Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act

Download PDF
Bill ID: 119/hr/7396
Last Updated: September 7, 2026

Sponsored by

Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

ID: D000629

Follow the money

The bill

Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act

HR. 7396, 119th Congress — read as touching For-Profit Education & Student Loans.

The sponsor

Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.

The money

$99,000 raised

30 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.

The alignment

85% match to Project 2025

This bill's text tracks the "Federal Reserve" section, p. 776-779 of the Mandate for Leadership.

Bill's Journey to Becoming a Law

Track this bill's progress through the legislative process

Latest Action

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.

June 23, 2026

Introduced

Committee Review

Floor Action

Passed House

Senate Review

📍 Current Status

Next: Both chambers must agree on the same version of the bill.

🎉

Passed Congress

🖊️

Presidential Action

⚖️

Became Law

📚 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, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?

**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act (HR 7396) claims to establish an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). How quaint. Its stated goal is to promote entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access for Native American-owned small businesses. Because, you know, that's exactly what Native American communities need – more bureaucratic red tape and empty promises.

**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill creates a new office within the SBA, headed by an Assistant Administrator for Native American Affairs, who will supposedly provide culturally tailored assistance to Native American small business owners. It also mandates annual reports to Congress on the office's effectiveness, because accountability is overrated. Oh, and it terminates in 7 years, because who needs long-term commitment when you can just kick the can down the road?

**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** The usual suspects: Native American tribes, Native Hawaiian organizations, small business owners, and the SBA itself. But let's be real, the only ones who will truly benefit from this bill are the politicians who get to tout it as a "pro-Native American" initiative, the bureaucrats who'll staff the new office, and the lobbyists who'll find ways to exploit its loopholes.

**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of " legislative placebo effect." It's designed to make everyone feel good about themselves, without actually addressing the systemic issues plaguing Native American communities. The real disease here is not lack of access to capital or entrepreneurial development, but rather centuries of institutionalized racism, neglect, and exploitation. This bill is just a Band-Aid on a bullet wound.

In conclusion, HR 7396 is a textbook example of "policy theater" – all flash, no substance. It's a cynical attempt to appease Native American voters while maintaining the status quo of bureaucratic inefficiency and corruption. The only thing more astonishing than the bill's lack of teeth is the fact that anyone expects us to take it seriously. Next!

Related Topics

Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Generated using Llama 3.1 70B (Dr. Haus personality)

💰 Campaign Finance Network

Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

Congress 119 • 2024 Election Cycle

Total Contributions
$99,000
25 donors
PACs
$0
Organizations
$99,000
Committees
$0
Individuals
$0

No PAC contributions found

1
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
2
CHEROKEE NATION
2 transactions
$6,600
3
PECHANGA BAND OF LUISENO INDIANS
2 transactions
$6,600
4
MUCKLESHOOT INDIAN TRIBE
2 transactions
$6,600
5
SANTA ROSA RANCHERIA
2 transactions
$6,600
6
HO-CHUNK NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
7
LEECH LAKE BAND OF OJIBWE
1 transaction
$3,300
8
PASCUA YAQUI TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
9
PRAIRIE ISLAND TRIBAL COUNCIL
1 transaction
$3,300
10
REDDING RANCHERIA
1 transaction
$3,300
11
THE UTE INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
12
HO CHUNK NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
13
KALISPEL TRIBAL ECONOMIC AUTHORITY
1 transaction
$3,300
14
SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
15
SHINGLE SPRINGS BAND MIWOK INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
16
SNOQUALMIE TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
17
NOTTAWASEPPI HURON BAND OF THE POTAWATOMI
1 transaction
$3,300
18
POARCH BAND OF CREEK INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
19
NISQUALLY INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
20
SUQUAMISH INDIAN TRIBE
1 transaction
$3,300
21
SYCUAN BAND OF THE NUMEYAAY NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
22
THE TULALIP TRIBES OF WASHINGTON
1 transaction
$3,300
23
ONEIDA NATION
1 transaction
$3,300
24
PUYALLUP TRIBE OF INDIANS
1 transaction
$3,300
25
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
1 transaction
$3,300

No committee contributions found

No individual contributions found

Cosponsors & Their Campaign Finance

This bill has 4 cosponsors. Below are their top campaign contributors.

