Plain Language in Contracting Act

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/hr/787
Last Updated: October 9, 2025

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 4, 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

Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Transportation & Infrastructure State & Local Government Affairs National Security & Intelligence Congressional Rules & Procedures Government Operations & Accountability Federal Budget & Appropriations Small Business & Entrepreneurship Civil Rights & Liberties
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

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

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$133,000
20 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$1,000
Committees
$0
Individuals
$132,000

No PAC contributions found

1
DEMOCRACY ENGINE, INC., PAC
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
LEVY, EDWARD
2 transactions
$13,200
2
BARATTA, JOSEPH P II
1 transaction
$6,600
3
SCHWARZMAN, CHRISTINE
1 transaction
$6,600
4
SCHWARZMAN, STEPHEN
1 transaction
$6,600
5
SABIN, ANDREW
1 transaction
$6,600
6
DEGEORGE, JOSEPH
1 transaction
$6,600
7
XU, MAODONG
1 transaction
$6,600
8
SILVERMAN, JEFFREY
1 transaction
$6,600
9
SINGER, PAUL
1 transaction
$6,600
10
GILLIAM, RICHARD
1 transaction
$6,600
11
MCMAHON, LINDA E
1 transaction
$6,600
12
WEEKLEY, RICHARD
1 transaction
$6,600
13
EMMET, RICHARD
1 transaction
$6,600
14
SCHWAB, CHARLES
1 transaction
$6,600
15
STEPHENS, WARREN A
1 transaction
$6,600
16
STERN, ELIZABETH
1 transaction
$6,600
17
RICHARDS, DANIEL
1 transaction
$6,600
18
MATUSZEWSKI, DANIEL
1 transaction
$6,600
19
VANDERSLOOT, FRANK
1 transaction
$6,600

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
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
Organization PRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024
2
FEDERATED INDIANS FO GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$1,000
Jul 31, 2024
3
FEHER, ERICA
FEHER LAW MARKETING
Organization TORRANCE, CA
$3,300
Feb 22, 2024
4
COTCHETT, PITRE & MCCARTHY LLP
Organization BURLINGAME, CA
$1,700
Jul 7, 2024
5
BRACAMONTES VLASAK, PC
Organization OAKLAND, CA
$1,000
Mar 31, 2024
6
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
Organization ROHNERT PARK, CA
$1,000
Aug 27, 2024
7
HOFFMAN, LYNETTE F
RETIRED
Individual WINLOCK, WA
$250
Jan 30, 2024
8
RUBANOVICH, ANDREW
FTI PROGRAMMER
Individual NORTHBROOK, IL
$250
Jul 20, 2024
9
BEISHEIM, THOMAS
RETIRED
Individual PLEASANT HILL, CA
$100
May 17, 2024
10
BEISHEIM, THOMAS
RETIRED
Individual PLEASANT HILL, CA
$100
May 17, 2024

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

ID: T000488

Top Contributors

10

1
LEVY, EDWARD C.
EDW C LEVY CO CHAIRMAN
Individual BIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Jun 30, 2024
2
LEVY, EDWARD C.
EDW C LEVY CO CHAIRMAN
Individual BIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Jul 1, 2024
3
LEVY, EDWARD C.
EDW C LEVY CO CHAIRMAN
Individual BIRMINGHAM, MI
$6,600
Jun 30, 2024
4
SARVER, ROBERT
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PARADISE VALLEY, AZ
$6,600
Aug 5, 2024
5
PATEL, DILIP
JAMSAN HOTEL MANAGEMENT MANAGER
Individual LEXINGTON, MA
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024
6
SILVERSTON, CHARLES
GIBSON SIR REAL ESTATE
Individual CHESTNUT HILL, MA
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024
7
SINGH, GURPREET
SELF EMPLOYED SELF EMPLOYED
Individual HUNTS POINT, WA
$3,300
Oct 27, 2024
8
AGARWAL, AVADHESH K
N/A RETIRED
Individual ROLLING HILLS, CA
$3,300
Aug 10, 2023
9
JADEJA, ASHA
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PALO ALTO, CA
$3,300
Jul 13, 2023
10
RATHI, VASANT
SPECIALTY ENZYMES OWNER
Individual YORBA LINDA, CA
$3,300
Aug 10, 2023

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

ID: G000604

Top Contributors

10

1
MCLAUGHLIN, JANE
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual LYME, NH
$4,500
Aug 24, 2024
2
FLORY, ROBERT H. JR
FLORY INVESTMENTS, INC. PRESIDENT
Individual DAMARISCOTTA, ME
$4,100
Sep 30, 2024
3
FLORY, ROBERT H. JR
FLORY INVESTMENTS, INC. PRESIDENT
Individual DAMARISCOTTA, ME
$4,100
Sep 30, 2024
4
KRAUSZ, STEVEN
US VENTURE PARTNERS VENTURE CAPITAL
Individual PORTOLA VALLEY, CA
$3,300
Oct 23, 2024
5
HIRSHBERG, GARY
STONYFIELD FARM INC. SENIOR ADVISOR
Individual CONCORD, NH
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
6
DRAKE, LAWRENCE C JR
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual PORTSMOUTH, NH
$3,300
Oct 19, 2024
7
CUTLER, DOULGAS
CUTLER MANAGEMENT CORP MANAGEMENT
Individual DANIA, FL
$3,300
Oct 17, 2024
8
JAMES, AMABEL
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual NEW YORK, NY
$3,300
Oct 24, 2024
9
NUNNELLY, MARK
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual DOVER, MA
$3,300
Oct 21, 2024
10
ROBY, DAVID M.
NOT EMPLOYED NOT EMPLOYED
Individual LYME, NH
$3,300
Oct 28, 2024

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

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

Loading...

Showing 30 nodes and 30 connections

Total contributions: $173,100

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

Showing top 20 donors by contribution amount

1 Org19 Individuals