S. 3971Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

1 recorded actionWhat the measure does Read on Congress.gov

Sponsor: Joni Ernst [R-IA]
Cosponsors: 1 · 1 Democrat
Policy area: Commerce
Latest action: Apr 13, 2026 · Became Public Law No: 119-83.

IntroducedMar 3, 2026
Passed the SenateMar 3, 2026
Passed the HouseMar 17, 2026
Sent to the PresidentApr 2, 2026
Became lawApr 13, 2026

What the measure doesCRS summary

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.

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service, describing S. 3971 as public Law on Apr 13, 2026. It is not the text of the measure; a later amendment may have changed what it does.

How every member votedHouse roll call 89

House Mar 17, 2026

On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

Passed · Two-thirds required

345 Yea 41 Nay 45 not voting

Crossed both parties 41 of 386 voting members broke with their own party: 1 Democrat, 40 Republicans.

Open the official roll call

How the chamber split

One dot per member. Select a seat or a bar to filter the list.

DemocratsIndependentsRepublicansFilled: YeaRing: NayGrey: not voting or present

By party select a segment to filter

All members431 members

Democratic214 members

Independent1 member

Republican216 members

marks half of the votes cast. A party’s majority is the side most of its voting members took.

Cosponsors1 · 1 Democrat

Signing on is not a vote: a member can cosponsor S. 3971 and vote against it. 1 signed when it was filed.

DEdward J. Markey [D-MA]Original2026 profile

Who lobbied on S. 397131 organizations

Organizations that named S. 3971 in a lobbying disclosure. Only those that cited the bill by number appear, so this is a floor, not a full list.

AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA INCfiled by AEROSPACE INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION OF AMERICA, INC.

Budget/Appropriations · Aviation/Airlines/Airports · Aerospace · Defense +2 more4 filings · 3rd Quarter (July 1 - Sep 30) 2026Filing

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN MEDICAL COLLEGES

Animals · Taxation/Internal Revenue Code · Science/Technology · Budget/Appropriations +6 more3 filings · 3rd Quarter (July 1 - Sep 30) 2026Filing

BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATIONfiled by AKIN GUMP STRAUSS HAUER & FELD, BIOTECHNOLOGY INNOVATION ORGANIZATIONIts PAC: Biotechnology Innovation Organization PAC

Health Issues · Small Business · Budget/Appropriations · Copyright/Patent/Trademark +5 more3 filings · 2nd Quarter (Apr 1 - June 30) 2026Filing

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OF THE U.S.A.

Transportation · Trade (domestic/foreign) · Aerospace · Automotive Industry +27 more3 filings · 2nd Quarter (Apr 1 - June 30) 2026Filing

PIASECKI AIRCRAFT CORPORATIONfiled by ELEVATE GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS, LLC

Aerospace · Aviation/Airlines/Airports · Small Business · Budget/Appropriations +2 more3 filings · 3rd Quarter (July 1 - Sep 30) 2026Filing

ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES

Budget/Appropriations · Science/Technology · Education · Immigration +1 more2 filings · 1st Quarter (Jan 1 - Mar 31) 2026Filing

AUTMfiled by WARING FEDERAL STRATEGIES

Budget/Appropriations · Copyright/Patent/Trademark · Small Business2 filings · 2nd Quarter (Apr 1 - June 30) 2026Filing

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE

Budget/Appropriations · Labor Issues/Antitrust/Workplace · Science/Technology · Copyright/Patent/Trademark +4 more2 filings · 2nd Quarter (Apr 1 - June 30) 2026Filing

DUN & BRADSTREETfiled by CASSIDY & ASSOCIATES, INC.

Budget/Appropriations · Trade (domestic/foreign) · Small Business2 filings · 2nd Quarter (Apr 1 - June 30) 2026Filing

INTELLISENSE SYSTEMS, INC.filed by POTOMAC CAPITOL ASSOCIATES, INC.

Small Business2 filings · 2nd Quarter (Apr 1 - June 30) 2026Filing

53 disclosures name this measure. Retrieved from LDA.gov on 2026-10-25. Senate Office of Public Records cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from LDA.gov.