans with Disabilities

UPDATE 1/31/24: Rep. Crockett has received responses from the following nine offices: AOC, CAO, LOC, GAO, GPO, USCP, OCWR, CBO, Stennis Center 

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30) and Congressman Marc Molinaro (NY-19) led a letter to the Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, the United States Capitol Police, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, the Congressional Budget Office, the Library of Congress, the Architect of the Capitol, the Government Publishing Office, the Government Accountability Office, the Stennis Center for Public Service, the House Committee on Administration, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and Speaker Mike Johnson calling for greater prioritization of businesses employing disabled Americans as listed by the AbilityOne Commission. The members call for government procurement officers within the Legislative Branch to assign resources and staff towards the goal of boosting engagement with the AbilityOne program.

"For almost 100 years, many of the products and services used by the federal government on a daily basis have been provided by Americans with disabilities," said Rep. Crockett. "Americans with disabilities can provide products and services of equal quality to anyone else in the market, but historically haven't always been given a fair shake. That is why the Congress and the Executive Branch are required by law to purchase from Americans with disabilities whenever possible. Unfortunately, over the years, Congress has fallen far behind the Executive Branch in our promotion, transparency, and coordination of the programs. Freshmen like Congressman Molinaro and myself bring in a new perspective - one that sees the ways Congress is falling behind in our support for Americans with disabilities, and that is committed to addressing the problem on a bipartisan basis. I hope House Leadership and House Administration are able to work with us to enhance the House's procurement of products and services from Americans with disabilities."

"While I appreciate the progress that has been made, there is still much more to be done to allow the AbilityOne program to reach its full potential for government offices," said Rep. Molinaro. "Many of my colleagues in Congress are unaware this program even exists. We must ensure AbilityOne products are available and made known to everyone."

The full text of the letter can be viewed here

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Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett represents portions of Dallas and Tarrant Counties, with the cities of Dallas, Grand Prairie, DeSoto, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, Duncanville, Glenn Heights, Hutchins, Wilmer, Arlington, Ovilla, and Seagoville.