HR 5568119th CongressIn Committee

Funding Small Businesses During Shutdown Act

Introduced: Sep 26, 2025

Sponsor: Rep. Conaway, Herbert C. [D-NJ-3] (D-New Jersey)

Economy & TaxesFinancial Services

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

This bill aims to protect critical Small Business Administration (SBA) programs from disruptions during federal government shutdowns. It would establish automatic continuing appropriations for specific SBA programs and activities, ensuring they can continue operating even when Congress has not passed regular appropriations legislation. The bill seeks to prevent small businesses from losing access to essential lending, disaster assistance, and support services during periods of government funding lapses.

Key Points

1Automatic Funding Trigger: Establishes that certain SBA programs would automatically receive continued funding at previous levels when regular appropriations expire or during a government shutdown
2Protected Programs: Covers critical SBA functions including loan guarantee programs (7(a), 504, and microloan programs), disaster loan programs, and essential administrative operations needed to support these activities
3Funding Level: Appropriations would continue at the rate and under the same conditions as the previous fiscal year until new appropriations are enacted
4No Funding Gaps: Eliminates potential interruptions in small business access to capital and disaster assistance during political budget impasses
5Administrative Continuity: Ensures SBA staff necessary to process loans and provide services can continue working during shutdowns

Impact Areas

Small Businesses: Maintains uninterrupted access to SBA loans and guarantees, preventing potential business failures or missed opportunities due to funding lapsesDisaster-Affected Communities: Ensures continued processing and disbursement of disaster assistance loans when communities are recovering from natural disasters or emergenciesLenders and Financial Institutions: Provides certainty that SBA-guaranteed loan programs will continue operating, allowing them to maintain lending activities to small businessesSBA Employees: Protects jobs and ensures essential personnel can continue serving small business clients during government shutdowns

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