A Republican bill with 15 Republican cosponsors · See all 15 cosponsors
Last activity — Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.
Introduced, nothing more yet
Formally proposed, and not yet handed to a committee.
Nearly every bill is sent to a committee within days. Introduction alone is not a sign of support, of momentum, or of any likelihood of passing — any member may introduce any bill.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
What this bill would do
The "Business over Ballots Act" aims to limit the Small Business Administration's (SBA) authority regarding voter registration. It states that the SBA should focus on helping small businesses and that facilitating voter registration is outside its mission. The bill prohibits the SBA Administrator from taking actions to facilitate voter registration unless authorized by Federal law. It also requires contracts to forbid the use of assistance for voter registration. Additionally, the SBA cannot use "covered entities" to engage in voter registration activities without Congressional authorization.
Yes
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Ensures SBA focuses exclusively on business support rather than social activities.
- Scored +2
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill emphasizes that the SBA should prioritize its primary mission of aiding and assisting small business concerns.
The opposite· 3 of 12
- Scored -7
Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice?
The bill explicitly prohibits the SBA and its contractors from facilitating voter registration.
- Scored -5
Does this protect the right to vote?
The bill restricts the SBA's ability to facilitate access to voter registration.
- Scored -4
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
Low-income individuals may face greater barriers to registration when agency-facilitated access is removed.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Focus on Small Business Support: Section 2 states that the SBA should focus on aiding and assisting small business concerns, which ensures the agency prioritizes its primary mission of helping businesses.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Reduced Access to Voter Registration: Section 3(a) prohibits the SBA Administrator from taking actions to facilitate access to voter registration unless authorized by Federal law, which may limit ways people can register to vote.
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Restrictions on Assistance Recipients: Section 3(b) and 3(c) prevent people or entities receiving assistance or contracts from the SBA from using that assistance to facilitate voter registration.
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Limitations on Covered Entities: Section 3(d) prevents the SBA from requesting that covered entities (such as State or local governments receiving SBA funding) engage in activities to facilitate voter registration.
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? — Ensures SBA focuses exclusively on business support rather than social activities. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Communities that historically face higher barriers to voting may be negatively impacted by reduced registration facilitation. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Communities that historically face higher barriers to voting may be negatively impacted by reduced registration facilitation. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Low-income individuals may face greater barriers to registration when agency-facilitated access is removed. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Communities that historically face higher barriers to voting may be negatively impacted by reduced registration facilitation. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Individuals with disabilities may lose helpful facilitation of registration services. Would students be better off under this? — Students are a key demographic for facilitated voter registration efforts. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young adults often rely more on diverse registration channels which this bill restricts. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Potential reduction in accessible registration points may impact marginalized groups.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make casting a ballot easier in practice? — The bill explicitly prohibits the SBA and its contractors from facilitating voter registration. Does this protect the right to vote? — The bill restricts the SBA's ability to facilitate access to voter registration.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make elections run better? — It limits the use of government agency resources to facilitate voter registration. Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill restricts the executive branch's ability to direct an agency's activities via executive order.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill emphasizes that the SBA should prioritize its primary mission of aiding and assisting small business concerns.
- 10/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/30/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.
- 4/28/2025
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/17/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Small Business, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 12 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Mark AlfordRepublican · Missouri
Robert BresnahanRepublican · Pennsylvania
Troy DowningRepublican · Montana
Jake EllzeyRepublican · Texas
Brad FinstadRepublican · Minnesota
Russell FryRepublican · South Carolina
Brian JackRepublican · Georgia
Kimberlyn King-HindsRepublican · Northern Mariana Islands
Nick LaLotaRepublican · New York
Daniel MeuserRepublican · Pennsylvania
Jimmy PatronisRepublican · Florida
Pete StauberRepublican · Minnesota
Derek SchmidtRepublican · Kansas
Beth Van DuyneRepublican · Texas
Tony WiedRepublican · Wisconsin