[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6328098,"mediaKeyId","2321670-8947faa8fcbe1f1645a88d1a7d2229c5","parentId",2321670,"title","Senate Small Business Committee advances Paul amendment to S.298; several Markey amendments fail","audioSeconds",1362,"startMs",1800000,"endMs",3162000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321670-8947faa8fcbe1f1645a88d1a7d2229c5&start=1800&end=3162","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321670-8947faa8fcbe1f1645a88d1a7d2229c5/thumbnail_1800000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6328098/Senate-Small-Business-Committee-advances-Paul-amendment-to-S298-several-Markey-amendments-fail","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328098-02eab62da62ef5fc1ef8ce845798fbc9/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567871&Signature=GyvYCSFVWrKgZuyR1W8lbOT31ftnXnALDJfGu~y4vTT99Pth-gBmrmPmFlA9yaz7YsTGED6O9V1f~gRYxQ8R97dylmCi5C2l4D~ldnc1mtwfqk~4-dhgy1Zq6sLVHfPArxuMxAjPqcoWu62ixys8URQ5aGdebg1wpmILD~C3~hPf2LQg8U5tIMmYLdd5sHVzfccanU77ZcP7lx5fGVSZLJ6L3qbOyrsENKLswvc~Awdcb1h5AJsYZppaL5fs9uG4l6XerLXYJO8FYOd9gSkjS9PFQV~WGY9q31rMZI7kOUAe0m830A4W02vMsqYbZQycQeWgfQY8NgVYLzEHs582mQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship","date","2025-02-12T00:00:00Z","article","The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship considered S.298, the Returning SBA to Main Street Act, which would relocate portions of the Small Business Administration workforce outside the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and set percentage targets for redistributing staff.

The chair described the bill as a way to “relocate and reallocate the SBA's workforce to locations outside of the DC Metro Area, reduce telework, and redistribute SBA resources throughout America.” The bill’s sponsors were identified on the record as including senators Blackburn and Scott of South Carolina.

Ranking Member Markey said members had “real concerns that must be addressed before this bill can be implemented,” arguing the measure could harm employee recruitment and retention, and called it “anti union and anti worker.” Markey added that his office had prepared amendments, including one directing the Government Accountability Office to do a cost-benefit analysis before implementing relocations.

Senator Rand Paul offered Amendment No. 1, which “simply directs the small business administrator to only relocate employees if the location determines that doing so will reduce the federal government's costs.” The chair said she supported that amendment. The committee approved the Paul amendment by roll call, with the clerk reporting the vote as 10 yeas and 9 nays.

Markey’s proposed substitute (identified in the record as Markey amendment No. 3), which would have required a GAO cost-benefit study and other protections, failed on a roll call, 9 yeas to 10 nays. A Shaheen substitute that would have required a good-cause provision before removal of any SBA employee also failed, 9 yeas to 10 nays. Subsequent Markey amendments seeking employee relocation protections and restrictions on non‑SBA access to SBA data (identified in the record as Markey amendment No. 1 and Markey amendment No. 4) likewise were not agreed to, each failing by recorded votes of 9 yeas to 10 nays.

Senator Shaheen and others emphasized the value of district and field offices for disaster recovery and local assistance, while supporters of the underlying bill argued the measure would put more staff in field offices and better serve small businesses across the country.

Under a previously stated unanimous-consent agreement, the committee postponed further proceedings on S.298 after the amendments were considered. No final passage of the underlying S.298 occurred during the session; the measure remains pending before the committee.

Votes at a glance: Paul amendment to S.298 — agreed, 10–9. Markey amendment No. 3 (GAO cost‑benefit substitute) — failed, 9–10. Shaheen substitute (good‑cause removal provision) — failed, 9–10. Markey amendment No. 1 (employee protections) — failed, 9–10. Markey amendment No. 4 (restrict non‑SBA access to records) — failed, 9–10.

