Prism Group's Daily Summary
SHUTDOWN CLOCK LOOMS... Once again, Congress is approaching a critical deadline to avert a government shutdown. Both chambers must pass a funding bill by midnight Friday, with House Republicans unveiling a 99-page continuing resolution (CR) over the weekend. The bill would maintain current federal spending levels through September 30, but Democrats argue it grants excessive flexibility to the Trump administration while underfunding key agencies. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces a tight vote count, as House Democrats remain firmly opposed. If the House passes the CR, Senate Democrats will have to decide whether to support it to prevent a shutdown or hold out for concessions.
CONFIRMATION VOTE SET FOR LABOR SECRETARY... Later today the Senate will vote on the confirmation of former Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer to be the next U.S. Secretary of Labor. Given bipartisan support in committee and on a procedural vote last week she is expected to be confirmed.
AWBC’S INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY RECEPTION…
The Association of Women’s Business Centers is hosting a reception honoring International Women’s Day tomorrow, March 11, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the National Press Club Ballroom in Washington, D.C. This event will bring together leaders in business and policy to recognize the contributions of women entrepreneurs and discuss the evolving landscape of small business. Attendance is free, but space is limited. RSVP here.
UNIONIZATION LEGISLATION REINTRODUCED... The Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act has been reintroduced in both the House and Senate. The legislation, which was supported last Congress by the incoming Secretary of Labor, would strengthen employee unionization efforts and weaken States’ right-to-work laws. Though, the PRO Act is unlikely to pass in either chamber, only two Republicans, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Rep. Christopher Smith (R-NJ), have cosponsored the legislation.
SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TO RELOCATE 6 OFFICES IN SANCTUARY CITIES... The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced plans to relocate six regional offices from cities with sanctuary policies, aligning with a broader Trump administration crackdown on immigrant-friendly jurisdictions. Offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Denver, New York City, and Seattle will be moved to more cost-effective and accessible locations, according to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. However, no details have been provided on the new locations. The decision follows growing political pressure, with Republican lawmakers questioning sanctuary city policies and their impact on federal law enforcement. While courts have repeatedly upheld these policies, the SBA's move signals an ongoing federal effort to push back against them, raising concerns about potential disruptions to small business support services in affected regions.
THE STATE OF THE STATES
SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS:
Forty-six states are in regular session.
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:
The Montana Department of Commerce announced March 5 that two funding opportunities have been expanded to help Montana entrepreneurs and small businesses strengthen, expand and innovate. The funding is through Commerce’s State Small Business Credit Initiative Program.
North Carolina Labor Commissioner Luke Farley told Council of State members Tuesday that the greatest challenge for small businesses to reopen is bureaucracy and red tape. “Getting the small businesses back up and running and making sure workers are able to get back to work and earning a living is key to recovery in western North Carolina,” Farley said.
LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT?
The House... convenes today at 9:00 AM. 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 Subcommittee on Oversight, Investigations, and Regulations will hold a hearing, Tuesday, 3/11 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Restoring the SBA: Putting Main Street America First.”
Committe on Financial Services will hold a hearing, Tuesday, 3/11 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Navigating the Digital Payments Ecosystem: Examining a Federal Framework for Payment Stablecoins and Consequences of a U.S. Central Bank Digital Currency.”
Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing, Tuesday, 3/11 at 10:00 AM entitled, “INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES IN MILITARY CONSTRUCTION.”
Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment will hold a hearing, Tuesday, 3/11 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Maximizing Opportunities for Redeveloping Brownfields Sites: Assessing the Potential for New American Innovation."
Committee on Way & Means Subcommittee on Health will hold a hearing, Tuesday, 3/11 at 2:00 PM entitled, “After the Hospital: Ensuring Access to Quality Post-Acute Care.”
The Senate...
Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing Tuesday, 3/11 at 2:30 AM entitled, “Ending the Scourge: The Need for the STOP CSAM Act.”
Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs will hold a hearing Wednesday, 3/12 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Housing Roadblocks: Paving a New Way to Address Affordability.”
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a hearing Wednesday, 3/12 at 2:30 PM entitled, “Nominations of William Briggs to be Deputy Administrator of the Small Business Administration and Dr. Casey Mulligan to be Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the Small Business Administration.”
Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing Thursday, 3/13 at 9:15 AM entitled, “Executive Business Meeting.”
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold a hearing Thursday, 3/13 at 9:30 AM entitled, “Nomination.”
Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold a hearing Thursday, 3/13 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Nomination of David Weldon to Serve as Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
Committee on Finance will hold a hearing Friday, 3/14 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Hearing to Consider the Nomination of Mehmet Oz, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, vice Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, resigned.”
BILLS OF INTEREST
H.R. 1642 - Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025
H.R. 789 - Transparency and Predictability in Small Business Opportunities Act
H.R. 787 - Plain Language in Contracting Act
H.R. 1621 - Entrepreneurs with Disabilities Act of 2025
H.R. 1634 - ThinkDIFFERENTLY About Disabilities Employment Act
H.R. 1816 - WOSB Accountability Act
H.R.1804 - 7(a) Loan Agent Oversight Act
AT THE AGENCIES
The U.S. Department of Labor
Check back tomorrow for possible updates.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury
Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent announced key appointments for senior positions at the U.S. Department of the Treasury.
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 will hold a public hearing on March 11, 2025, regarding the Section 301 investigation on China’s acts, policies, and practices related to targeting of the semiconductor industry for dominance.
The U.S. Small Business Administration
U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler announced a series of reforms to put American citizens first by ending taxpayer benefits for illegal aliens and moving SBA offices out of sanctuary cities.
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