[Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 23, 2026)]
[House]
[Pages H4142-H4143]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
SMALL BUSINESS TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCEMENT ACT
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and
pass the bill (H.R. 915) to authorize small business loans to finance
access to modern business software, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 915
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Technological
Advancement Act''.
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL USES FOR SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
BUSINESS LOANS.
(a) In General.--Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
``(38) Access to modern business software.--The
Administration may provide loans under this subsection to
finance, in whole or in part, business software or cloud
computing services, or any such technology, that facilitates
business operations, product or service delivery, the
processing, payment, or tracking of payroll expenses, human
resources, sales and billing functions, or accounting or
tracking of supplies, inventory, records and expenses,
including business tools that utilize artificial
intelligence.''.
(b) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in the amendment made by
subsection (a) shall be construed to--
(1) provide that loans made under section 7(a) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) before the date of enactment
of this Act for the purposes described in paragraph (38) of
such section 7(a), as added by subsection (a), were not
permissible;
(2) authorize the use of loans made under section 7(a) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) for research and
development purposes; or
(3) limit the definition of working capital under the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Texas (Mr. Williams) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Olszewski)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 915, the Small
Business Technological Advancement Act, introduced by my friends the
gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford) and the gentlewoman from Nevada
(Ms. Lee).
Small businesses thrive when they stay ahead of the curve. H.R. 915
provides an important clarification and removes any ambiguity to ensure
that small businesses can use SBA 7(a) loans to purchase and upgrade
technological systems and business software, including those that
utilize artificial intelligence, to support their daily operations.
Technology is deeply ingrained in the day-to-day operations of small
businesses. There are countless and valuable applications for
technology in a small business, from tracking inventory to payment
processing and from human resources to accounting. If an American small
business wants to stay competitive in the global economy, it must stay
on the cutting edge of technological development and application.
With this clarification, small businesses will be able to continue
exploring innovative technologies and tools for the future. This
forward-thinking bill will ensure that the SBA 7(a) program will keep
American entrepreneurs competitive with their international
counterparts.
Once again, I thank Representatives Alford and Lee for introducing
this timely legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in
support of H.R. 915.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 915, the Small Business
Technological Advancement Act of 2025.
Small businesses are increasingly using digital tools to support
their day-to-day work. The use of these tools has only accelerated
since the COVID-19 pandemic and has produced many positive outcomes.
Digital tools have been shown to improve small business job creation,
revenue growth, and forecasting certainty.
Small businesses have reported that the largest barrier to these
innovative tools is the cost. It is important that the SBA support
businesses in addressing this challenge so that they can continue
adopting the digital tools that they need to work efficiently, support
commerce, and create jobs in communities across the country.
The SBA's flagship 7(a) loan program provides small businesses with
working capital that can be used to finance the purchase of digital
tools. Last June, the SBA further clarified that 7(a) loans could be
used to finance business software or cloud computing services. However,
some businesses have still reported uncertainty about using 7(a) loans
for these purposes.
This bill eliminates that confusion and ensures consistency across
administrations by confirming in statute that 7(a) loans can be used to
finance digital tools. Hopefully, codifying this provision will lead to
clarity and an increased uptake of digital tools in small businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Alford, Lee, and McGarvey for
their collaboration on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to
support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford).
{time} 1510
Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Williams for his stalwart
[[Page H4143]]
leadership on this committee for bills that we are very passionate
about for Main Street America. I thank my good friend Representative
Olszewski for his support of this bill, as well.
I rise today in support of passing the Small Business Technological
Advancement Act through the House.
Small businesses are the backbone of America. They are the backbone
of our economy. They create jobs. They strengthen communities, and they
drive innovation across our great country.
But in today's economy, Mr. Speaker, no small business can compete
effectively without access to modern technology.
Cloud-based accounting systems, payroll platforms, cybersecurity
tools, inventory management software, and emerging artificial
intelligence applications are not optional any longer if you are going
to succeed in small business. They are essential for operating and
growing a business.
Yet, under the SBA's 7(a) loan program, there has been unnecessary
uncertainty about whether these investments qualify as eligible
business expenses.
That confusion has slowed access to capital and really made it
tougher for our entrepreneurs to operate and to modernize.
This bill resolves that uncertainty. It ensures that those loans can
be used for technology small businesses rely on today, including
software, cloud computing services, and other digital tools that
improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Mr. Speaker, I don't know about you, but I am into commonsense
solutions for America, and this is one of those. This is a simple,
commonsense fix. It doesn't create any new programs. It doesn't expand
the scope of Federal lending. It simply provides clarity so that
lenders and small business owners can move forward with confidence.
If we want Main Street to compete in a modern digital economy, our
laws must reflect that reality, and that is why I urge my colleagues to
vote ``yes'' for the Small Business Technological Advancement Act.
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield
myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, last year, the 7(a) program provided more than 78,000
loans to small businesses worth more than $37.2 billion. Thus far, in
2026, the program has originated more than 38,000 loans worth more than
$20.3 billion with an average loan size of approximately $533,000.
As I mentioned earlier, small businesses have been able to utilize
7(a) loans to finance digital tools, including software and cloud
computing services. The SBA further clarified that position last June,
yet some businesses have still reported uncertainty about using 7(a)
loans for these purposes.
I support this legislation, as it will codify that clarification and
end any confusion once and for all by making clear that these loans can
indeed be used to finance digital tools.
I, again, thank Representatives Alford and McGarvey for leading on
this bipartisan effort, and I urge my colleagues to support this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in
favor of H.R. 915 because access to technologies increases efficiency
and productivity, and will help small businesses remain competitive in
an increasingly digital marketplace.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) that the House suspend the rules
and pass the bill, H.R. 915, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the
ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a
quorum is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.
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