EIW Today - March 25th, 2025

Prism Group's Daily Summary

PRESIDENT TRUMP FORESHADOWS SBA SHAKEUP ... The President has announced plans to dismantle the Department of Education, transferring its $1.6 trillion student loan portfolio to the Small Business Administration (SBA). This move raises concerns as the SBA, already undergoing a 40% workforce reduction, may face challenges managing the influx of loans. 

GSA ISSUES MAJOR CHANGES TO MULTIPLE AWARDS SCHEDULE PROGRAM... The General Services Administration (GSA) is making significant changes to its Multiple Awards Schedule (MAS) program, a $51.5 billion commercial acquisition vehicle, in an effort to “rightsize” its operations. Announced by Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum, the reforms aim to streamline processes, improve oversight, and eliminate inefficiencies by allowing underperforming contracts to expire, addressing contractor compliance issues, and removing low-demand items. These updates will impact thousands of small businesses engaged in federal contracting, reshaping competition and procurement dynamics.

FEDRAMP OVERHAUL... Yesterday the General Services Administration (GSA) announced changes to the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP), which assesses and authorizes the security of cloud computing services and products used at the federal level. The changes, dubbed “FedRAMP 20x,” are intended to bring more automation to the risk assessment process while cutting red tape to garner more access to innovative private sector products. 

THE STATE OF THE STATES

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS: 

Forty-five states are in regular session.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING: 

Washington lawmakers are considering the state’s first gas tax increase since 2016 to address a growing transportation funding gap. The Senate’s plan proposes a 6-cent hike per gallon, with future increases tied to inflation, while the House suggests a 9-cent rise. Both proposals aim to generate billions over six years to cover rising infrastructure costs, workforce needs, and mandated environmental projects.  

Florida lawmakers are looking to change child labor laws in response to labor shortages exacerbated by the departure of undocumented workers. Proposed measures would allow 16 and 17-year-olds to work longer hours on school nights, raising concerns about the potential exploitation of minors in low-wage jobs. Critics argue that these changes could lead to increased risks for young workers, exposing them to dangerous conditions without adequate protections.  

LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT? 

The House... convenes today at 10:00 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 Financial Services will hold a hearing TODAY, 3/25 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Beyond Silicon Valley: Expanding Access to Capital Across America.”  

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 3/25 at 10:00 AM entitled, “INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT - MEMBER DAY.”  

Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy will hold a hearing TODAY, 3/25 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Keeping the Lights On: Examining the State of Regional Grid Reliability."  

Committee on Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee will hold a hearing TODAY, 3/25 at 2:00 PM entitled, “Hearing on American Trade Negotiation Priorities.”  

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 3/25 at 2:00 PM entitled, “OVERSIGHT HEARING – CAPITOL COMPLEX PUBLIC SAFETY AND SECURITY.”  

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing Wednesday, 3/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, “The Golden Age: Unleashing Main Street Through Deregulation.” 

Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing Wednesday, 3/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, “A New Era for the CFPB: Balancing Power and Reprioritizing Consumer Protections.” 

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing Wednesday, 3/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, “INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT - MEMBER DAY.” 

Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade will hold a hearing Wednesday, 3/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, "The World Wild Web: Examining Harms Online." 

The Senate...      

Committee on Finance will hold an Executive Business Meeting TODAY, 3/25 at 9:30 AM entitled, “Open Executive Session to Consider Favorably the Nomination of Mehmet Oz, of Pennsylvania, to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.”  

Committee on Finance will hold a hearing TODAY, 3/25 at 10:10 AM entitled, “Hearing to Consider the Nomination of Frank Bisignano, of New Jersey, to be Commissioner of Social Security Administration for the term expiring January 19, 2031, vice Martin O'Malley, resigned.” 

Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing TODAY, 3/25 at 2:00 PM entitled, “The Censorship Industrial Complex.” 

Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing Wednesday, 3/26 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Nominations.”  

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a Business Meeting Wednesday, 3/26 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 Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs will hold a hearing Thursday, 3/27 at 10:00 AM entitled “Nomination Hearing.”  

Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions will hold a hearing Thursday, 3/27 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Antisemitic Disruptions on Campus: Ensuring Safe Learning Environments for All Students.”  

Committee on Judiciary will hold an Executive Business Meeting Thursday, 3/27 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Executive Business Meeting.” 

BILLS OF INTEREST 

This week the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will markup the following bill:

S. 1047: Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act. 

This bill will prohibit individuals convicted of defrauding the Government from receiving any assistance from the Small Business Administration.  

AT THE AGENCIES  

The U.S. Department of Labor 

The U.S. Department of Labor announced Catherine Eschbach will lead the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs. 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury 

Check back next week for possible updates. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce 

Check back next week for possible updates. 

The U.S. Trade Representative  

Check back next week for possible updates. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration 

Check back next week for possible updates. 

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