H.R. 2966 — American Entrepreneurs First Act of 2025

Summary

American Entrepreneurs First Act

This bill revises the application requirements for the Small Business Administration's 7(a) loan and 504 loan programs.

Specifically, the bill requires applications for such loans to include (1) the applicant's date of birth; and (2) a certification that the applicant or all beneficial owners are citizens, nationals, or lawful permanent residents of the United States.

The bill specifies that certain individuals are ineligible for such loans, including (1) asylees, (2) refugees, (3) individuals issued a visa to remain in the United States, (4) individuals legally classified as nonimmigrants, (5) individuals to whom deferred action has been granted pursuant to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, and (6) individuals without lawful status under the immigration laws of the United States.

How Congress Voted

House roll call 156 — Jun 6, 2025

424 votes

213(50%)

Yea

187(44%)

Nay

0(0%)

Present

24(6%)

Not voting

Related bills

H.Res. 458Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2483) to reauthorize certain programs that provide for opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2931) to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to relocate certain offices of the Small Business Administration in sanctuary jurisdictions, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2966) to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to require an applicant for certain loans of the Administration to provide certain citizenship status documentation, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2987) to amend the Small Business Act to require a limit on the number of small business lending companies, and for other purposes.119

Procedurally related

H.Res. 458Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2483) to reauthorize certain programs that provide for opioid use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2931) to direct the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to relocate certain offices of the Small Business Administration in sanctuary jurisdictions, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2966) to require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to require an applicant for certain loans of the Administration to provide certain citizenship status documentation, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 2987) to amend the Small Business Act to require a limit on the number of small business lending companies, and for other purposes.119

Bill text versions

Legislative Journey

Introduced
Committee
Floor
Passed Chamber 1
Passed Chamber 2
Signed

Jun 9, 2025

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

Senate

Jun 6, 2025

Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

House

Jun 6, 2025

On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 190 (Roll no. 156). (text: CR H2510-2511)

House

Jun 6, 2025

Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 217 - 190 (Roll no. 156).

Jun 6, 2025

The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.

House

Jun 6, 2025

DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 2966.

House

Jun 6, 2025

Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2483, H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966 and H.R. 2987. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2483 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966, and H.R. 2987 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.

House

Jun 6, 2025

Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 458. (consideration: CR H2510-2515)

House

Jun 3, 2025

Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 458 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 2483, H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966 and H.R. 2987. The resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 2483 under a structured rule and for consideration of H.R. 2931, H.R. 2966, and H.R. 2987 under a closed rule. The resolution provides for one hour of debate and one motion to recommit on each bill.

House

May 21, 2025

Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 83.

House

May 21, 2025

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-112.

House

May 21, 2025

Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Small Business. H. Rept. 119-112.

Apr 30, 2025

Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 15 - 11.

House

Apr 30, 2025

Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

House

Apr 17, 2025

Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.

House

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced in House

Apr 17, 2025

Introduced in House