PASSED: Davids’ Bipartisan Bill to Boost Native American Entrepreneurs Passes U.S. House

Today, the U.S. House unanimously passed Representative Sharice Davids’ (D-KS-03) bipartisan Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, legislation to strengthen the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) and expand support for Native entrepreneurs.

Davids, an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, is one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. To introduce this legislation, she was joined by Representatives Eli Crane (R-AZ-02), Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06), and Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03).

"Native entrepreneurs are creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and building opportunities in their communities, but too often they face barriers that make it harder to succeed," said Davids. "This bipartisan bill ensures Native business owners have a permanent advocate within the Small Business Administration and better access to the tools they need to grow. I'm proud to see it pass the House, and I'll keep working to get it signed into law."

WATCH: Davids speaks on the House floor about the importance of supporting Native entrepreneurs

Currently, the ONAA has a valuable but limited mission: to support Native American entrepreneurs, conduct outreach with tribal communities, and connect Native business owners with SBA resources. However, because the current SBA budget does not include explicit funding for the ONAA, the office can only support a small staff and can be unilaterally disbanded.

The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act would codify the ONAA into federal law, establishing an Assistant Administrator role to oversee its operations and report directly to SBA leadership. It would also create a better government-to-government working relationship with tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. ONAA would also be able to expand its grant-making ability, conduct tribal consultation, utilize SBA’s entrepreneurial and contracting programs, and provide training, counseling, and technical assistance.

“The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act is critical for boosting economic development in tribal communities,” said Chris James, President and CEO, The National Center. “As a former Associate Administrator at SBA, I understand the need for Indian Country to have an advocate within the agency who has a direct line to the Administrator. Codifying the Office of Native American Affairs and establishing an Assistant Administrator position at SBA is essential so that Indian Country always has a seat at the head table in an agency that plays a critical role in supporting and growing tribal economies. The unique economic and entrepreneurial needs of our community – and government-to-government consultation – must always be a priority at SBA. The National Center thanks Reps. Davids, Crane, Ellzey, and Morrison for their continued leadership and looks forward to working with them to ensure this bipartisan legislation becomes law in the 119th Congress.”

“The SBA’s Office of Native American Affairs is essential to the agency providing opportunities, support, and education to Native owned businesses across the country and advising the Administrator on programs and policies that impact Native communities. The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act lends further stability to bolster Tribal and Native economies,” said Jon Panamaroff and Haven Harris, Native American Contractors Association (NACA) Co-Chairs. “The House’s passage of this legislation marks an important step forward, with the included emphasis on the office’s involvement with the 8(a) Business Development Program, and we urge the Senate to do the same without delay.”

Davids has also taken multiple actions to ensure the U.S. Department of the Interior is enforcing a rule that levels the playing field for Native businesses seeking federal contracts. Davids’ additional work to support small business owners includes pushing for oversight of relief programs and urging the SBA to address fraud and protect small business owners in need. She has also focused on shoring up supply chains for small- and medium-sized manufacturers here at home and reducing operating costs.