EIW Today - May 14th, 2025

Prism Group's Daily Summary

COMMITTEE PROCESS HEADS INTO DAY TWO... House Republicans are pushing through marathon committee markups on their sweeping reconciliation package, with debates over tax cuts, Medicaid changes, and tech policy stretching past 15 hours. Democrats are hammering GOP proposals for slashing Medicaid and delivering tax breaks to the wealthy, while tensions flare within Republican ranks over issues like the SALT deduction. For more on the proceedings be sure to check out Politico’s Inside Congress blog.

SCORE FUNDING FACES UNCERTAINTY IN FY26 BUDGET PROPOSAL... SCORE, a nonprofit organization that provides volunteer mentorship and support to small businesses, may lose its $17 million in federal funding under the President’s proposed FY2026 discretionary budget. Founded in 1964, SCORE partners with the U.S. Small Business Administration and assists approximately 300,000 entrepreneurs annually through workshops, business counseling, and online resources. According to the organization, its efforts contributed to the launch of nearly 60,000 businesses and the creation of over 140,000 jobs in 2024. Supporters of the program argue that SCORE delivers a significant return on investment, citing internal estimates of $45.42 in federal tax revenue for every dollar of funding. The potential funding cut has prompted concern from advocates who view the program as a cost-effective component of the nation’s small business support infrastructure.

TRACKING THE IMPACT OF TARIFFS ON SMALL BUSINESSES... While US and Chinese officials have struck a deal to pause tariff rates for 90 days, small businesses are still feeling the pain. Wall Street Journal's latest piece looks at the tough decisions these businesses are being forced to make, and explores how owners feel left out by policymakers.

THE STATE OF THE STATES

SESSIONS BY THE NUMBERS: 

Twenty-nine states are in regular session. Maine is in special session.

WHAT WE'RE WATCHING: 

The Illinois Senate is working on a bill to require the Board of Education to create a statewide framework for evaluating and implementing AI technology in schools. The bill would require guidance on student data privacy and best practices for developing student literacy with AI.

The Ohio House Children and Human Services Committee has approved a $10 million child care fund that would split costs between parents, employers and the state. Parents and employers would each cover 40% of care costs, with the state picking up 20%.

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 Energy and Commerce will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/13 at 2:00 PM entitled, “Full Committee Markup of Budget Reconciliation Text.” 

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 9:30 AM entitled “Budget Hearing – U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.” 

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Oversight Hearing – The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.” 

Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Expanding Choice and Increasing Supply: Housing Innovation in America.” 

Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Examining Treasury Market Fragilities and Preventative Solutions.” 

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 10:00 AM entitled “Investing in America: How Private Equity Empowers Main Street.” 

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 10:00 AM entitled “Budget Hearing – U.S. Department of Transportation.” 

Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing Thursday, 5/15 at 10:00 AM entitled “A Small Part in A Big Company: Examining the Power of Franchising in the American Economy.” 

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing Thursday, 5/15 at 10:00 AM entitled “Budget Hearing – U.S. Department of Labor” 

The Senate...      

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 10:30 AM entitled, “A Review of the President's Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Environmental Protection Agency.” 

Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 2:30 PM entitled, “Foreign Threats to American Innovation and Economic Leadership.” 

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 3:00 PM entitled, “A Review of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Requests for the Senate Sergeant at Arms and United States Capitol Police.” 

Committee on Finance will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 10:00 AM entitled, “Nominations of James O’Neill to serve as Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Janette Nesheiwat to serve as Medical Director in the Regular Corps of the Public Health Service and Surgeon General of the Public Health Service.” 

Committee on Health, Education, Labor & Pensions will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 1:30 PM entitled, “Fiscal Year 2026 Department of Health and Human Services Budget.”

Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship will hold a hearing TODAY, 5/14 at 2:30 PM entitled, “Financing America's Manufacturing and Industrial Boom.”  

Committee on Appropriations will hold a hearing Thursday, 5/15 at 10:00 AM entitled, “A Review of the President’s Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Request for the Department of Transportation.” 

Committee on Judiciary will hold a hearing Thursday, 5/15 at 10:15 AM entitled, “Executive Business Meeting.” 

BILLS OF INTEREST 

Rep. Mark Takano introduced H.R. 3261 to amend title 38, United States Code, to modify authorities relating to the collective bargaining of employees in the Veterans Health Administration. 

Rep. Haley Stevens introduced H.R. 3259 to amend the National Quantum Initiative Act and the Cyber Security Research and Development Act to advance the rapid deployment of post quantum cybersecurity standards across the United States economy, support United States cryptography research.  

Rep. Andrea Salinas introduced H.R. 3254 to amend the Food, Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade Act of 1990 with respect to emergency assistance for farm workers.  

Rep. Joseph Morelle introduced H.R. 3250 to create a grant program to support the development of innovative learning models.  

Rep. Gwen Moore introduced H.R. 3249 to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the qualified business income deduction.  

Rep. Frank Lucas introduced H.R. 3244 to require certain entities to clearly disclose to small business concerns key information about factoring facility agreements prior to entering such agreements with such concerns.  

Rep. Chrissy Houlahan introduced H.R. 3239 to improve commercialization activities in the SBIR and STTR programs. 

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen introduced S. 1623 to provide for greater defense workforce integration 

AT THE AGENCIES  

The U.S. Department of Labor 

The U.S. Department of Labor released a statement celebrating major investments in American Workers. 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury 

Secretary Scott Bessent released a statement on republicans continuing strong progress towards enacting President Trump’s Economic Agenda. 

The U.S. Department of Commerce 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates. 

The U.S. Trade Representative  

Check back tomorrow for possible updates. 

The U.S. Small Business Administration 

Check back tomorrow for possible updates.  

Want this email forwarded to you? Curious for more information?

Subscribe to EIW Today to receive the morning newsletter directly in your own inbox!