Sponsors (2)
The bill helps more small firms export by funding local partnerships and targeted outreach, but does so at some fiscal risk and with potential uneven regional winners — and the benefits may be temporary under a 5‑year pilot.
Small businesses (including in rural and high‑small‑business regions) gain easier and expanded access to Export‑Import Bank services, referral channels, streamlined applications, and short‑term export credit insurance, increasing their ability to sell abroad and create local jobs.
State and local governments, SBDCs, and local partner organizations (HUBZone agencies, CDFIs, minority depository institutions, chambers, community banks/credit unions) receive federal partnership support, training, and marketing assistance to build local export capacity and promote regional economic growth.
Small businesses in historically underserved areas (HUBZones and communities served by minority lenders) receive targeted outreach and resources that can increase inclusion in export markets and local economic opportunity.
Taxpayers could face increased fiscal exposure because the pilot may require additional appropriations or reallocate Export‑Import Bank resources, raising the risk that losses on export credits would be borne by the public.
Regional selection criteria and partnerships may unevenly favor certain states, institutions, or local nonprofits (including organizations tied to higher education or world trade centers), leaving other communities and organizations with fewer resources and opportunities.
The program is structured as a 5‑year pilot, so benefits are temporary and participants may lose support after sunset if the pilot is not continued or institutionalized.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Directs the Export‑Import Bank to create a Regional Export Promotion Program and a 5‑year pilot to expand tailored export support for small businesses via regional partners.
Creates a new Regional Export Promotion Program at the Export‑Import Bank to expand export opportunities for businesses through partnerships with state and local governments, nonprofits tied to higher education, Small Business Development Centers, world trade centers, and other regional entities. Establishes a five‑year pilot that prioritizes areas with high concentrations of small businesses and directs the Bank to offer tailored training, marketing, short‑term export credit insurance for small accounts, and streamlined first‑time applicant processes, with annual reporting to congressional committees on partner usage and program results. The pilot targets HUBZone agencies, community development financial institutions, minority depository institutions, local chambers, and community banks/credit unions; it defines “small business concern” by reference to existing law and asks the Bank to assess whether additional funding would have improved outcomes.
Official title: Amend the Export-Import Bank Act of 1945 to codify and expand the Regional Export Promotion Program of the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
Introduced June 17, 2026 by Angela Deneece Alsobrooks · Last progress June 17, 2026