Ranking Member Markey Releases New Report on Trump’s Corrupt Federal Contracting Scheme

Federal contracting dollars down 19% under Trump, totaling a loss of more than $47 billion for Main Street

Report: Trump's Contracting Catastrophe: Turning Main Street into Pain Street (PDF)

(Washington, June 12) - Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) released a report highlighting Trump's attack on Main Street through his drastic reduction in federal contracting dollars awarded to American small businesses. Since taking office, President Trump has slashed opportunities for small businesses nationwide through weakened contracting goals, delayed certifications, and contract cancellations. Ranking Member Markey's report comes as the Trump administration awards no-bid federal contracts to favored government contractors at the expense of hardworking entrepreneurs and qualified small businesses.

As a result of Trump's contracting scheme, America's small businesses have lost $47 billion in contracts since January 2025-a 19% decrease from the previous 16 months under the Biden administration. In Massachusetts, small businesses saw a 31% decrease in contracting dollars. Trump's cuts have disproportionately affected minority-owned small businesses, including businesses participating in the (8)a Business Development program, which historically has reduced barriers to entry for socially and economically disadvantaged small businesses.

"While hardworking small businesses across America struggle with rising costs and economic uncertainty, the Trump administration is slashing federal contracting opportunities, shutting out veteran-owned, women-owned, and minority-owned businesses from partnering with the federal government, and rewarding Trump's CEO billionaire buddies with sweetheart deals and no-bid contracts," said Ranking Member Markey. "Small business contracting is down significantly, and Main Street is paying the price. The federal government-the largest buyer of goods and services in the world-should be a partner for Main Street, not a piggy bank for the wealthy and well-connected. We must fight back against this contracting catastrophe and ensure that America's small businesses-not Trump's insiders and enablers-have the opportunity to succeed."

Key findings from Ranking Member Markey's report include:

• Since Trump took office in January 2025, total contract dollars to small businesses nationwide are down 19%, totaling a loss of more than $47 billion of work for small businesses.
• • In Massachusetts, small businesses have lost 31% in contracting dollars since Trump took office.
  • Contract dollars to minority-owned small businesses nationwide are down 22%.
• Since Trump took office, more than 65,000 contracts have been terminated for convenience, meaning no justification was required. More than 60% of those terminated contracts were held by small businesses.
• • 2,874 contracts to 8(a) small businesses were canceled -111% more than were canceled under the Biden administration.
• The federal government has lost more than 6,500 small business partners since Trump took office-an 8% decrease from the previous 16 months.