Bill

S. 3971 (119th): Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act This act reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs

Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act This act reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs. (The SBIR and STTR programs are administered by various federal agencies and provide competitive awards for domestic small businesses to conduct research and development projects that have the potential for commercialization.) Specifically, the act expands the requirements for federal agencies administering these programs to evaluate the security risks of the small businesses that apply for awards under the programs. If an agency denies an application for security reasons, the agency must provide the small business with the basis for such determination. Further, each agency must set a maximum number of proposals per fiscal year that a small business concern may submit in response to Phase I and Phase II solicitations. The act expands the training requirements for agencies' contracting officers and acquisition workforce with respect to Phase III (commercialization of technologies) awards under the SBIR and STTR programs. The act also establishes strategic breakthrough allocations for critical technology areas. These are additional Phase II SBIR and STTR awards to small businesses that demonstrate an effective technology and receive matching funds.

house · Substantive

Rankings updated October 26, 2026, 11:44 AM ET · Votes through September 30, 2026
Exported candidates: 719 | Filings on file, by office: H: 5838 | P: 1467 | S: 1567. These counts include every filing for that office, so they are larger than the ranked list. One person can have more than one filing. Non-voting delegates are left out.

Recorded summary

The bill reauthorizes the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs through FY2031 and modifies them and related pilot programs. It requires agencies to evaluate applicant small businesses for security risks, and to state the basis when they deny an application on security grounds. It sets a maximum number of Phase I and Phase II proposals per fiscal year for each small business, expands training for contracting officers and acquisition staff on Phase III commercialization awards, and creates strategic breakthrough allocations of additional Phase II awards for small businesses in critical technology areas that show effective technology and receive matching funds.

economic_securityprocedural_motionprocurement_trainingresearch_fundingsbir_reauthorizationsecurity_screeningsmall_businesssmall_business_policy

Theological note: The measure bears on stewardship of public funds, the fair treatment of small businesses and their lawful labor, and the duty of government to weigh national security prudently. Its requirement that denials on security grounds be explained to applicants touches on fair dealing and procedural candor. Its security screening raises a prudential question of how far government may inquire into private enterprise without undue suspicion, but the text does not clearly target coercive intrusion or direct moral harm.

How this bill is scored

Recorded votes

Roll 89 · 17-Mar-2026 3:44 PM · On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · Passed

Yea 345 · Nay 41 · Other 45

Yea

Nay

Other

All bills · Markdown