Rep. Ellzey, Jake [R-TX-6]

ID: E000071

Top Contributors

34

1
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$3,300
Nov 5, 2024
2
BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS AGUA CALIENTE
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Feb 9, 2024
3
INDIAN COMMUNITY AK-CHIN
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Feb 9, 2024
4
BAND OF CAHUILLA INDIANS AGUA CALIENTE
OrganizationPALM SPRINGS, CA
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
5
PECHANGA BAND OF INDIANS
OrganizationTEMECULA, CA
$3,000
Nov 6, 2023
6
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationTAHLEQUAH, OK
$2,500
Dec 11, 2023
7
TIGUA INDIAN RESERVATION TRIBAL COUNCIL GENERAL FUND
OrganizationEL PASO, TX
$2,500
Aug 9, 2023
8
INDIAN COMMUNITY AK-CHIN
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$2,000
Sep 30, 2024
9
ALABAMA-COUSHATTA TRIBE
OrganizationLIVINGSTON, TX
$1,000
Oct 16, 2024
10
TALK FARMS
OrganizationITASCA, TX
$500
Dec 31, 2023

Rep. Morrison, Kelly [D-MN-3]

ID: M001234

Top Contributors

24

1
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Aug 5, 2024
2
SHAKOPEE MDEWAKANTON SIOUX COMMUNITY
OrganizationPRIOR LAKE, MN
$3,300
Sep 30, 2024
3
PRAIRIE ISLAND TRIBAL COUNCIL
OrganizationWELCH, MN
$3,300
Oct 18, 2024
4
MILLE LACS BAND OF OJIBWE INDIANS
OrganizationONAMIA, MN
$2,500
Aug 30, 2024
5
LINDSAY, HELEN
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWAYZATA, MN
$5,000
Sep 13, 2024
6
MURPHY, CYNTHIA
SELF EMPLOYED • COMMUNITY VOLUNTEER
IndividualMINNEAPOLIS, MN
$3,300
Oct 4, 2024
7
DAYTON, CORNELIA MASSIE
NOT EMPLOYED • NOT EMPLOYED
IndividualWAYZATA, MN
$3,300
Oct 7, 2024
8
POHLAD, JAMES
POHLAD COMPANIES • BUSINESS
IndividualMINNEAPOLIS, MN
$3,300
Oct 14, 2024
9
DEIGNAN, JOE
SOLHEIM INVESTMENT PARTNERS LLC • PRIVATE INVESTOR
IndividualEDINA, MN
$3,300
Aug 12, 2024
10
FRANCIS, MICHAEL RAYMOND
FARVIEW ASSOCIATES • CEO
IndividualORONO, MN
$3,300
Sep 25, 2024

Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]

ID: C001132

Top Contributors

22

1
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Mar 31, 2024
2
AK-CHIN INDIAN COMMUNITY
OrganizationMARICOPA, AZ
$3,300
Sep 16, 2024
3
STALLINGS, KYLE MR.
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$10,000
Oct 14, 2024
4
HILL, VERNON
IndividualMOORESTOWN, NJ
$7,318
Jul 11, 2024
5
STALLINGS, KYLE MR.
IndividualMIDLAND, TX
$6,600
Mar 1, 2023
6
MIRELES, OMAR
HSL PROPERTIES • REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER
IndividualTUCSON, AZ
$6,600
Mar 29, 2023
7
ADAMS, MICHAEL A.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMCLEAN, VA
$6,600
Jun 30, 2024
8
ADAMS, MICHAEL A.
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualMCLEAN, VA
$6,600
Jun 30, 2024
9
HINMAN, ROY H. MR. II
ISLAND DOCTORS • FOUNDER/CEO
IndividualST. AUGUSTINE, FL
$6,600
Apr 4, 2023
10
KEMMERER, KAREN
RETIRED • RETIRED
IndividualJACKSON, WY
$6,600
Apr 6, 2023

Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3]

