U.S. Reps. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise) and Terri Sewell (D-Birmingham) introduced legislation to protect veteran-owned small businesses across the country in October 2024. The bill, which didn’t receive a vote at the time, would have amended the Small Business Act to allow for the children of recently deceased service-disabled Veterans to temporarily take over their small business for up to three years in the event of the owner’s death.

On Monday, in a continued effort to advocate for America’s veterans, Moore and Britt reintroduced the legislation with renewed hope regarding its passage.

“As a Veteran and former small business owner, I know that businesses are the lifeblood of families and communities,” said Congressman Moore. “This vital legislation allows family businesses to gracefully transition without losing their service-disabled Veteran-owned small business designation and encourages them to hire another service-disabled Veteran in the future.”

Sewell thanked Moore for his teamwork and consistent push to better the lives of veterans and their families.

“We must do all that we can to support our Veterans, especially those who experience disabilities related to their service,” Sewell said. “This legislation makes an important update to federal law to support small businesses owned by service-disabled Veterans and their families. I’m grateful for the partnership of Congressman Moore on this issue.”

The bill has drawn large amounts of support from Alabama’s veteran-owned small businesses

Dr. Alfred Seawright, CEO of Medical Place in Montgomery, Alabama, is thrilled with the work of the two elected officials.

“Small businesses like ours are the backbone of every American community,” said Seawright. “We are delighted that Representatives Moore, Sewell, and Ellzey are advocating on behalf of the Veteran-owned small business community. Two generations of our family have worked for decades alongside our employees – many of whom are Veterans themselves – to build a business that has helped VA fulfill its mission to America’s Veterans for over 40 years.”

Seawright called the amendment to the current law “critically needed.”

“By including surviving children alongside surviving spouses in existing law, small businesses like ours can stabilize and continue business operations, for the benefit of our employees and the veterans we serve, within the spirit of existing law. This is timely, and we urge all members of the House to support this important bill.”

According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2023, veterans owned more than 1.9 million businesses and employed almost 5.5 million Americans.

Austen Shipley is the News Director for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on X @ShipleyAusten