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SBA backs increased lending for manufacturers and launches onshoring portal as lawmakers debate tariffs and exemptions
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Summary
At the Small Business Committee hearing, members discussed tariffs, trade impacts on small manufacturers and legislation to raise SBA loan caps for manufacturers. Administrator Kelly Loeffler supported a bill to double loan limits for manufacturers and highlighted a new onshoring portal to help small firms find U.S. suppliers.
Lawmakers and Administrator Kelly Loeffler used the hearing to press the administration’s trade and industrial strategy for small manufacturers. Chairman Williams introduced HR 3174, the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act, and asked Loeffler how increasing SBA loan size would help manufacturers. Williams said HR 3174 “increases the maximum SBA loan size for small manufacturers from $5,000,000 to $10,000,000.”
Loeffler told the committee that doubling that loan cap “will provide needed access, not just for capital equipment, but for hiring and investing in R&D” and called it complementary to administration tax proposals designed to spur investment. She also described the SBA’s newly launched onshoring portal and said it lists “over 1,000,000 domestically sourced manufacturing” sources that small firms can use to strengthen domestic supply chains.
Why it matters: several members—particularly representatives from manufacturing districts—pressed whether tariffs and reciprocal trade measures were creating uncertainty for small manufacturers. Some members asked the SBA to advocate for tariff exemptions for small firms; Loeffler repeatedly framed the administration’s approach as “fair trade” designed to restore U.S. manufacturing competitiveness and encouraged firms to use onshoring resources.
Committee exchange on tariffs: members pressed whether the administration would consider exemptions for small businesses; Loeffler declined to endorse a blanket small‑business exemption, stressing instead the administration’s aim for a “level playing field” and that onshoring resources could help firms avoid tariff exposure.
Outcomes and next steps: representatives from both parties said they want more data on how tariffs are affecting small manufacturers and requested outreach to local manufacturing businesses. The committee signaled interest in HR 3174, and the administrator said she hopes it will receive bipartisan support.
