A Republican bill with 4 Democratic cosponsors · See all 4 cosponsors
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 395–14
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
The "AI for Main Street Act" amends the Small Business Act to require small business development centers to help small businesses use artificial intelligence. These centers will provide information, guidance, and training on AI best practices and how to integrate AI into business operations. This includes help with cybersecurity, data protection, and regulatory compliance. The act also defines "artificial intelligence" by referencing the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020. No additional funding is authorized to carry out these requirements.
Yes· 3 of 30
- Scored +9
Would business owners be better off under this?
Directly provides resources, training, and guidance for small business owners to implement AI.
- Scored +8
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
Directly mandates that development centers provide AI training and guidance to small businesses.
- Scored +4
Would farmers be better off under this?
Farmers often run small business operations and can use AI for operational efficiency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 395 yes · 14 no
01/20/2026 · Roll call 33 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
AI Guidance and Training: Small business concerns can receive information and training on using artificial intelligence and best practices, which helps them incorporate AI into their operations (Section 2(a)(5)(W)(i)).
-
Business Protection and Planning: Small businesses can get help using AI to protect intellectual property, improve cybersecurity, plan for unexpected circumstances, and facilitate regulatory compliance (Section 2(a)(5)(W)(i)(II)).
-
Increased Trust and Outreach: The act requires centers to conduct outreach to small businesses regarding AI and provides guidance on using AI to improve customer trust (Section 2(a)(5)(W)(i)(II) and (ii)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Additional Funding: Section 3 states that no additional amounts are authorized to carry out this Act, which may limit the resources available to actually provide these new services.
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? — Directly provides resources, training, and guidance for small business owners to implement AI. Would farmers be better off under this? — Farmers often run small business operations and can use AI for operational efficiency. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — Minority-owned small businesses can benefit from AI guidance to increase competitiveness. Would Asian Americans be better off under this? — Minority-owned small businesses can benefit from AI guidance to increase competitiveness. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — Minority-owned small businesses can benefit from AI guidance to increase competitiveness. Would immigrants be better off under this? — Immigrant entrepreneurs owning small businesses benefit from the AI support. Would LGBTQ people be better off under this? — LGBTQ entrepreneurs owning small businesses benefit from the AI support. Would men be better off under this? — Men entrepreneurs owning small businesses benefit from the AI support. Would people in middle age be better off under this? — Small business owners in this age group benefit from operational AI guidance. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Many middle-class individuals are small business owners who benefit from this support. Would Native Americans be better off under this? — Minority-owned small businesses can benefit from AI guidance to increase competitiveness. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — Business owners with disabilities can leverage AI for better accessibility and operations. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — Rural small business owners benefit from the provided AI services. Would people in cities be better off under this? — Urban small business owners benefit from the provided AI services. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veteran-owned small businesses can benefit from the AI training. Would white Americans be better off under this? — Small business owners in this demographic benefit from the AI guidance. Would women be better off under this? — Women entrepreneurs owning small businesses benefit from the AI support. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — Young entrepreneurs are likely to be early adopters of AI training. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees starting second-career small businesses can utilize the AI training. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Seniors owning small businesses can receive assistance to modernize. Would students be better off under this? — Students starting new small ventures can use these centers for AI guidance.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — Directly mandates that development centers provide AI training and guidance to small businesses. Is this likely to grow the economy? — Assisting small businesses with AI adoption can enhance competitiveness and economic productivity. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — Guidance on improving customer trust through AI can indirectly benefit consumers. Is this likely to create jobs? — AI integration in small businesses can lead to increased efficiency and potential growth/hiring. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The act mandates new services without authorizing additional government spending.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — Provides guidance to small businesses on using AI to protect data. Does this make patent and copyright rules fairer? — Helps small businesses use AI to protect their intellectual property.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this better protect the country from computer attacks? — Provides small businesses with guidance on using AI to improve cybersecurity.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — Small businesses in rural areas can benefit from AI training provided by development centers.
- 1/26/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- 1/20/2026
- 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, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 14 (Roll no. 33). (text: CR H931)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 395 - 14 (Roll no. 33). (text: CR H931)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H940)
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 5764.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H931-932)
- Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 12/12/2025
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-403.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 351.
- 11/18/2025
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 27 - 0.
- 11/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 11/12/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/28/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/17/2025
- 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.
Gilbert CisnerosDemocrat · California
Josh HarderDemocrat · California
Hillary ScholtenDemocrat · Michigan
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia