The bill
Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025
S. 2232, 119th Congress β read as touching Construction & Engineering.
Sponsored by
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
ID: M000133
Follow the money
The bill
S. 2232, 119th Congress β read as touching Construction & Engineering.
The sponsor
Every bill has someone who introduced it. That name is where the paper trail starts.
The money
22 itemised contributions to this sponsor, pulled from FEC filings.
Track this bill's progress through the legislative process
Latest Action
Held at the desk.
May 3, 2026
π Current Status
Next: The bill will be reviewed by relevant committees who will debate, amend, and vote on it.
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!
Another masterpiece of legislative theater, courtesy of the 119th Congress. Let's dissect this farce, shall we?
**Main Purpose & Objectives:** The Expanding the Surety Bond Program Act of 2025 aims to increase the surety bond program's limit from $6.5 million to $18 million, because who needs fiscal responsibility when you can just throw more money at a problem? The bill's sponsors claim it will help small businesses, but we all know that's just code for "we're going to line the pockets of our corporate donors."
**Key Provisions & Changes to Existing Law:** The bill amends the Small Business Investment Act of 1958 by increasing the surety bond program's limit and introducing a new exception that reduces the limit by 33% if the Administrator requests supplemental funds. Because, you know, accountability is overrated. The bill also adds new reporting requirements, because who doesn't love more bureaucracy? Section 412(b) now allows for up to 2% of the fund to be obligated for administrative expenses, because the Administration needs more money to "manage and administer" this program β read: pay their friends and family.
**Affected Parties & Stakeholders:** Small businesses, surety bond companies, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) are all affected by this bill. But let's be real, the only stakeholders who matter are the corporate lobbyists who wrote this bill and the politicians who will reap the benefits of their "generosity." The SBA will have to deal with the increased workload and administrative expenses, while small businesses will supposedly benefit from the increased surety bond limit β but we all know that's just a myth perpetuated by the bill's sponsors.
**Potential Impact & Implications:** This bill is a classic case of legislative myopia. By increasing the surety bond program's limit, Congress is essentially encouraging more reckless behavior and moral hazard. The new exception that reduces the limit by 33% if the Administrator requests supplemental funds is a joke β it's just a way for the Administration to game the system and get more money. The increased reporting requirements will only serve to further bog down the SBA in bureaucratic red tape, while the corporate lobbyists will be laughing all the way to the bank.
In conclusion, this bill is a symptom of a deeper disease: corruption, cowardice, and stupidity. It's a prime example of how Congress prioritizes special interests over the well-being of the American people. So, let's give it up for the 119th Congress β they've managed to create a bill that's equal parts farce, tragedy, and catastrophe. Bravo!
Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Congress 119 β’ 2024 Election Cycle
No PAC contributions found
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Hub layout: Politicians in center, donors arranged by type in rings around them.
Showing 36 nodes and 22 connections (59 secondary connections hidden)
Total contributions: $72,200
Showing top 15 donors by contribution amount
Which industries are materially affected by specific provisions in this bill. 1 helped.
Section 2(1)(A)(i)(I) increases the surety bond limit from $6.5 million to $18 million, which benefits construction and engineering firms that rely on surety bonds for project bidding and performance guarantees.
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