Politiparty
Politiparty
LeaderboardCongressBills

119th Congress Commerce

S. 3971: Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

Became LawPublic Law 119-83, signed Apr 13, 2026

  1. Introduced (completed)Mar 3, 2026
  2. Passed Senate (completed)Mar 3, 2026
  3. Passed House (completed)Mar 17, 2026, 345–41
  4. To the President (completed)Apr 2, 2026
  5. Became law (completed)Apr 13, 2026

Summary

Public Law, Apr 13, 2026

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.

Read the full summary

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.

Written by the Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress.

Key votes

House final vote, Mar 17, 2026

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Passed 345–41

Yea 345two-thirds 258Nay 41

  • Democrats192 yea, 1 nay
  • Republicans152 yea, 40 nay
  • Independents1 yea, 0 nay

Broke with their party: Jefferson Van Drew (R-NJ), Keith Self (R-TX), Victoria Spartz (R-IN), Scott Perry (R-PA), Robert Onder (R-MO), Clarence Owens (R-UT), Tim Moore (R-NC), Celeste Maloy (R-UT), Cory Mills (R-FL) and Barry Moore (R-AL) voted Nay; and 31 more

See how all 386 members voted

Showing 431 of 431 members

Yea 345

Republicans (152)

Democrats (192)

Independents (1)

Nay 41

Democrats (1) broke with their party

Not voting 45

Senate

Passed by voice vote

Mar 3, 2026

No recorded vote, so there is no member-by-member tally.

Roll calls

1 vote on this bill

Showing 1 of 1 roll calls

  • Mar 17, 2026HouseOn Motion to Suspend the Rules and PassFinal passagePassed, yea-nay 345–41
    Roll call 89 tally by party
    PartyYeaNayPresentNot voting
    Democrats1921021
    Republicans15240024
    Independents1000
    Total34541045

    House roll call 89: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass. Passed.

    41 crossed party lines: 1 Democrat, 40 Republicans

    How each member voted (431)

Amendments

0 offered

No amendments were offered to this bill.

Cosponsors

1

Bipartisan support.

Who scored on this bill

386 points earned
  1. 1Joni Ernst R-IA SponsorDrew cross-party cosponsors, introduced, passed Senate, passed House, became law5 events+136
  2. 2Aaron Bean R-FL1 maverick vote1 event+6
  3. 2Andy Biggs R-AZ1 maverick vote1 event+6
  4. 2Sheri Biggs R-SC1 maverick vote1 event+6
  5. 2Lauren Boebert R-CO1 maverick vote1 event+6
See all scorers and every scoring event

Introductions and cosponsorships count toward weekly caps and show no points.

Other bills by Joni Ernst

History

  1. Apr 13, 2026Signed by the President. Became Public Law 119-83.
  2. Apr 2, 2026Presented to the President.
  3. Mar 17, 2026Passed the House, 345–41.
  4. Mar 3, 2026Introduced in the Senate by Joni Ernst. Passed the Senate by voice vote.
Show the full action history (18 actions)
  1. Jun 17, 2026Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Hearings held.
  2. Apr 13, 2026Signed by President.
  3. Apr 13, 2026Became Public Law No: 119-83.
  4. Apr 2, 2026Presented to President.
  5. Mar 17, 2026Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545-2546)
  6. Mar 17, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 41 (Roll no. 89).
  7. Mar 17, 2026On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 41 (Roll no. 89).
  8. Mar 17, 2026Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
  9. Mar 16, 2026Ms. Van Duyne moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
  10. Mar 16, 2026Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2491-2497; text: CR H2491-2495)
  11. Mar 16, 2026DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3971.
  12. Mar 16, 2026At 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.
  13. Mar 4, 2026Message on Senate action sent to the House.
  14. Mar 4, 2026Received in the House.
  15. Mar 4, 2026Held at the desk.
  16. Mar 3, 2026Introduced in Senate
  17. Mar 3, 2026Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.
  18. Mar 3, 2026Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S752-756; text: CR S752-756)