Returning SBA to Main Street Act

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Bill ID: 119/s/298
Last Updated: November 18, 2025

Sponsored by

Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

ID: E000295

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 21.

March 4, 2025

Introduced

πŸ“ Current Status

Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.

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Committee Review

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Floor Action

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Passed Senate

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House Review

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Passed Congress

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Presidential Action

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Became Law

πŸ“š How does a bill become a law?

1. Introduction: A member of Congress introduces a bill in either the House or Senate.

2. Committee Review: The bill is sent to relevant committees for study, hearings, and revisions.

3. Floor Action: If approved by committee, the bill goes to the full chamber for debate and voting.

4. Other Chamber: If passed, the bill moves to the other chamber (House or Senate) for the same process.

5. Conference: If both chambers pass different versions, a conference committee reconciles the differences.

6. Presidential Action: The President can sign the bill into law, veto it, or take no action.

7. Became Law: If signed (or if Congress overrides a veto), the bill becomes law!

Bill Summary

Another masterpiece of legislative theater, brought to you by the esteemed members of Congress. Let's dissect this farce and expose its true nature.

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The "Returning SBA to Main Street Act" (S 298) claims to aim at relocating 30% of Small Business Administration (SBA) headquarters employees outside the Washington metropolitan area, allegedly to promote geographic diversity and in-person customer service. How quaint. In reality, this bill is a thinly veiled attempt to pander to rural constituents, appease special interest groups, and create a smokescreen for more sinister motives.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill requires the SBA Administrator to relocate at least 30% of headquarters employees within one year. It also defines various terms, such as "headquarters employee," "pay locality," and "telework." These definitions are mere window dressing, designed to create an illusion of substance.

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The bill primarily affects SBA employees, who will be forced to relocate or adjust their work arrangements. Rural areas may see some benefits from increased SBA presence, but this is a token gesture at best. The real beneficiaries are likely to be politicians seeking to curry favor with rural voters and special interest groups.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill's impact will be negligible, except for the inconvenience it causes to SBA employees. It may lead to increased costs due to relocation expenses, potential disruption of services, and decreased morale among affected employees. The supposed benefits to rural areas are unlikely to materialize, as the relocated employees will likely maintain their existing work habits and connections.

Now, let's get to the real diagnosis:

**The Disease:** This bill suffers from a severe case of "Rural Pandering Syndrome" (RPS), a condition characterized by politicians' desperate attempts to appease rural constituents with empty promises and token gestures. RPS is often accompanied by symptoms of "Special Interest Group-itis," where lawmakers prioritize the interests of select groups over those of their broader constituency.

**The Treatment:** A healthy dose of skepticism, followed by a strong injection of reality-based policy-making. Unfortunately, this treatment is unlikely to be administered, as politicians are more interested in maintaining the illusion of effectiveness than actually addressing the underlying issues.

In conclusion, S 298 is a textbook example of legislative theater, designed to create an appearance of action while achieving little to nothing. It's a cynical attempt to manipulate public perception and curry favor with special interest groups. As a seasoned analyst, I'm not buying it.

Related Topics

Federal Budget & Appropriations Criminal Justice & Law Enforcement Congressional Rules & Procedures Transportation & Infrastructure Government Operations & Accountability National Security & Intelligence Small Business & Entrepreneurship State & Local Government Affairs Civil Rights & Liberties
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πŸ’° Campaign Finance Network

Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Congress 119 β€’ 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$406,600
29 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$7,700
Committees
$0
Individuals
$398,900

No PAC contributions found

1
SAC & FOX TRIBE OF MISSISSIPPI IN IOWA
2 transactions
$6,700
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$1,000

