Many law changes, such as tax measures, that are being debated now in Congress will have an impact on small business. But there are some proposals specifically concerning small businesses. As you may know, the House has the Small Business Committee. In the Senate, it’s the Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship. Each has subcommittees on such topics as economic growth, tax, and access to capital; contracting and infrastructure; oversight, investigations, and regulations; rural development, energy, and supply chains; and innovation, entrepreneurship, and workforce development. Legislation related to small business passes through these committees.
The 119th Congress has gotten off to a big start. The following is a rundown of 7 bi-partisan bills that were approved by the House Small Business Committee and passed the House. Action is still required by the Senate. Whether any of these measures will be enacted remains to be seen. They’re listed in the order in which they were introduced in Congress.
Investing in Main Street Act of 2025
H.R. 754 would increase the amount of capital and surplus that a financial institution or federal savings association could invest in an SBIC from 15%; currently it is 5%. Presumably, this would make it easier for small businesses to access capital.
DOE and SBA Research Act
H.R. 788 would foster collaboration between the SBA, National Laboratories, and the Department of Energy (DOE) for research and development activities relating to small business issues. It would also require a collaborative report no later than 2 years after the passage of the bill outlining the research achievements of the agencies. This is designed to keep small businesses in the loop.
Rural Small Business Resilience Act
H.R. 804 would require the Small Business Administration’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resilience to take necessary actions to ensure that individuals located in rural areas where a disaster has been declared have full access to disaster assistance. Such actions would include providing targeted outreach and marketing materials to such individuals.
Successful Entrepreneurship for Reservists and Veterans Act
H.R. 828 would require (1) the Small Business Administration to report on the appointments made to the Interagency Task Force and identify and outline an outreach plan for the promotion of services to veterans; and (2) the Government Accountability Office to report on access to credit for small businesses owned and controlled by veterans, Reservists, or their spouses.
Small Business Procurement and Utilization Reform (SPUR) Act of 2025
H.R. 818 would require federal agencies to include on their annual scorecard for small business contracting the number of small businesses that receive a prime contract for the first time and are owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans, qualified HUBZone small business concerns, small business concerns owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, or small business concerns owned and controlled by women.
Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudster Act
H.R. 825 would prohibit anyone convicted of any crimes relating to financial misconduct or making a false statement with respect to Paycheck Protection Program loans, Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, and Shuttered Venue Operators grants from receiving non-disaster financial assistance from the SBA. The prohibition includes SBA assistance to small businesses that have an owner, officer, director, or key employee who has been convicted of such a crime.
Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2025
Established in 1976, the Office of Advocacy (Advocacy) of SBA is the independent voice for small businesses within the federal government. Advocacy’s creation was premised on the belief that small businesses need representation in the legislative, regulatory, and administrative processes of government that affect them. H.R. 832 would expand the primary functions and additional duties of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to include (1) examining the role of small businesses in the international economy, and (2) representing the views and interests of small businesses before foreign governments and international entities to contribute to regulatory and trade initiatives that may affect small businesses.
Final thoughts
While the above measures are specifically meant for small businesses, other proposals in Congress that affect all businesses will certainly have an impact on small businesses. For example, a proposal to repeal the federal estate tax is viewed as beneficial to family-owned businesses and farms, many of which are small businesses.
Expect to see many other bills this year—some exclusively for small businesses and some for all businesses, but which would impact small businesses. Don’t hesitate to make your needs and concerns known to Congress:
- House: 202-255-5821
- Senate: 202-224-5175
And you can follow the progress of legislation through www.Congress.gov. Enter the bill number to read the text of the measure and to see what’s happened.
