Rules Committee · Jun 6, 2025
H.Amdt. 29: Its purpose is not yet published.
Adopted
With no one objecting, no names recorded
A Republican bill with 1 Republican cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 217–190
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The ``American Entrepreneurs First Act of 2025'' requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to implement new documentation requirements for certain loan programs. Applicants for loans under section 7(a) of the Small Business Act or title V of the Small Business Investment Act must provide specific citizenship status information. This includes dates of birth and certifications regarding citizenship or permanent residency status. The bill also requires documentation of alien registration numbers for lawful permanent residents. It establishes specific categories of individuals who are considered "ineligible persons." These individuals are prohibited from receiving these loans.
Yes
- Scored +5
Does this give the federal government more power?
The bill expands the federal government's oversight and requirements for SBA loan applicants.
- Scored +2
Would white Americans be better off under this?
The bill favors citizens and permanent residents, which statistically benefits the majority white demographic.
The opposite· 3 of 11
- Scored -8
Would immigrants be better off under this?
The bill explicitly excludes many categories of immigrants, such as refugees, asylees, and visa holders, from receiving SBA loans.
- Scored -5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill limits access to SBA loan programs for various groups of entrepreneurs, potentially hindering small business growth.
- Scored -4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill imposes new documentation requirements and excludes many potential business owners from federal loan programs.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: the vote on whether to pass the bill This is the real decision in this chamber. Passing here sends the bill to the other chamber, which must pass it too before it can go to the President. Passed 217 yes · 190 no
06/06/2025 · Roll call 156 · recorded as “On Passage”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Standardized Documentation Requirements: The bill requires applicants to provide the date of birth for individuals or owners, which establishes a specific set of required information for the loan application process (Section 2(a)(1)).
-
Clear Ownership Certification: The act requires certification that an applicant concern is 100 percent beneficially owned by citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents, which sets a specific standard for ownership (Section 2(a)(2)(B)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Loan Ineligibility for Specific Groups: Individuals classified as asylees, refugees, visa holders, certain nonimmigrants, individuals with deferred action (DACA), or those without lawful status are considered "ineligible persons" and cannot receive these loans (Section 2(c)).
-
Ownership Restrictions: An applicant concern can be deemed ineligible for a loan if any direct or indirect owner is an "ineligible person" (Section 2(b)(2)).
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Increased Documentation Burdens: Lawful permanent residents who are applicants or owners must provide documentation of their alien registration number (Section 2(a)(4)).
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Application Rejection for Missing Information: Any loan application submitted after the act's enactment that lacks the required information regarding date of birth, status certification, or owner eligibility will result in ineligibility (Section 2(b)(1)).
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 white Americans be better off under this? — The bill favors citizens and permanent residents, which statistically benefits the majority white demographic. Would immigrants be better off under this? — The bill explicitly excludes many categories of immigrants, such as refugees, asylees, and visa holders, from receiving SBA loans. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill imposes new documentation requirements and excludes many potential business owners from federal loan programs. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The restrictions on visa holders and undocumented individuals can have a significant impact on the Hispanic community. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The exclusion of DACA and other non-citizen statuses may disproportionately impact minority demographics. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The restriction on loans for asylees, refugees, and those with deferred status may impact low-income entrepreneurial efforts. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Visa holders, a significant demographic in some Asian-American communities, are explicitly excluded.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — By excluding asylees, refugees, and DACA recipients from business loans, the bill may disproportionately impact minority communities. Does this make it easier for immigrants already here to become citizens? — The bill creates financial barriers for non-citizens, including those with legal status like visa holders and refugees. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Restricting loan access for vulnerable populations like DACA recipients and refugees may hinder their economic mobility.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill limits access to SBA loan programs for various groups of entrepreneurs, potentially hindering small business growth.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill expands the federal government's oversight and requirements for SBA loan applicants. Does this protect people from being watched or searched? — The bill requires the collection of specific sensitive information like dates of birth and status documentation for loan applicants.
- 6/9/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- 6/6/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 190 (Roll no. 156).
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 190 (Roll no. 156). (text: CR H2510-2511)
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2966.
- Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2483, H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966 and H.R. 2987. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2483 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966, and H.R. 2987 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 458. (consideration: CR H2510-2515)
- 6/3/2025
- Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 458 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2483, H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966 and H.R. 2987. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2483 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966, and H.R. 2987 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
- 5/21/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-112.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 83.
- 4/30/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.
- 4/17/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Michael CloudRepublican · Texas