Bills · HR 2966
PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS
House BillHR 2966Small Business AdministrationImmigration status and procedures
American Entrepreneurs First Act of 2025
INTRO APR 17· LAST ACTION JUN 9
READING
3MIN
COSPONSORS
1
READER REACTIONS0 TOTAL
NO VOTES YET · BE THE FIRST
- One chamber only
LEGISLATIVE PROGRESS
STEP 4 / 8Introduced
In Committee
Reported
Passed House
Passed Senate
Conference
To President
Became Law
WHAT THE BILL DOES
AI-writtenThis bill is important because it fundamentally alters access to critical government-backed small business loans, which are often a lifeline for starting, expanding, and maintaining businesses and creating jobs. If this bill becomes law, it would significantly narrow the pool of eligible entrepreneurs for two major SBA loan programs, potentially impacting economic growth and job creation, especially in communities with diverse immigrant populations.
For voters, it matters because it defines who the government views as eligible to receive support for entrepreneurship. If it passes, many individuals who are legally present, pay taxes, and contribute to the economy but are not citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents would no longer qualify for these specific loans. If it doesn't pass, the current rules, which generally have less restrictive immigration status requirements for these loan programs, would remain in effect, allowing a broader range of individuals to access this funding.
KEY PROVISIONS
5AI-extractedPROVISION 01
Requires all applicants for Section 7(a) and Title V SBA loans to certify they are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents.
This sets a strict eligibility requirement based on immigration status for two major federal small business loan programs.
PROVISION 02
Requires businesses applying for these loans to be 100 percent beneficially owned by individuals who are U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents.
This means even businesses with legally present owners who are not citizens, nationals, or green card holders would be ineligible.
PROVISION 03
Prohibits any direct or indirect owner of an applicant business from being an "ineligible person."
This broadens the disqualification, making a business ineligible if even one owner falls into the "ineligible person" category.
PROVISION 04
Defines "ineligible person" to include asylees, refugees, individuals with various visas (nonimmigrants), DACA recipients, and those without lawful status.
This explicitly identifies the specific groups of legally present and undocumented individuals who would be barred from receiving these loans.
PROVISION 05
Mandates that lawful permanent residents provide their alien registration number as documentation.
This adds a specific and verifiable documentation requirement for green card holders.
SPONSORSHIP
1 + 1
R· Texas
YRS IN OFFICE
5
BILLS LED
48
COSPONSOR BREAKDOWNBIPARTISAN · 0%
DEM 0 REP 1 IND 0
ACTION TIMELINE
15 EVENTSJUN 9
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
JUN 6
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 458. (consideration: CR H2510-2515)
JUN 6
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2483, H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966 and H.R. 2987. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2483 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966, and H.R. 2987 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.
JUN 6
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2966.
BILL INFO
TypeHouse Bill
NumberHR 2966
Congress119th
StatusPassed House
IntroducedApr 17, 2025
Last actionJun 9, 2025
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PASSED HOUSE· 119TH CONGRESS · SMALL BUSINESS COMMITTEE · INTRODUCED APR 17, 2025
House BillHR 2966Small Business AdministrationImmigration status and procedures
American Entrepreneurs First Act of 2025
INTRODUCED APR 17, 2025· LAST ACTION JUN 9, 2025
PASSAGE CHANCES
—%
READING
3 min
COSPONSORS
1
COMPLEXITY
Moderate
