Legislative Activity

The Merger Process Review Act mandates that the Inspector General of each federal banking agency regularly review how merger applications from banks and credit unions are processed. These reviews will evaluate processing times, identify sources of delay, and offer recommendations for improving efficiency. Following each review, the agency must submit a formal response and implementation plan to Congress.

The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act establishes a new Small Business Administration (SBA) loan guarantee program to help U.S.-based small manufacturers finance equipment, facilities, and workforce training. The bill specifically defines eligible small manufacturers as those whose primary business is in manufacturing sectors 31, 32, or 33 and have all production facilities located domestically. Additionally, it increases the maximum loan limits available to these small manufacturers across several existing SBA loan programs.

This bill officially designates November 29, 2025, as "Small Business Saturday." It encourages the observance of this day and supports initiatives that promote local shopping. The goal is to raise awareness about the vital economic role of locally owned small businesses.

The Main Street Parity Act modifies the criteria for Small Business Investment Act loans used for facility acquisition, construction, or expansion. Specifically, it removes certain restrictive clauses related to loan eligibility under Section 502(3)(C). This aims to streamline the process for small businesses seeking capital for physical expansion.

The REAL Meats Act mandates clear and accurate labeling for food products that resemble traditional meat, including those grown in a lab or made from plants. This legislation requires qualifying terms like "cell-cultured" or "plant-based" to appear prominently on the packaging. If these products use traditional meat names like "beef" or "chicken," they must be immediately preceded by terms such as "lab-grown" or "analogue." The goal is to ensure consumers are fully informed about the origin of the food they purchase.

The Reducing Unnecessary Slowdowns in Handling Act establishes strict new processing deadlines for the ATF regarding general and firearm license applications. It mandates quarterly public reporting to Congress detailing application status, processing times, and reasons for delays or denials. Furthermore, the bill requires the ATF to implement internal appeal processes and streamline existing procedures to meet these new timelines without requiring additional funding.

The Merchant Banking Modernization Act amends the Bank Holding Company Act to significantly increase the minimum holding period for merchant banking investments. This legislation mandates that covered investments must be held for a minimum of 15 years. This new minimum applies to both future and existing merchant banking investments.

This bill primarily focuses on extending the authorization for the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs by one year. It pushes the expiration dates for the core programs and several related pilot activities from fiscal year 2025 to fiscal year 2026. This ensures continued federal research and development funding opportunities for small businesses.

The Freedom to Compete Act of 2025 officially codifies Executive Order 14267 into federal law. This action elevates the directives and requirements of the Executive Order to the full authority of statute. The bill ensures the established rules carry the full weight of federal law moving forward.

The Blue Shield Privacy Act of 2025 updates federal law to expand the definition of "restricted personal information." This expansion adds several new categories of sensitive data requiring enhanced privacy protection. Specifically, the bill now includes items like license plate numbers, biometric information, workplace/school addresses, and GPS coordinates.

The INNOVATE Act comprehensively reforms the SBIR and STTR programs to accelerate the transition of small business technology into government use and commercial markets. It introduces new funding mechanisms, like large "strategic breakthrough awards," and creates a fast-track Phase 1A program to bring new businesses into the pipeline. The bill also tightens national security vetting for applicants and streamlines administrative rules to reduce application burdens. Overall, it aims to boost innovation by favoring proven technologies and increasing focus on rural participation while safeguarding federally funded research from foreign influence.

The China Financial Threat Mitigation Act of 2025 mandates a comprehensive study by the Treasury Department and other key agencies to assess U.S. exposure to risks within China's financial sector. This report must analyze potential global financial instability stemming from China and detail current U.S. mitigation efforts. Furthermore, the study will evaluate the trustworthiness of Chinese economic data and recommend further actions to protect American interests. The findings will be delivered to Congress and made publicly available within one year of enactment.

This resolution expresses Congressional approval for the 72nd anniversary celebration of the Small Business Administration (SBA). It formally recognizes American entrepreneurs and small business owners for their vital contributions to the U.S. economy, innovation, and job creation. The bill highlights the essential role of small businesses, which comprise nearly all U.S. firms and employ almost half of all American workers.

The Equal Shot Act of 2025 prohibits the Small Business Administration (SBA) from denying financial assistance to otherwise qualified applicants solely based on their involvement in the firearms industry. This legislation ensures that businesses defined as "firearm entities," their affiliates, or trade associations are not unfairly rejected for SBA loans or guarantees. The Act clearly defines these terms to prevent discrimination against businesses involved in manufacturing, selling, or servicing firearms and related accessories.

The Fuel Emissions Freedom Act aims to eliminate all federal and state regulations concerning vehicle fuel emissions and fuel economy standards. Proponents argue this will reduce consumer costs and regulatory uncertainty for manufacturers. The bill explicitly repeals key sections of the Clean Air Act and U.S. Code related to these standards. Consequently, it prohibits both federal and state governments from establishing or enforcing future emission limits for motor vehicles.

The Stop the Subsidized Green Energy Scam Act aims to immediately terminate federal tax credits for new construction projects involving wind, solar, and battery energy storage facilities. This legislation removes incentives like the Investment Tax Credit and Clean Electricity Production Tax Credit for any qualifying clean energy project that begins construction after the bill is enacted. The goal is to end government subsidies for these specific types of energy generation and storage.

The Protect the First Amendment Act prohibits the federal government from providing funding, grants, or contracts to specific entities, such as NewsGuard Technologies and the Disinformation Index groups, if they engage in "covered behavior." Covered behavior is defined as rating or demonetizing domestic organizations based on their lawful speech, which these entities claim is misinformation or disinformation. This restriction applies to both for-profit companies and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that engage in these rating activities.

The Securities Research Modernization Act updates definitions within the Securities Act of 1933 to broaden the scope of applicable provisions. Specifically, it replaces references to "emerging growth company" with the more general term "issuer" in key sections. This change aims to modernize and streamline regulatory language concerning securities offerings.

This resolution expresses support for officially designating the month of July as "American Patriotism Month." It recognizes the historical significance of American patriotism and encourages citizens and groups to observe the month with appropriate ceremonies celebrating U.S. history and values. The bill further asks the President to issue a yearly proclamation supporting this designation.

The Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025 aims to strengthen the pipeline between skilled CTE graduates and small businesses. This legislation mandates that Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women's Business Centers actively educate businesses on hiring CTE graduates and connect these programs with entrepreneurial resources. The bill officially defines CTE by referencing existing federal law to ensure consistent standards.