White House Asks Federal Agencies to Buy More From Small Disadvantaged Businesses

U.S. President Joe Biden walks across the South Lawn as he leaves the White House on Oct. 7, 2021, in Washington, DC. Biden was traveling to the Chicago area to promote his Build Back Better agenda while also encouraging employers have their employees vaccinated. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images

The White House announced Dec. 2 that it will order federal agencies to direct 11 percent of government spending contracts to minority and underserved small businesses next year at more than twice the current level.

The 11 percent increase goes well beyond the 5 percent mandated by law.