A Democratic bill with 2 Republican cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.
Waiting for a floor vote in the other chamber
Passed one chamber and is on the other chamber's calendar.
The calendar is a queue, not a date. The majority leadership decides what comes to the floor and when; much of what is placed on it is never called, and a bill that is never called simply expires with the Congress.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House voice vote
- Awaiting Senate
- On Senate calendar
The House by voice vote (members called out yes or no together): no member's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
The Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act seeks to amend the Small Business Act to clarify the duties of the Office of Rural Affairs. It establishes specific education, professional experience, and development assistance requirements for the Assistant Administrator. The bill shifts the focus of the office to promote policies and programs for rural small business concerns. Additionally, it mandates that the Assistant Administrator host webinars and outreach events across various regions. Finally, the Act requires regular reporting on the Office's activities, budget, and outreach efforts to Congress and the public.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill mandates increased outreach, webinars, and promotion of federal programs specifically for rural small businesses.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill provides more structured support, outreach, and promotion of resources for small business owners.
- Scored +4
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill requires the Assistant Administrator to submit annual reports on operations, budget, and activities to Congress and the public.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Qualified Leadership: The Assistant Administrator must have specific education, professional experience, or knowledge regarding rural affairs and small business concerns, as well as experience providing development assistance to these concerns (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 2).
-
Increased Outreach and Information: The office is tasked with promoting policies and programs from the Administration and other Federal departments to assist rural small business concerns (Section 2, subsection b, paragraph 1, subparagraph 2B).
-
Direct Engagement Opportunities: The Assistant Administrator is required to host webinars and outreach events in various regions of the United States specifically for rural small business concerns (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 1).
-
Collaborative Networking: Outreach events can include representatives from district offices, resource partners, and Federal or State agencies, providing more connections for small businesses (Section 2, subsection d, paragraph 2).
-
Transparency and Accountability: The Administrator must submit annual reports to Congressional committees regarding the Office's operational details, budget, employee count, and a summary of activities, which must be made publicly available on a website (Section 2, subsection e, paragraph 1 and 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
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 more structured support, outreach, and promotion of resources for small business owners. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill enhances the support network and information flow for economic interests within rural communities.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill mandates increased outreach, webinars, and promotion of federal programs specifically for rural small businesses. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill aims to support rural small business concerns through increased outreach and promotion of policies.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Assistant Administrator to submit annual reports on operations, budget, and activities to Congress and the public.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The bill enhances support and information accessibility for small businesses located in rural areas.
In the queue for a floor vote, with no date set
- 12/2/2025
- Received in the Senate. Read twice. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 282.
- 12/1/2025
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H4916-4917)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 4549.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4916-4917)
- Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 8/15/2025
- Reported by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-225.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 183.
- 8/8/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 7/22/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 23 - 0.
- 7/21/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Brian FitzpatrickRepublican · Pennsylvania
Jared GoldenDemocrat · Maine
Tony WiedRepublican · Wisconsin