No committee contributions found

1
ABEL, ANDREA MS.
1 transaction
$50,000
2
MCINERNEY, THOMAS E. MR.
1 transaction
$50,000
3
NICOLLS, BOB MR.
1 transaction
$25,000
4
GRAY, C. BOYDEN
1 transaction
$25,000
5
CATSIMATIDIS, JOHN A. MR.
1 transaction
$25,000
6
KOTICK, ROBERT MR.
1 transaction
$16,600
7
VINCZE, CHRISTOPHER
1 transaction
$15,800
8
FRANCE, BRIAN Z. MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
9
BAKER, BERNARD J. MR. III
1 transaction
$15,000
10
HEGYI, ALBERT P. MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
11
DAVISON, JAMES E. MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
12
BROIN, JEFF MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
13
SHERRILL, STEPHEN C. MR.
1 transaction
$15,000
14
GLEESON, JOHN W. MR.
1 transaction
$12,500
15
RAY-GLEESON, KAREN S. MRS.
1 transaction
$12,500
16
POPOLO, JOE
1 transaction
$11,800
17
PFAUTCH, ROY MR.
1 transaction
$11,600
18
GOLDMAN, MARC STANLEY
1 transaction
$10,000
19
SCHLOEMER, JAMES H. MR.
1 transaction
$10,000
20
SABIN, ANDREW MR.
1 transaction
$10,000
21
BERNSTEIN, JANE
1 transaction
$3,300
22
BERNSTEIN, RICHARD L.
1 transaction
$3,300
23
CHALMERS, DUNCAN
1 transaction
$3,300
24
GIRSKY, LAURIE
1 transaction
$3,300
25
GIRSKY, STEPHEN
1 transaction
$3,300

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 2 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]

ID: B001243

Top Contributors

10

1
FRIENDS OF COMMUNITY ONCOLOGY PAC
PAC VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
$5,000
Apr 12, 2023
2
THE COGGIN GROUP
Organization MURFREESBORO, TN
$2,900
Mar 9, 2023
3
THE COGGIN GROUP
Organization MURFREESBORO, TN
$2,500
Mar 9, 2023
4
DOSS BROTHERS FARM
Organization LAWRENCEBURG, TN
$1,000
Apr 17, 2024
5
DOSS BROTHERS FARM
Organization LAWRENCEBURG, TN
$1,000
Mar 18, 2024
6
BL PARTNERS GROUP LLC
Organization ARLINGTON, VA
$500
Mar 17, 2023
7
KING, RODNEY W.
SELF-EMPLOYED β€’ ATTORNEY
Individual GERMANTOWN, TN
$13,200
Apr 4, 2024
8
BEAN, BILL G.
HANNING & BEAN ENTERPRISES INC. β€’ REAL ESTATE INVESTOR
Individual COLUMBIA CITY, IN
$10,000
May 1, 2024
9
SMITH, THOMAS
PRESCOTT INVESTORS INC. β€’ INVESTOR
Individual BOCA RATON, FL
$10,000
May 13, 2024
10
GAMBLE, KATHRYN
UNAKA CO β€’ BUSINESS EXECUTIVE
Individual DALLAS, TX
$9,900
Jul 15, 2024

Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]

ID: S001184

Top Contributors

10

1
FAIRWAY INVESTMENTS, LLC
Organization GREENVILLE, SC
$13,200
May 23, 2023
2
FAIRWAY INVESTMENTS, LLC
Organization GREENVILLE, SC
$3,300
May 23, 2023
3
MK INTERNATIONAL LLC
Organization SUMTER, SC
$3,300
May 23, 2023
4
OSWALD COOKE & ASSOCIATES, LLC
Organization MOUNT PLEASANT, SC
$1,500
May 23, 2023
5
HUDSON CAPITAL ADVISORS LLC
Organization JERSEY CITY, NJ
$1,000
Oct 27, 2023
6
MORONGO BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
Organization BANNING, CA
$1,000
May 7, 2024
7
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
Organization HOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Aug 23, 2023
8
SEMINOLE TRIBE OF FLORIDA
Organization HOLLYWOOD, FL
$3,300
Aug 16, 2024
9
MICCOSUKEE TRIBE
Organization MIAMI, FL
$1,000
Jan 30, 2024
10
YOCHA DEHE WINTUN NATION
Organization BROOKS, CA
$3,300
Jun 30, 2023

Donor Network - Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.

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Showing 36 nodes and 36 connections

Total contributions: $436,800

Top Donors - Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

2 Orgs27 Individuals