Prism Group's Daily Summary
NDAA PROGRESS STONEWALLS IN THE HOUSE...Five GOP lawmakers joined alongside Democrats’ opposition to the rule that would enable Congress to proceed with the passage of the FY24 National Defense Authorization Act in the House. The bill was scheduled for an emergency hearing by the House Committee on Rules on Wednesday, September 20 at 7:45 PM ET. Read more.
SBA LOOSENS CREDIT RESTRICTIONS FOR THOSE WITH CRIMINAL RECORDS...SBA updates regulations to increase access to entrepreneurship for individuals with criminal records. The Small Business Administration has published a proposed rule to expand access to the 7(a) loan program, 504 loan program, Microloan program, Intermediary Lending Pilot Program, Surety Bond Guarantee program and the Disaster Loan Program (not COVID EIDL) to enable justice involved individuals to be eligible. Restrictions apply. Read more here. Comments are due by November 14, 2023.
CALLING SMALL BIZ WITH A STAKE IN REGUALTORY FAIRNESS...The Small Business Administration's Ombudsman’s office will be hosting a public meeting of the Regional Small Business Regulatory Fairness Boards NEXT WEEK- the boards are comprised of five volunteer small business owners representing the various SBA regions. The regions represented and the businesses on the board can be found here. The meeting is taking place virtually on Thursday, Sept. 28, and Friday, Sept. 29 from 9:30 – 4 p.m. ET on both days. To attend, folks can email RSVPs to John Kelly at ombudsman@sba.gov
DOL SETS COMMENT DATE FOR H2A WORKFORCE... The Department of Labor recently proposed a rule geared at extending greater worker protections to H2-A classified workers (which increases tools for “worker advocacy” and ups compliance measures for employers). The rule also requires employers to disclose information and entities involved in foreign worker recruitment, expediting debarment procedures, codifying single/joint employer tests among other changes. Refer to a quick summary here.
Days left until a potential government shutdown: 10
THE STATE OF THE STATES
WHAT WE'RE WATCHING:
Seven state legislatures are in session.
Six U.S. governors, including those from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey, have called on President Joe Biden to increase support for the emerging offshore wind industry. The demand comes amid rising costs threatening multi-billion dollar projects along the Atlantic coast and the nation's climate objectives.
Hawaii is facing a significant shortage of healthcare workers, particularly in areas that are rural and have less population, with an estimated need for 4,000 personnel. The state has approved a $30 million funding initiative to attract healthcare workers with ties to Hawaii by offering up to $50,000 in annual loan repayments for a two-year commitment.
LAWMAKERS... IN OR OUT?
The House... will convene at 9:00 AM ET today. For the full schedule, click here.
The Senate...will convene at 11:00 AM ET today. For the full schedule, click here.
HAPPENING ON THE HILL
The House...
Committee on Small Business will hold a hearing Wednesday, 9/27 at 10:00 AM ET titled “Action Through Innovation: Private Sector Solutions to Recouping Stolen Pandemic Loan Funds”.
Committee on Small Business Subcommittee on Rural Development, Energy, and Supply Chains will hold a hearing Thursday, 9/28 at 10:00 AM ET titled “Energy Independence: How Burdensome Regulations are Crushing Small Offshore Energy Producers”.
Committee on Financial Services will hold a hearing Wednesday, 9/27 at 10:00 AM ET titled “Oversight of the Securities and Exchange Commission”.
Committee on Energy and Commerce Communications and Technology Subcommittee will hold a hearing TODAY, 9/21 at 9:00 AM ET titled “Connecting Every American: The Future of Rural Broadband Funding”.
The Senate...
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Securities, Insurance, and Investment will hold a hearing Wednesday, 9/27 at 10:30 AM ET titled “The State of Flood Insurance in America”.
BILLS OF INTEREST
Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI) introduced a bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to recognize the Women-Owned Small Business program in the Department of Veterans Affairs procurement hierarchy of small business preferences.
Rep. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-4) introduced a bill to amend the Social Security Act to authorize grants for demonstration projects to support mothers and families during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period by increasing access to short-term child care.
Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA-3) introduced a bill to require original equipment manufacturers to make available certain documentation, parts, software, and tools with respect to electronics-enabled implements of agriculture.
AT THE AGENCIES The US Department of Labor
The US Department of Labor announced it has awarded more than $1.5 million in grants to prevent and respond to workplace gender-based harassment.
The US Department of the Treasury
Check back Monday for updates.
The US Department of Commerce
The US Department of Commerce announced Secretary Gina Raimondo met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam during his visit to the United States for the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. They discussed the outcomes of President Biden's recent visit to Vietnam, including the new U.S.-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The US Trade Representative
The Office of the US Trade Representative announced the United States and Bangladesh convened the seventh meeting of the United States-Bangladesh Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA) Council.
The US Small Business Administration
The US Small Business Administration announced over $5 million in awards to support STEM and R&D-focused small businesses.
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