EIW Today - March 26th, 2025

Prism Group's Daily Summary

GOP COALESCES AROUND “ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL”... After a months long stalemate, House and Senate Republicans seem to be on the same page when it comes to a budget reconciliation bill strategy that would roll tax, border security, and defense into a single, large legislative package. Following a meeting yesterday with Speaker Mike Johnson, Senate Majority Leader John Thune – and key committee chairs – announced a new goal of passing a compromise budget resolution by Easter. As has been the case throughout the process, sticking points will be the size of prescribed spending cuts and the inclusion of a debt ceiling hike.

SBA SETS DATES FOR NATIONAL SMALL BUSINESS WEEK VIRTUAL SUMMIT... Small business advocates should mark their calendars for the 2025 National Small Business Week virtual summit, set for May 6-7. Co-hosted by the SBA and SCORE, this free, two-day online event will offer educational workshops, federal resources, and networking opportunities to help entrepreneurs thrive. With sessions covering digital marketing, AI, cybersecurity, and more, the summit aims to equip small business owners with the tools needed for success. An in-person awards ceremony will kick off the week on May 5 in Washington, D.C., celebrating outstanding small businesses nationwide. Registration is required to attend.

SMALL BUSINESS LEADER DEFENDS SBA AMID CALLS FOR REDUCTION... Todd McCracken, President and CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA), argues in an op-ed that the SBA remains a critical resource for entrepreneurs, promotes competition, and supports the jobs of more than 60 million Americans.

PRESIDENT TRUMP SIGNS EO TO DIGITIZE FEDERAL PAYMENTS... Yesterday, President Trump signed an Executive Order (EO) that shifts federal payments from paper-based to electronic. These include intergovernmental payments, vendor payments, benefit payments, and tax refunds. Federal agencies will release guidance informing federal payment recipients of how to set up electronic payment options.

THE STATE OF THE STATES

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS:

Forty-five states are in regular session.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:

At a rally in Madison, Wisconsin, over 70 small business owners joined advocates and lawmakers to demand better child care access and family leave policies, due to the economic strain on working families and entrepreneurs in Wisconsin’s growing child care deserts.

In honor of Small Business Development Center Day on March 19, North Dakota Governor Kelly Armstrong (R) proclaimed statewide recognition for the North Dakota Small Business Development Centers. The groups supported nearly 2,000 entrepreneurs in 2024 and continue to serve as a lifeline for small business growth and job creation.

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

Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing TODAY, 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 TODAY, 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 TODAY, 3/26 at 10:00 AM entitled, "The World Wild Web: Examining Harms Online."

The Senate...

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

Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship will hold a Business Meeting TODAY, 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

Today, 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.

Yesterday The House Committee on Financial Services held a hearing discussing multiple pieces of upcoming legislation.

H.R. : The Promoting Opportunities for Non-Traditional Capital Formation Act.

This bill would amend the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to require the Office of the Advocate for Small Business Capital Formation to provide educational resources and host events to promote capital raising options for traditionally underrepresented small businesses.

AT THE AGENCIES

The U.S. Department of Labor