The "Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2025" updates the functions and duties of the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy to better represent small business interests, including in the international economy and before foreign governments.
Roger Williams
Representative
TX-25
The "Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2025" updates the functions and duties of the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy. These updates include adding the international economy to the Office's considerations and ensuring accuracy in terminology. The Act also expands the Office's duties to include representing small business interests before foreign governments and international entities, contributing to relevant regulatory and trade initiatives.
| Party | Total Votes | Yes | No | Did Not Vote |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | 217 | 193 | 15 | 9 |
Democrat | 215 | 203 | 0 | 12 |
Small Business Advocacy Office Gets Expanded Role in International Trade Under New Bill
The Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2025 primarily updates the job description of the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Advocacy. The core change? Giving this office the power to represent small businesses in front of foreign governments and international bodies, especially when it comes to trade regulations. (SEC. 2.)
New Turf for the SBA's Advocacy Office
This bill amends existing law, specifically Section 202 of Public Law 94-305. It does a few things. First, it formally adds "the international economy" to the office's areas of concern. It makes some minor corrections to the existing law. For instance, it changes "complete" to "compete" in paragraph (9) and "serviced-disabled" to "service-disabled" in paragraph (12)—basically, fixing typos. (SEC. 2.)
The bill also amends Section 203(a) of Public Law 94-305. It adds a new duty: representing the views and interests of small businesses before foreign governments and international entities. This means the office will now have a direct role in shaping international regulations and trade deals that impact small businesses.(SEC. 2.)
Real-World Rollout
Imagine you're a small business owner exporting handcrafted goods. Previously, if a foreign country imposed a new regulation that made it harder for you to sell your products, you might have had limited options. Now, the SBA's Office of Advocacy can step in and advocate on your behalf, directly engaging with that foreign government or international organization.
Or, picture you run a small tech company. You are trying to do business overseas. The Office of Advocacy can now work to make sure your voice is heard. This change could mean more small businesses get a seat at the table when international trade rules are made.
Challenges and Connections
While the bill aims to boost small business interests, it's worth noting that the practical impact will depend on how actively the Office of Advocacy uses its new authority. Effective representation will require resources, expertise in international trade law, and strong relationships with foreign entities. The bill doesn't specify additional funding or staffing, so those could be limiting factors.
This Act is a good example of how seemingly small legislative tweaks can have a ripple effect. By expanding the SBA's Advocacy Office's role, the bill could open new doors for small businesses in the global marketplace. It also reflects a growing recognition that international trade isn't just for big corporations anymore.