A Republican bill with 3 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
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 427–3
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This Act, known as the "DOE and SBA Research Act," directs the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to collaborate on research and development. The two officials are required to enter into a memorandum of understanding or other agreement to advance their respective mission requirements and priorities. The act specifically mandates the inclusion of small business concerns in these activities when appropriate. Additionally, the officials may collaborate with other Federal agencies or enter into reimbursable agreements to maximize effectiveness. A report on the coordination and achievements of these activities must be submitted to Congress within two years of enactment. Finally, all activities must comply with specific research security standards.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +4
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The act explicitly mandates the inclusion of small business concerns in joint research and development activities.
- Scored +3
Would business owners be better off under this?
Small business owners stand to benefit from mandated inclusion in high-level federal research and development efforts.
- Scored +2
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill promotes collaborative research and development between the DOE and SBA which could foster new industry sectors.
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 427 yes · 3 no
02/25/2025 · Roll call 48 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Inclusion of Small Business Concerns: The bill requires officials to ensure that small business concerns are included in research and development activities, which can help advance their specific mission requirements and priorities (Section 2(a) and Section 2(c)).
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Increased Effectiveness through Collaboration: The officials are permitted to enter into reimbursable agreements between the Department of Energy, the Small Business Administration, and other entities to maximize the effectiveness of research and development (Section 2(d)(1)).
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Inter-agency Cooperation: The act allows for collaboration with other Federal agencies to carry out these research and development activities (Section 2(d)(2)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Additional Funding: The act specifies that no additional amounts are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the act, meaning these activities must be funded within existing budgets (Section 3).
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 act explicitly mandates the inclusion of small business concerns in joint research and development activities. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill promotes collaborative research and development between the DOE and SBA which could foster new industry sectors.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Small business owners stand to benefit from mandated inclusion in high-level federal research and development efforts.
- Healthcare
- Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill directs research and development activities that utilize existing departmental resources to advance energy priorities.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill facilitates research through inter-agency collaboration and reimbursable agreements without authorizing new funding.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires a report to Congress within two years detailing coordination and research achievements.
- 2/26/2025
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 2/25/2025
- 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 the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 427 - 3 (Roll no. 48). (text: 2/24/2025 CR H742)
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 427 - 3 (Roll no. 48). (text: 2/24/2025 CR H742)
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H823-824)
- 2/24/2025
- 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. 788.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H742-743)
- Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 1/28/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and in addition to the Committee on Small Business, 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.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
Maggie GoodlanderDemocrat · New Hampshire
Kelly MorrisonDemocrat · Minnesota
Shri ThanedarDemocrat · Michigan