EIW Today - April 2nd, 2025

Prism Group's Daily Summary

SENATE COMMITTEE TO VOTE ON FRAUD BILL ... While the House has cancelled legislative activity for the remainder of the week, the Senate Small Business Committee convenes today to vote on the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act. The bill would extend the statute of limitations for prosecuting fraudulent activity related to certain pandemic-era relief programs administered by the agency.  

HOUSE FINANCIAL SERVICES CONSIDERS STABLECOIN LEGISLATION... Today, the House Financial Services Committee will vote on legislation regulating stablecoins, a type of cryptocurrency whose value is pegged to assets like the dollar. Legislation regulating stablecoins is essential for retail integration and comes on the heels of the release of the largest-ever study of cryptocurrency holders, conducted by the National Cryptocurrency Association. Results show that 39% of crypto holders already use cryptocurrency to pay for goods and services. 

SCORE MENTORS HELPED START NEARLY 60,000 SMALL BUSINESSES LAST YEAR... Every great entrepreneur needs guidance, and SCORE’s dedicated network of 10,000 volunteer business mentors is making a significant impact. In 2024 alone, SCORE volunteers helped launch nearly 60,000 new businesses and created over 143,000 jobs by providing free, expert mentoring to small business owners nationwide. With 4 million hours of volunteer mentoring each year, SCORE equips entrepreneurs with the knowledge and confidence to secure funding, attract customers, and navigate challenges. As we celebrate National Volunteer Month, now is the perfect time to recognize and support the mentors helping small businesses thrive. 

HEALTHY EMPLOYEES, HEALTHY ECONOMY… New CDC guidance recommending pneumococcal vaccines for all adults aged 50 and over offers important benefits not just for public health, but for the small businesses that power our economy. Join Prism Group’s Managing Partner John Stanford for a webinar at 11am ET on Thursday, April 3, exploring how preventive health measures contribute to both individual well-being and economic vitality for small businesses. To attend, please reach out to us at insights@prismgroup.global. 

THE STATE OF THE STATES

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS: 

Forty-four states are in regular session. Maine is in special session. 

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING: 

State health agencies are laying off workers and struggling to reconfigure public health programs after the Trump administration clawed back $12 billion in funding last week. A coalition of 22 Democratic attorneys general and two more governors have sued to try to restore the grants. 

The California Assembly is moving ahead with a four-bill package meant to lower housing costs. The bills would allow homeowners and developers to bypass local building departments, require state permitting departments to move faster and block more restrictive building standards in the future. The bills are co-authored by Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas (D). 

LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT? 

The House... is out of session today. The full schedule may be found here. 

The Senate... convenes today at 10:00 AM. The full schedule may be found here. 

HAPPENING ON THE HILL  

The House...  

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing TODAY, 4/2 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Fueling America's Future: How Investment Empowers Small Business Growth.”  

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 4/2 at 10:00 AM entitled, “NATIONAL SECURITY AND DEPARTMENT OF STATE - OUTSIDE WITNESS DAY.” 

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 4/2 at 10:00 AM entitled, “BUDGET HEARING – U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.” 

The Senate...      

Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing TODAY, 4/2 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Rule by District Judges II: Exploring Legislative Solutions to the Bipartisan Problem of Universal Injunctions.” 

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a Business Meeting TODAY, 4/2 at 2:30 PM entitled “The Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a Business Meeting to consider pending business of the committee.”  

Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing Thursday, 4/3 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Executive Business Meeting.” 

BILLS OF INTEREST 

Check back tomorrow for a possible update. 

AT THE AGENCIES  

The U.S. Department of Labor 

Check back tomorrow for a possible update. 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury 

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent met with John Hope Bryant, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Operation HOPE, to mark the start of National Financial Literacy Month and advance their shared commitment to financial empowerment for all Americans. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates. 

The U.S. Trade Representative  

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) submitted the 2025 National Trade Estimate (NTE) to President Trump and Congress. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates.  

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