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S 3971 119th Congress Senate Commerce Advanced technology and technological innovations Asia China Computer security and identity theft Computers and information technology Data collection, sharing, protection Government lending and loan guarantees Intellectual property Military assistance, sales, and agreements Performance measurement Public contracts and procurement Research administration and funding Research and development Small Business Administration Small business Subversive activities Technology assessment Technology transfer and commercialization

Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

Introduced: March 3, 2026 Introduced by: Ernst, Joni Republican · Iowa See on congress.gov
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 Everywhere this bill has been 16 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Apr 13, 2026
Became Public Law No: 119-83.
Apr 13, 2026
Signed by President.
Apr 2, 2026
Presented to President.
Mar 17, 2026
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H2545-2546)
Mar 17, 2026
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Mar 17, 2026
On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 345 - 41 (Roll no. 89).
Mar 16, 2026
Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H2491-2497; text: CR H2491-2495)
Mar 16, 2026
Ms. Van Duyne moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
Mar 16, 2026
At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
Mar 16, 2026
DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on S. 3971.
Mar 4, 2026
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Mar 4, 2026
Held at the desk.
Mar 4, 2026
Received in the House.
Mar 3, 2026
Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote. (consideration: CR S752-756; text: CR S752-756)
Mar 3, 2026
Passed/agreed to in Senate: Introduced in the Senate, read twice, considered, read the third time, and passed without amendment by Voice Vote.
Mar 3, 2026
Introduced in Senate
 Votes taken on this bill 1
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Mar 17, 2026 House · vote #89 On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass Passed 345–41 See who voted →
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 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

This act reauthorizes through FY2031 and modifies the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs. (The SBIR and STTR programs are administered by various federal agencies and provide competitive awards for domestic small businesses to conduct research and development projects that have the potential for commercialization.)

Specifically, the act expands the requirements for federal agencies administering these programs to evaluate the security risks of the small businesses that apply for awards under the programs. If an agency denies an application for security reasons, the agency must provide the small business with the basis for such determination.

Further, each agency must set a maximum number of proposals per fiscal year that a small business concern may submit in response to Phase I and Phase II solicitations.

The act expands the training requirements for agencies' contracting officers and acquisition workforce with respect to Phase III (commercialization of technologies) awards under the SBIR and STTR programs.

The act also establishes strategic breakthrough allocations for critical technology areas. These are additional Phase II SBIR and STTR awards to small businesses that demonstrate an effective technology and receive matching funds.

What's happening now April 13, 2026

Became Public Law No: 119-83.

 Hearings & markups 1
 Bill text 4 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Lobbying activity 34

Registered lobbyists who named this bill in their disclosure filings. Source: federal Lobbying Disclosure Act filings.

See all 34 filings →
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Mar 3, 2026
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 3971: Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act. 119th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-3971/
MLA
"S. 3971: Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act." 119th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-3971/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 3971, 119th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-3971/.
Markdown link
[S. 3971: Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/119-S-3971/)
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