WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 825 · 119th Congress

Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act

Passed HouseCommerce
IntroducedJan 28, 2025
Passed HouseFeb 24, 2025
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Feb 25, 2025: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. The House passed it 405–0. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 1 section of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 825 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Feb 25, 2025).

15 U.S.C. 645 Offenses and penalties

What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 15 U.S.C. 645added (h)by H.R. 825 Sec. 2(a)

    (h) Financial assistance prohibition.—(1) In general.— An associate of a small business concern who is finally convicted of any crime involving or relating to financial misconduct or a false statement with respect to a covered loan or grant shall be ineligible to receive any financial assistance from the Administrator, other than financial assistance under section 7(b).(2) Business concerns.— A small business concern that has as an associate an individual subject to paragraph (1) shall be ineligible to receive any financial assistance from the Administrator, other than financial assistance under section 7(b).(3) Definitions.— In this subsection:(A) Associate.— The term associate means, with respect to a small business concern—(i) an officer, director, or owner of more than 20 percent of the equity of, or a key employee of, such small business concern;(ii) any entity not less than 20 percent owned or controlled by one or more individuals referred to in clause (i); and(iii) any other individual or entity in control of or controlled by such small business concern, except for a licensed small business investment company (as defined in section 103(3) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 (15 U.S.C. 662(3))).(B) Covered loan or grant.— The term covered loan or grant means—(i) a loan made under—(I) paragraph (36) or (37) of subsection (a) of section 7; or(II) subsection (b) of such section in response to the COVID–19 pandemic; or(ii) a grant made under—(I) section 5003 of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (15 U.S.C. 9009c); or(II) section 324 of the Economic Aid to Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofits, and Venues Act (15 U.S.C. 9009a).(C) Finally convicted.— The term finally convicted means, with respect to a person, that such person has been convicted of an offense and such conviction—(i) has not been appealed and is no longer appealable because the time for taking an appeal has expired; or(ii) has been appealed and the appeals process for such conviction is completed.

    The bill says: Section 16 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 645) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act

This bill prohibits individuals convicted of certain financial crimes from receiving assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA).

Specifically, the bill prohibits individuals who have been convicted of a crime involving financial misconduct or a false statement with respect to certain COVID-19 loans (e.g., Paycheck Protection Program loans, Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, and Shuttered Venue Operators grants) from receiving any financial assistance from the SBA (other than a disaster loan).

The prohibition includes SBA assistance to small businesses that have an owner, officer, director, or key employee who has been convicted of such a crime.

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Jan 28, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

Sourced
  1. Feb 25, 2025Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.Senate
  2. Feb 24, 2025Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.House floor actions
  3. Feb 24, 2025On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 0 (Roll no. 43). (text: CR H737) Roll call recordHouse floor actions
  4. Feb 24, 2025Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 405 - 0 (Roll no. 43). (text: CR H737) Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  5. Feb 24, 2025Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H748)House floor actions
  6. Feb 24, 2025At 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.House floor actions
  7. Feb 24, 2025DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 825.House floor actions
  8. Feb 24, 2025Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H737-739)House floor actions
  9. Feb 24, 2025Mr. Williams (TX) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.House floor actions
  10. Jan 28, 2025Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.House floor actions
  11. Jan 28, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress
  12. Jan 28, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show key steps only

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Feb 24, 2025 · HousePassed 405–0
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass · needed two-thirds
    R 205 yes, 0 noD 200 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Maggie Goodlander D-NH-2
  • Kweisi Mfume D-MD-7
  • Lateefah Simon D-CA-12