ID: S001221

Top Contributors

33

1
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$6,600
Aug 5, 2024
2
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA INDIAN TRIBE
OrganizationMT PLEASANT, MI
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
3
POKAGON BAND OF POTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationDOWAGIAC, MI
$3,300
Sep 29, 2023
4
FEDERATED INDIANS OF GRATON RANCHERIA
OrganizationROHNERT PARK, CA
$3,300
Aug 5, 2024
5
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Oct 22, 2024
6
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH BAND OF POTTAWATOMI INDIANS
OrganizationSHELBYVILLE, MI
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
7
MASHANTUCKET PEQUOT TRIBE
OrganizationMASHANTUCKET, CT
$3,300
Dec 21, 2023
8
NOTTAWASEPPI HURON BAND OF THE POTAWATOMI
OrganizationFULTON, MI
$3,300
Mar 29, 2024
9
CHEROKEE NATION
OrganizationWASHINGTON, DC
$1,000
Sep 23, 2024
10
PEOPLE FOR BETTER GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE OF THE SAN MANUEL BAND OF MISSION INDIANS
OrganizationLOS ANGELES, CA
$1,000
Aug 22, 2024

Donor Network - Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

PACs
Organizations
Individuals
Politicians

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

Loading...

Showing 77 nodes and 88 connections

Total contributions: $88

Top Donors - Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3]

Showing top 25 donors by contribution amount

25 Orgs

Industry Impact

Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped.

  • Section 2 establishes an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration to provide assistance, including grants, contracts, cooperative agreements, or other financial assistance, to Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations, or to private nonprofit organizations governed by members of Indian Tribes or Native Hawaiian Organizations. This could benefit for-profit education entities that serve Native American communities if they qualify as small business concerns o

Project 2025 Policy Matches

This bill shows semantic similarity to the following sections of the Project 2025 policy document.AI-enhanced analysis provides detailed alignment ratings.

Federal Reserve

Strong
Vector: 70%
Pages: 776-779AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill creates an SBA office focused on Native American entrepreneurship, directly advancing the SBA's mission to aid and grow small businesses—a core emphasis of the Project 2025 SBA policy. It aligns with the policy's goal of strengthening SBA programs to support underserved entrepreneurs and improve agency effectiveness."

Key themes:SBA missionsmall business supportentrepreneurship developmentaccess to capitalfederal agency coordination

— 745 — 25 SMALL BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION Karen Kerrigan MISSION STATEMENT The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) supports U.S. entrepreneurship and small business growth by strengthening free enterprise through policy advo- cacy and facilitating programs that help entrepreneurs to launch and grow their businesses and compete effectively in the global marketplace. OVERVIEW Created almost 70 years ago, the SBA was launched under the Small Business Act with a mission to “aid, counsel, assist and protect, insofar as is possible, the interests of small business concerns.”1 According to its current mission statement: The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) helps Americans start, grow, and build resilient businesses. SBA was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns; preserve free competitive enterprise; and maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.2 The SBA’s founding mission has evolved over time as programs have been expanded or implemented, subject to the philosophical grounding of each Admin- istration as well as assorted economic challenges and the occurrence of natural disasters. Because of its distinct role in the federal government, the SBA became — 746 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise the default agency for providing disaster loans to small businesses, homeowners, renters, and organizations. As a result, hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars have been funneled through the agency to businesses and individuals over the years. Some SBA programs are effective; others are not. The largest program in SBA’s history, the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), has been credited with saving millions of jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.3 A conservative Administration would rightly focus on saving small businesses during such a crisis. At the same time, however, various SBA programs have generated waste, fraud, and misman- agement of taxpayer dollars. For example, and more recently, more than $1 trillion in COVID-19 relief was distributed through the SBA.4 The SBA’s EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan) Advance program in particular shows the dangers that can come with direct government lending. EIDL Advance provided direct cash grants and loans to small businesses. The SBA Office of Inspector General “identified $78.1 billion in potentially fraudulent EIDL loans and grants paid to ineligible entities,”5 which represented more than half of all funds spent through the program. Although PPP worked through private lenders and as a result experienced relatively less fraud than EIDL experienced, it is estimated “that at least 70,000 [PPP] loans were potentially fraudulent.”6 ORIGIN, HISTORY, AND CORE FUNCTIONS In 1954, the agency began to execute such core functions as “making and guaranteeing loans for small businesses,” “ensuring that small businesses earn a ‘fair proportion’ of government contracts and sales of surplus property,” and “provid[ing] business owners with management and business training.”7 In 1970, President Richard Nixon’s Executive Order 11518 enhanced the agen- cy’s advocacy role by providing for the “increased representation of the interests of small business concerns before departments and agencies of the United States Government.”8 This advocacy role was strengthened with the adoption of the Small Business Amendments of 1974,9 which established the Chief Counsel for Advocacy, and was then reinforced and expanded in 1976 with the creation of the Office of Advocacy, providing additional resources to ensure that small businesses had a voice in the regulatory process. In 1980, the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA)10 further strengthened the Office of Advocacy’s role, providing accountability across federal agencies to ensure that they considered the impact of their rulemakings on small businesses. The RFA requires federal agencies “to consider the effects of their regulations on small businesses and other small entities,”11 and the Office of Advocacy is charged with ensuring that federal agencies abide by the law and is required to provide an annual report to the President and the Senate and House Committees on Small Business.12 In addition, the Trade Facilitation and Trade Enforcement Act (TFTEA) of 201613

