Committee codifies and strengthens SBA Office of Rural Affairs in HR 4549, sends bill to House unanimously

The House Committee on Small Business voted to report HR 4,549, the Office of Rural Affairs Enhancement Act, to the full House after members described the bill as a bipartisan effort to improve SBA outreach and services for rural small businesses.

Sponsor Representative Goodlander said the bill "is about accountability" for the Office of Rural Affairs, which she described as historically "chronically understaffed and under resourced." Goodlander said the measure would elevate the office by requiring an assistant‑administrator‑level leader, mandate annual reporting to Congress, and require regular outreach events to make SBA programs more accessible to rural entrepreneurs.

Ranking Member Velasquez and other members argued the legislation would codify an advocate for rural entrepreneurs within SBA and pointed to disparities in lending: committee remarks cited that, in fiscal year 2025, "only 16% of 7(a) loans and 13% of 504 loans" went to rural areas. Supporters said the bill aims to close persistent gaps in resources and lending for rural businesses.

Procedure and vote: after discussion, the committee agreed to report HR 4,549 favorably. A recorded roll call was requested and postponed under committee rule 13 and House rule 11; when the committee resumed consideration the clerk reported the later roll call as 23 ayes and 0 noes and the motion to report the bill favorably was agreed to.

Clarifying details discussed included the bill's requirements for leadership experience in rural economic development, annual congressional reporting, and mandatory outreach webinars and events. Members stressed that the measure seeks to ensure the Office of Rural Affairs "is meeting small businesses in rural America precisely where they are."