Gilbert Cisneros (D-CA)
8(a) Small Business Integrity and Stability Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The ``8(a) Small Business Integrity and Stability Act of 2026'' directs the Small Business Administration to extend and reinstate participation in the 8(a) Program. It instructs the Administrator to extend the participation term by one year for certain small business concerns that were active between January 20, 2025, and September 30, 2026. The bill also allows for the reinstatement of "covered concerns" that had their participation terminated or voluntarily withdrew during specific timeframes. Furthermore, it mandates that specific social disadvantage regulations be applied to eligible program participants.
Yes· 3 of 9
- Scored +7
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides direct benefit to small business owners through program extensions and reinstatements.
- Scored +7
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill directly extends and reinstates participation in the 8(a) Program to support small businesses.
- Scored +5
Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated?
The bill reinforces social disadvantage regulations for 8(a) program participants, which historically supports minority-owned businesses.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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One-Year Program Extension: Small business concerns that participated in the 8(a) Program between January 20, 2025, and September 30, 2026, can have their participation extended by one year, provided they do not decline (Section 3(a)).
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Reinstatement of Terminated or Withdrawn Businesses: Certain "covered concerns" can be reinstated as if their participation was never terminated or voluntarily withdrawn (Section 4(a)). This includes businesses that had participation terminated due to failure to comply with specific information requests or those that voluntarily withdrew between January 19, 2026, and October 1, 2026 (Section 4(c)).
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Option to Extend Reinstated Participation: Businesses that are reinstated through the process described in this bill have the option to extend their participation for an additional year (Section 4(b)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Restrictions on Official Travel: If the Administrator fails to issue a final rule regarding the program extension within 75 days of the Act's enactment, they are prohibited from using funds for official travel until the rule is submitted (Section 3(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill provides direct benefit to small business owners through program extensions and reinstatements. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The 8(a) program and its social disadvantage regulations disproportionately benefit African American entrepreneurs. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — The expansion of 8(a) participation provides opportunities for Asian American small business owners. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The expansion of 8(a) participation provides opportunities for Hispanic small business owners. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The expansion of 8(a) participation provides opportunities for Native American small business owners.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill directly extends and reinstates participation in the 8(a) Program to support small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — By extending and reinstating participation in the 8(a) program, the bill supports small business stability which can aid job creation. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill supports the continuity of small business program participation which promotes local economic activity.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill reinforces social disadvantage regulations for 8(a) program participants, which historically supports minority-owned businesses.
- 8/10/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
Nydia VelázquezDemocrat · New York