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The House passed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, which requires federal agencies to conduct security background checks on small businesses applying for research grants to protect against foreign influence.
This vote was to pass S. 3971, the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act. The bill requires federal agencies like the Department of Defense and the National Science Foundation to evaluate whether small businesses applying for research grants (through the SBIR and STTR programs) pose a national security risk. Specifically, it looks for connections to foreign militaries or entities on government watchlists to ensure U.S. taxpayer-funded research is not exploited by foreign adversaries. The House voted on this bill under a procedure called "suspension of the rules." In the House of Representatives, this is a fast-track method used for bills that have broad support. It limits debate and prevents any changes (amendments) from being made to the bill on the floor, but it requires a higher threshold to pass: two-thirds of the members present must vote in favor, rather than a simple majority. The measure passed with a large bipartisan majority, clearing the required threshold easily. Because the bill had already passed the Senate, this House vote was one of the final steps before it was sent to the President. It ultimately became Public Law 119-83.
Following House passage, the bill was sent to the President and was signed into law as Public Law 119-83.
OPEN BILL →Why it matters. This legislation aims to prevent foreign adversaries from gaining access to critical U.S. technological advancements funded by taxpayers.
Who’s affected. Small Businesses: Must undergo more rigorous security vetting when applying for federal research grants. · Federal Agencies: Required to implement new screening protocols and coordinate with intelligence agencies for grant approvals.
Democrats. The vast majority of Democrats supported the measure, with 90 voting in favor.
Republicans. A strong majority of Republicans supported the bill, though a small group of 21 members voted against it.
On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass
Mar 17, 2026
The House passed the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, which requires federal agencies to conduct security background checks on small businesses applying for research grants to protect against foreign influence.
This was a vote under 'suspension of the rules,' a fast-track process for bills with broad support. It requires a two-thirds supermajority for passage rather than a simple majority.
Following House passage, the bill was sent to the President and was signed into law as Public Law 119-83.
This legislation aims to prevent foreign adversaries from gaining access to critical U.S. technological advancements funded by taxpayers.
The bill saw broad bipartisan support, with majorities of both parties voting in favor to easily clear the supermajority requirement.
The vast majority of Democrats supported the measure, with 90 voting in favor.
A strong majority of Republicans supported the bill, though a small group of 21 members voted against it.
The independent member voted in favor of the bill.