FAQ on the Amicus Brief and the Women's Federal Procurement Program (click on links below) 1. Tell your congressional leaders that you want them to support women business owners by signing on to the amicus brief.  (Has your representative signed on to support women business owners?  Go here to see.) Tell your local media that you want the SBA to implement the Women's Federal Procurement Program. We Need Your Support! Help us outreach on this important issue.  Join our  "Instant Influence" team to outreach to the media and to other women business owners.  Interested in attending the press conference? Be part of the history of opportunity for women. Join us on May 26th, 2005 at 9:30 am.  Register here to let us know you will be there to support the women business owners of America. When: Thursday, May 26th at 9:30 am Where: Cannon Terrace (just south of the U.S. Capitol, between Cannon and Longworth House Office Buildings - at the intersection of Independence and New Jersey) Who has signed on to the brief? 2. What is an 'amicus brief'? 3. Where can I read more about the USWCC claim against the SBA? 4. The SBA has been quoted talking about the NAS study. 5. Where can I read more about women businesses access federal procurement opportunities? 6.  What else are you doing to assist women access federal markets? 7. Where and when is the press conference? 1. Who has signed on to the brief?  (Note, we will keep this updated frequently.)  51 so far. Rep. Raúl Grijalva, AZ-07 Rep. Hilda Solis, CA-32 Rep. Linda Sanchez, CA-39 Rep. Marcy Kaptur, OH-09 Rep. James Oberstar, MN-08 Rep. Edolphus Towns, NY-10 Rep. Janice Schakowsky, IL-09 Rep. John Barrow, GA-12 Rep. Ed Case, HI-02 Rep. Madeleine Bordallo, Guam Rep. Susan Davis, CA-53 Rep. Danny Davis, IL-07 Rep. Luis Gutierrez, IL-04 Rep. Bob Menendez, NJ-13 Rep. José Serrano, NY-16 Rep. Lucille Roybal-Allard, CA-34 Rep. Grace Napolitano, CA-38 Rep. Dennis Cardoza, CA-18 Rep. Charles Gonzalez, TX-20 Rep. Silvestre Reyes, TX-16 Rep. Ed Pastor, AZ-04 Rep. Joe Baca, CA-43 Rep. Solomon Ortiz, TX-27 Rep. Xavier Becerra, CA-31 Rep. Rubén Hinojosa, TX-15 Rep. Jim Cooper, TN-05 Rep. Jim Costa, CA-20 Rep. Michael Michaud, ME-02 Rep. Ellen Tauscher, CA-10 Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, OH-11 Rep. David Scott, GA-13 Rep. David Price, NC-04 Rep. Shelley Berkley, NV-01 Rep. Zoe Lofgren, CA-16 Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, TX-18 Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson, TX-30 Rep. Nancy Pelosi, CA-08 Rep. Melissa Bean, IL-08 Rep. Donald Payne, NJ-10 Rep. Joseph Crowley, NY-07 Rep. Sherrod Brown, OH-13 Rep. Jim McGovern, MA-03 Rep. Lois Capps, CA-23 Rep. Lynn Woolsey, CA-06 Rep. Steny Hoyer, MD-05 Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, FL-20 Rep. Albert Wynn, MD-04 Rep. Stephanie Herseth, SD Rep. James Moran, VA-08 Rep. Juanita Millender-McDonald, CA-37 Rep. Tom Udall, NM-03 (top) 2. What is an "amicus brief?" And, why are these members of congress filing such a brief? "... a phrase that literally means "friend of the court" -- someone who is not a party to the litigation, but who believes that the court's decision may affect its interest." William H. Rehnquist, The Supreme Court, page 89. The members of congress are interested in filing this 'friend of the court' brief as they are concerned that the laws they create should be implemented rather than selectively ignored. (top) 3. Where can I read more about the USWCC claim against the SBA? Go here to read our first press release on the claim. (top) 4. The SBA has been quoted talking about the NAS study. Yes. The SBA has used all sorts of methods to delay implementing this law - including poorly preparing the study that was required prior to implementing the program. Consequently their latest excuse really boils down to - 'we are incompetent - therefore, we have not implemented the program.' Go here to read all about it. (top) 5. Where can I read more about women businesses access federal procurement opportunities? We suggest you read our report on this issue here. (top) 6. What else are you doing to assist women access federal markets? Lots!  All USWCC supporting members receive supporting membership in the National Procurement Council - the nation's premiere trade association supporting small business access to federal procurement markets.   NPC and the USWCC recently presented the National Small Business Federal Procurement Summit in Washington, DC.  This is the premiere opportunity for small business owners to gain access to information and connections. We also held a one day MOBIS Schedule workshop.   NPC is establishing regional councils to help small businesses secure federal and local government contracts. (top) 7. Where and when is the press conference? Register here to let us know you will be there to support the women business owners of America. When: Thursday, May 26th at 9:30 am Where: Cannon Terrace (just south of the U.S. Capitol, between Cannon and Longworth House Office Buildings - at the intersection of Independence and New Jersey) (top) The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce™ is the pre-eminent national women's chamber of commerce network whose mission is to develop leaders, accelerate economic growth and provide a community voice for women. The USWCC formed its Women's Procurement Program in 2003 as a nationwide initiative to assist women in business to make the leap to proportionate levels of economic achievement through increased success in corporate and government procurement markets. Membership in the USWCC, a not-for-profit 501(c)6 organization founded in 2001, is also growing through councils and strategic alliances across the U.S. Creating and representing the next generation of leadership for women, the USWCC is women's connection to influence, education, opportunity and advancement. Its headquarters offices are located in Washington, D.C. For more information on the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce™, please see the organization's full-feature Web site: www.uswomenschamber.com. If you would like to join the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce - go here.  If you have questions, please submit them here or call 888-41-USWCC.