The committee recorded substantial debate about the effects on career employees and compliance with collective‑bargaining agreements, and members signaled intent to continue negotiations outside the markup. The chair indicated the committee would provide members with a list of agreed amendments in advance at future markups to streamline consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Business Meeting: February 12, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship considered S.298, the Returning SBA to Main Street Act, which would relocate portions of the Small Business Administration workforce outside the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area and set percentage targets for redistributing staff.","taxTitle","Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Senate Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1999,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6328086,"Committee rejects Markey motion to restore equal private‑witness practice; rules reported favorably",486,3480000,3966000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321670-8947faa8fcbe1f1645a88d1a7d2229c5&start=3480&end=3966","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321670-8947faa8fcbe1f1645a88d1a7d2229c5/thumbnail_3480000.jpg","/articles/6328086/Committee-rejects-Markey-motion-to-restore-equal-privatewitness-practice-rules-reported-favorably","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328086-d432ab3073bb32d70ce409af31baf7f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567871&Signature=gtRxwFBbIeEiDaDlrnIVMbf~6t93ud22JIKKyiyjR6hlvOeCNr2yA598vp9mizkx~4uY1QAQSuw82bfy9yV9pDRdilDeD-4s7~4X~pmHOM3-sT7JHbBq7iSU64GySvqB1sS2lUhzaDNvoutn13RcBlgki20lodxUm-bglQU~U0xF1XDwQR6KrwJPXJWE8P~k5IHml4RkJdnC8uXzRXdMzkF0LEzQ0KUwlfw105S~nI6WdkP9LUR44xm4OUvIluPOihm5~BkCrfLZ8EXLlrOB1HpQ55IzrI4x7C-kn7cfeAzBCmTq95aeWYogAkEbM83ostYwB0ATBl8HxhwdvfXKcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Ranking Member Markey proposed an amendment to the committee’s rules to preserve a longstanding practice of calling an equal number of private witnesses for majority and minority in committee hearings.

Markey argued that, except for one Congress, the committee had largely followed the equal‑witness practice since 2001 and said equal witnesses make hearings fairer and “more constructive.” He urged the committee to adopt his amendment to continue that practice.

The chair opposed the amendment, saying the proposed change conformed committee practice to standing Senate rules while offering to work with the minority on witness numbers. Senators Shaheen, Rosen and others spoke in opposition to changing the longstanding bipartisan witness practice.

The committee conducted a roll‑call vote on the Markey amendment; the clerk reported 9 yeas and 10 nays and the amendment failed. The committee later voted to report the committee rules favorably; the chair ruled the rules were reported favorably with a quorum present.

Members discussed accommodating witness numbers in practice and the chair said she would be \"absolutely willing to work with our minority\" on witness lists for individual hearings. The transcript recorded requests to seek consistent language in the official record and offers to continue dialogue about daily witness counts going forward.","Ranking Member Markey proposed an amendment to preserve an equal private‑witness practice in the committee’s rules; the amendment failed by roll call 9–10.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6328088,"Committee reports S.371, SBA Disaster Transparency Act, favorably",123,3361000,3484000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321670-8947faa8fcbe1f1645a88d1a7d2229c5&start=3361&end=3484","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321670-8947faa8fcbe1f1645a88d1a7d2229c5/thumbnail_3361000.jpg","/articles/6328088/Committee-reports-S371-SBA-Disaster-Transparency-Act-favorably","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328088-a2402470b1d3570296dedf74a100bed3/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567871&Signature=DbIJTPa-KrtGodmQV9KMdZ56-~AbO5YWRqtmknzM66cKK39mIFxZG2nM1QHc2WW647zBDB3XhRo38wmnNTQWzjSnObhyRqm9jzJ-nkqFcsqbBi4fu0jL79Klsbk-olUDF9hZ7awO~ehX0brr6a~sCDm25SVnc6YkQyS8XBq5kqS~sbzxDWCi-tzFUUu7KOlJgJhb6CmoXBTmRporbbXXnCEwcUJ4czFEhAUSFMdtKxeTMHiKoOMi16rhv5I74~HB5LZ-xPSgMk-MrQrsRyEtuTknMXmUuepppbepqW-yF9FFzhh-1oP-cqqyathPN1qALgbQaYiM8Blg0~UFJLqGaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee moved to consider S.371, the SBA Disaster Transparency Act, described in the record as a complement to S.300 that would require the Small Business Administration to publish reporting on its disaster‑loan program on the SBA website.

