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Congressional Daily Record
This section captures a floor statement or debate entry. It mentions legislation such as Small Business Technological Advancement Act, members such as Roger Williams.
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June 23, 2026
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Download official House Record PDFReturn to issue contextMr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 915) to authorize small business loans to finance access to modern business software, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 915
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the “Small Business Technological
Advancement Act”.
SEC. 2. ADDITIONAL USES FOR SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
BUSINESS LOANS.
(a) In General.—Section 7(a) of the Small Business Act (15
U.S.C. 636(a)) is amended by adding at the end the following:
“(38) Access to modern business software.—The
Administration may provide loans under this subsection to
finance, in whole or in part, business software or cloud
computing services, or any such technology, that facilitates
business operations, product or service delivery, the
processing, payment, or tracking of payroll expenses, human
resources, sales and billing functions, or accounting or
tracking of supplies, inventory, records and expenses,
including business tools that utilize artificial
intelligence.”.
(b) Rule of Construction.—Nothing in the amendment made by
subsection (a) shall be construed to—
(1) provide that loans made under section 7(a) of the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) before the date of enactment
of this Act for the purposes described in paragraph (38) of
such section 7(a), as added by subsection (a), were not
permissible;
(2) authorize the use of loans made under section 7(a) of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 636(a)) for research and
development purposes; or
(3) limit the definition of working capital under the Small
Business Act (15 U.S.C. 631 et seq.).
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) and the gentleman from Maryland (Mr. Olszewski) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas.
General Leave
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 915, the Small Business Technological Advancement Act, introduced by my friends the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford) and the gentlewoman from Nevada (Ms. Lee).
Small businesses thrive when they stay ahead of the curve. H.R. 915 provides an important clarification and removes any ambiguity to ensure that small businesses can use SBA 7(a) loans to purchase and upgrade technological systems and business software, including those that utilize artificial intelligence, to support their daily operations.
businesses. There are countless and valuable applications for technology in a small business, from tracking inventory to payment processing and from human resources to accounting. If an American small business wants to stay competitive in the global economy, it must stay on the cutting edge of technological development and application.
exploring innovative technologies and tools for the future. This forward-thinking bill will ensure that the SBA 7(a) program will keep American entrepreneurs competitive with their international counterparts.
this timely legislation, and I urge all of my colleagues to vote in support of H.R. 915.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 915, the Small Business Technological Advancement Act of 2025.
their day-to-day work. The use of these tools has only accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic and has produced many positive outcomes. Digital tools have been shown to improve small business job creation, revenue growth, and forecasting certainty.
innovative tools is the cost. It is important that the SBA support businesses in addressing this challenge so that they can continue adopting the digital tools that they need to work efficiently, support commerce, and create jobs in communities across the country.
working capital that can be used to finance the purchase of digital tools. Last June, the SBA further clarified that 7(a) loans could be used to finance business software or cloud computing services. However, some businesses have still reported uncertainty about using 7(a) loans for these purposes.
administrations by confirming in statute that 7(a) loans can be used to finance digital tools. Hopefully, codifying this provision will lead to clarity and an increased uptake of digital tools in small businesses.
Mr. Speaker, I thank Representatives Alford, Lee, and McGarvey for their collaboration on this legislation, and I urge my colleagues to support the bill.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford).
{time} 1510
Mr. ALFORD. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Williams for his stalwart
about for Main Street America. I thank my good friend Representative Olszewski for his support of this bill, as well.
Small businesses are the backbone of America. They are the backbone of our economy. They create jobs. They strengthen communities, and they drive innovation across our great country.
But in today's economy, Mr. Speaker, no small business can compete effectively without access to modern technology.
tools, inventory management software, and emerging artificial intelligence applications are not optional any longer if you are going to succeed in small business. They are essential for operating and growing a business.
uncertainty about whether these investments qualify as eligible business expenses.
This bill resolves that uncertainty. It ensures that those loans can be used for technology small businesses rely on today, including software, cloud computing services, and other digital tools that improve efficiency and competitiveness.
Mr. Speaker, I don't know about you, but I am into commonsense solutions for America, and this is one of those. This is a simple, commonsense fix. It doesn't create any new programs. It doesn't expand the scope of Federal lending. It simply provides clarity so that lenders and small business owners can move forward with confidence.
laws must reflect that reality, and that is why I urge my colleagues to vote “yes” for the Small Business Technological Advancement Act.
Mr. OLSZEWSKI. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers, and I yield myself the balance of my time for the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, last year, the 7(a) program provided more than 78,000 loans to small businesses worth more than $37.2 billion. Thus far, in 2026, the program has originated more than 38,000 loans worth more than $20.3 billion with an average loan size of approximately $533,000.
7(a) loans to finance digital tools, including software and cloud computing services. The SBA further clarified that position last June, yet some businesses have still reported uncertainty about using 7(a) loans for these purposes.
end any confusion once and for all by making clear that these loans can indeed be used to finance digital tools.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote in favor of H.R. 915 because access to technologies increases efficiency and productivity, and will help small businesses remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 915, as amended.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this question will be postponed.
The point of no quorum is considered withdrawn.