Small Business Administration

Strong
Vector: 70%
Pages: 780-782AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill aligns strongly with Project 2025’s emphasis on expanding SBA’s role in entrepreneurial development and access to capital, particularly by creating a dedicated office to support underserved communities. Both prioritize enhancing SBA programs to promote economic opportunity and self-sufficiency through targeted small business support."

Key themes:entrepreneurial developmentaccess to capitalsmall business supporteconomic opportunitySBA program enhancement

— 747 — Small Business Administration established a new role for the Office of Advocacy: “to facilitate greater consider- ation of small business economic issues during international trade negotiations.”14 This small office has been relatively effective over the years—and more produc- tive during periods when a strong Chief Counsel for Advocacy has been installed to utilize the Office of Advocacy’s authority aggressively to provide a check on regulatory overreach. The office is one of the bright spots within the SBA that a conservative Administration could supercharge to dismantle extreme regulatory policies and advance limited-government reforms that promote economic freedom and opportunity. Currently, the SBA’s four core functions include: l Access to capital. SBA maintains assorted financing and lending programs for small businesses, from microlending to debt and equity investment capital. l Entrepreneurial development programs. SBA provides “free” or low- cost training at more than 1,800 locations and through online platforms and webinars. l Government contracting support programs. Through goals established by the SBA for federal departments and agencies, the broader goal is to ensure that small businesses win 23 percent of prime contracts. l Advocacy. This independent office within the SBA works to ensure that federal agencies consider small businesses’ concerns and impact in rulemakings. The office also conducts small-business research. BUDGETARY FLUCTUATION SBA’s budget and programs have expanded significantly under some Admin- istrations and have been scaled back under others. President Ronald Reagan cut the SBA’s budget by more than 30 percent, and his annual budgets regularly pro- posed to eliminate the agency altogether.15 Under President George W. Bush, SBA Administrator Hector Barreto said that SBA’s goal was “to do more with less,”16 but this changed because of Hurricane Katrina and a surge in disaster funding. In 2016, President Barack Obama considered streamlining and combining SBA programs and other business-related agencies and programs under one entity at the U.S. Department of Commerce, but opposition within the small-business lobby in Washington scuttled the effort.17 In general, SBA budget fluctuations have been driven by several factors such as efforts by Administrations either to cut or to greatly expand programs, the need to boost disaster assistance because of economic or weather-related events, business

Small Business Administration

Strong
Vector: 69%
Pages: 780-782AI Enhanced

AI Analysis:

"The bill aligns strongly with Project 2025's emphasis on expanding SBA's role in promoting economic opportunity through targeted support for underserved entrepreneurs, particularly by enhancing access to capital, entrepreneurial development, and government contracting—core SBA functions highlighted in the policy. Both prioritize reducing barriers for small businesses and increasing federal support for entrepreneurial growth in disadvantaged communities."