Senator Scott (bill sponsor) and Senator Schiff, among others, were cited as authors and cosponsors in the record; Senator Schiff thanked colleagues and noted that timely publication of reports and notifications helps Congress and disaster survivors.

The chair moved to favorably report S.371. Ranking Member Markey said he supported the bill and urged unanimous adoption. The committee agreed by voice vote; the chair ruled that S.371 was reported favorably with a quorum present.

Committee discussion framed S.371 as a transparency measure intended to help Congress identify funding needs earlier and avoid past shortfalls in disaster lending.","The committee voted to report S.371, the SBA Disaster Transparency Act, favorably. Members described the bill as complementary to S.300 and said it will require SBA to publish disaster‑loan reporting on its website to improve public transparency.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6328093,"Committee approves bipartisan substitute to S.300 to increase SBA disaster-accounting transparency",309,3077000,3386000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2321670-8947faa8fcbe1f1645a88d1a7d2229c5&start=3077&end=3386","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2321670-8947faa8fcbe1f1645a88d1a7d2229c5/thumbnail_3077000.jpg","/articles/6328093/Committee-approves-bipartisan-substitute-to-S300-to-increase-SBA-disaster-accounting-transparency","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6328093-0b5dacf24161b11bb0478662d0b82f11/orig.mp4?Expires=1773567871&Signature=MHzoKPcTP-N33nWp3fMPYathkmCgrm2vgh3XHL-UvYmnuxJGr9oDxUuxvxUTJG3QPCUCXpg3AHW3CGvLQekVzYX5eUkiUcFw6cMBsBrf8YTgXboAD5lKZFiKhy~2js~-dAXPUw0T-PWv33VE9mZ9lbaDyYuz~vfjDQcfDLiHsu9exG9NE2rZWVIKyA0Zbwbz6dBJNIUxMzv4U9EEsM1~Qr8c6o-pNXQxOZwBkMnNuv8hkxROKnArcBz-A4dQa3HiQ-mHPmYfyoD72-Avj2S30AmKvoBQlAbNU8xTaCE3mNo-agU7Z-PiNjYhJsLGvizNSCbkswh7olZrGV-llsoO2g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The committee considered S.300, the Disaster Loan Account Accountability and Reform Act, a bill described from the dais as intended to prevent future shortfalls in the SBA disaster loan account.

The chair explained the bill “aims to prevent an SBA disaster shortfall from occurring ever again by heightening accountability, transparency, and reporting measures at SBA,” and noted the committee had worked to produce a bipartisan substitute. Ranking Member Markey said he was “pleased that we were successful in reaching a bipartisan agreement” and that the substitute removed any provisions that would reduce benefits for disaster survivors.

Senator Schiff—who had been involved in related transparency work—praised the bipartisan negotiations and said timely notifications and reporting are essential, calling the committee an “oasis of compromise and bipartisanship when we work together.”

The chair offered an amendment in the nature of a substitute to S.300 that the record identifies as bipartisan; the substitution was agreed to by voice vote. Under a prior unanimous‑consent agreement, further proceedings on the measure were postponed for floor or later consideration.

The committee’s discussion emphasized that SBA’s 2024 disaster‑loan account experienced a months‑long shortfall that delayed assistance, and members said improved reporting and earlier communication to Congress are necessary to avoid repeating that outcome.","The committee agreed to a bipartisan amendment in the nature of a substitute to S.300, the Disaster Loan Account Accountability and Reform Act, to add reporting and flexibility to prevent future disaster‑loan shortfalls. The substitute was agreed by voice vote and further proceedings were postponed.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Senate Small Business Committee advances Paul amendment to S.298; several Markey amendments fail

Committee rejects Markey motion to restore equal private‑witness practice; rules reported favorably

Committee reports S.371, SBA Disaster Transparency Act, favorably

Committee approves bipartisan substitute to S.300 to increase SBA disaster-accounting transparency