Small Business Technological Advancement Act

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. 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. 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.

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.

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. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford).

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.

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.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Williams for his stalwart

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.