Key themes:access to capitalentrepreneurial developmentgovernment contracting supporteconomic opportunitytargeted small business assistance

— 747 — Small Business Administration established a new role for the Office of Advocacy: “to facilitate greater consider- ation of small business economic issues during international trade negotiations.”14 This small office has been relatively effective over the years—and more produc- tive during periods when a strong Chief Counsel for Advocacy has been installed to utilize the Office of Advocacy’s authority aggressively to provide a check on regulatory overreach. The office is one of the bright spots within the SBA that a conservative Administration could supercharge to dismantle extreme regulatory policies and advance limited-government reforms that promote economic freedom and opportunity. Currently, the SBA’s four core functions include: l Access to capital. SBA maintains assorted financing and lending programs for small businesses, from microlending to debt and equity investment capital. l Entrepreneurial development programs. SBA provides “free” or low- cost training at more than 1,800 locations and through online platforms and webinars. l Government contracting support programs. Through goals established by the SBA for federal departments and agencies, the broader goal is to ensure that small businesses win 23 percent of prime contracts. l Advocacy. This independent office within the SBA works to ensure that federal agencies consider small businesses’ concerns and impact in rulemakings. The office also conducts small-business research. BUDGETARY FLUCTUATION SBA’s budget and programs have expanded significantly under some Admin- istrations and have been scaled back under others. President Ronald Reagan cut the SBA’s budget by more than 30 percent, and his annual budgets regularly pro- posed to eliminate the agency altogether.15 Under President George W. Bush, SBA Administrator Hector Barreto said that SBA’s goal was “to do more with less,”16 but this changed because of Hurricane Katrina and a surge in disaster funding. In 2016, President Barack Obama considered streamlining and combining SBA programs and other business-related agencies and programs under one entity at the U.S. Department of Commerce, but opposition within the small-business lobby in Washington scuttled the effort.17 In general, SBA budget fluctuations have been driven by several factors such as efforts by Administrations either to cut or to greatly expand programs, the need to boost disaster assistance because of economic or weather-related events, business — 748 — Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise loan credit subsidy costs, and miscellaneous program “enhancements” to support small businesses through economic challenges or circumstances. As noted by the Congressional Research Service: Overall, the SBA’s appropriations have ranged from a high of over $761.9 billion in FY2020 to a low of $571.8 million in FY2007. Much of this volatility is due to significant variation in supplemental appropriations for disaster assistance to address economic damages caused by major hurricanes and for SBA lending program enhancements to help small businesses access capital during and immediately following recessions. For example, in FY2020, the SBA received over $760.9 billion in supplemental appropriations to assist small businesses adversely affected by the novel coronavirus (COVID- 19) pandemic.18 The CRS further notes that “[o]verall, since FY2000, appropriations for SBA’s other programs, excluding supplemental appropriations, have increased at a pace that exceeds inflation.”19 In terms of current loan volume, the SBA “reached nearly $43 billion in fund- ing to small businesses, providing more than 62,000 traditional loans through its 7(a), 504, and Microloan lending partners and over 1,200 investments through SBA licensed Small Business Investment Companies (SBICs) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022.”20 The agency’s total budgetary resources for FY 2022 amount to $44.25 billion, which represents 0.4 percent of the FY 2022 U.S. federal budget.21 HISTORY OF MISMANAGEMENT Throughout its history, various SBA programs and practices have generated negative news headlines and scathing Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Inspector General (IG) reports that have centered on mismanagement, lack of competent personnel and/or systems, and waste, fraud and abuse.22 From the 8a program23 to Hurricane Katrina24 to the more current COVID-19 (EIDL) program and PPP lending program,25 the SBA has managed to maintain its lending role even when repeated system failures have affected its distribution of funds. Congress has been somewhat responsive, pressuring the SBA to clean up fraud-related matters within its COVID-19 lending and grant programs.26 Repub- licans in the U.S. House of Representatives have gone farther, specifying that the SBA needs to improve transparency and accountability and deal with mission creep, the expansion of unauthorized programs, and structural and reporting deficiencies that have allowed mismanagement and fraud to reoccur, largely through massive supplemental appropriations.27 The SBA is led by an Administrator (currently a member of the President’s Cabinet) and a Deputy Administrator. Senate-confirmed appointees include

Showing 3 of 5 policy matches

About These Correlations

Policy matches are calculated using a hybrid approach: initial candidates are found using semantic similarity between bill summaries and Project 2025 policy text, then an AI model (Llama 3.1 70B) provides detailed alignment ratings and analysis. Ratings range from 1 (minimal alignment) to 5 (very strong alignment). This analysis does not imply direct causation or intent.

Full Policy Text

Related Bills

Other Bills by Rep. Davids, Sharice