Mike Carey (R-OH)
New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 6 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
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 voice vote
- In Senate committee
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
This Act, titled the "New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency Act," seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It specifically modifies the rules regarding how states administer self-employment assistance programs. The bill eliminates the requirement that participants must be likely to exhaust regular unemployment compensation. It also modifies requirements for participating in approved self-employment activities and introduces a weekly certification requirement. Additionally, the bill increases the limitation on the number of individuals participating in these programs.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +5
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The bill enhances support for new entrepreneurs by allowing activities to include training, counseling, and technical assistance based on approved business plans.
- Scored +4
Does this increase support for people who lose their jobs?
The bill makes it easier to access self-employment assistance by eliminating the requirement that participants are likely to exhaust regular unemployment compensation.
- Scored +4
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill facilitates the start of new businesses by expanding and diversifying self-employment assistance activities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Participation Capacity: The bill increases the limitation on the number of individuals participating in these programs from 5 to 10 under Section 2(d). This could allow more people to access the program.
-
Expanded Activity Options: Under Section 2(b), self-employment assistance activities can include entrepreneurial training, business counseling, and technical assistance, or activities performed pursuant to a business plan and market feasibility study approved by a State or its designated agency.
-
Removal of Exhaustion Requirement: Section 2(a) strikes the requirement that participants are likely to exhaust regular unemployment compensation, which changes how individuals qualify for these programs.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Increased Administrative Burden for Participants: Section 2(c) adds a requirement where individuals must be certifying their activities on at least a weekly basis to an agency designated by the State.
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.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill enhances support for new entrepreneurs by allowing activities to include training, counseling, and technical assistance based on approved business plans. Does this increase support for people who lose their jobs? — The bill makes it easier to access self-employment assistance by eliminating the requirement that participants are likely to exhaust regular unemployment compensation. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill expands self-employment assistance programs by doubling the participant limit and removing the unemployment exhaustion requirement.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill facilitates the start of new businesses by expanding and diversifying self-employment assistance activities. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill increases the capacity of self-employment assistance programs, which can help low-income individuals transition to business ownership. Would union members be better off under this? — The bill increases the availability of self-employment assistance programs for workers looking to transition out of traditional employment.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill expands access to self-employment assistance programs which can aid in long-term economic self-sufficiency.
- 4/28/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
- 4/27/2026
- 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 voice vote. (text: CR H3114)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H3114)
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6431.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3114-3115)
- Mr. Carey moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2/20/2026
- Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Ways and Means. H. Rept. 119-509.
- Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 435.
- 1/14/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 41 - 0.
- 12/17/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/4/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 5 Cosponsors 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.
Randy FeenstraRepublican · Iowa
Greg LandsmanDemocrat · Ohio
Max MillerRepublican · Ohio
Nathaniel MoranRepublican · Texas
Eugene VindmanDemocrat · Virginia
Rudy YakymRepublican · Indiana