A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Held at the desk.
Passed one chamber, waiting for the other to take it up
Passed one chamber, and the other has not yet sent it to a committee or put it on its calendar.
The other chamber will hand it to a committee, place it on its calendar, or leave it where it is. Nothing has been decided, and a bill can sit here indefinitely.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed Senate unanimous consent
- Awaiting House
The Senate by unanimous consent (no one objected, so there was no vote): no senator's position on it was recorded.
What this bill would do
This act, known as the "Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025," seeks to expand the existing surety bond program. It increases the limit for certain bond amounts from $6,500,000 to $18,000,000. The bill includes provisions that reduce this limit by 33 percent if the Administrator requests supplemental funds. It also allows for more than 2 percent of the fund to be used for administrative costs. Additionally, the act mandates specific financial and activity reports from the Small Business Administration and a report from the Government Accountability Office.
Yes· 3 of 4
- Scored +7
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The act significantly increases the surety bond guarantee limit to help small businesses secure more substantial bonding.
- Scored +6
Would business owners be better off under this?
The increase in bond guarantee limits provides more robust support for small business owners.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates annual reports from the SBA and a GAO report to improve program visibility and efficiency.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Bond Limits: The bill raises the limit in section 411(a)(1)(A) from $6,500,000 to $18,000,000, which expands the scope of the surety bond program.
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Administrative Efficiency: Section 412(b) allows up to 2 percent of the fund to be used for management and administration, including information technology, systems, and outreach activities.
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Improved Program Oversight: Section 413(a) requires the Small Business Administration to submit annual reports regarding bond guarantees, claims paid, and the financial health of the revolving fund.
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Streamlined Processes: Section 413(b) directs the Government Accountability Office to submit a report on current approval processes with recommendations for improving efficiency and simplifying paperwork requirements.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Reduced Limits During Funding Requests: Under section 411(a)(1)(B)(i), if the Administrator requests supplemental funds, the bond limit is reduced by 33 percent for a specific period of time.
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 significantly increases the surety bond guarantee limit to help small businesses secure more substantial bonding. Does this make the government pay for what it commits to? — The bill enhances transparency through mandatory reporting on the financial health of the revolving fund.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — The increase in bond guarantee limits provides more robust support for small business owners.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reports from the SBA and a GAO report to improve program visibility and efficiency.
- 5/4/2026
- Held at the desk.
- Received in the House.
- 5/1/2026
- Message on Senate action sent to the House.
- 4/29/2026
- Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
- Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2108-2109; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S2108-2109)
- 7/30/2025
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Ernst with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 135.
- 7/16/2025
- Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 7/9/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
- Introduced in Senate