The record

LegislationLegislation· Apr 2026
S 3971 Signed into law

Sponsored by Joni Ernst (R)

Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act

Extends small-business research grants through 2031 and requires security screening of applicants.

Tradeoff

Expands the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs with stricter security checks and new strategic funding for critical technologies. No offsetting cuts or revenue provisions in the data.

What's in it

See official bill text

The Senate passed this by on March 3, 2026. The House passed it 345-41 on March 17, 2026, and it was signed into law.

  1. Senate

    Introduced

    (Mar 3, 2026)

  2. Senate

    Passage of the bill

    Passed by (Mar 3, 2026)

    No individual votes were recorded.

  3. House

    Received from the Senate

    Received(Mar 4, 2026)

  4. House

    On Motion to and Pass

    Passed(Roll #89 · Mar 17, 2026)

    345 yeanay 41

  5. House

    Sent to the President

    (Apr 2, 2026)

  6. White House · Signature

    Signed

    Donald Trump (R)

  7. Enacted

    Became law(Apr 13, 2026)

Final passage· Mar 17, 2026· 119th Congress · 2025–2027