Roger Williams

COVID Fraud Transparency Act of 2026

COVID Fraud Transparency Act of 2026 This bill requires the Small Business Administration's Office of Inspector General to report quarterly to Congress about fraud cases involving certain COVID-19 loans (e.g., Paycheck Protection Program loans). The report must include the number and total dollar amount of such loans, number of new cases of fraud and suspected fraud, number of fraud cases resolved, and types of such cases of fraud. The reporting requirements terminate two years after this bill is enacted.

Bulletproof Law Enforcement Vehicles Act

The Department of Homeland Security would be allowed to use federal funding to help pay for security upgrades to vehicles, such as reinforced doors, bulletproof glass, or other protective features. This would apply to vehicles used by government agencies, law enforcement, or other organizations that receive homeland security assistance. The change aims to improve the safety of people who rely on these vehicles for their work.

Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act

Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act This bill increases the maximum loan amounts available to small manufacturers under the Small Business Administration's 7(a) and 504 loan programs. In particular, the bill generally doubles the maximum loan amount for small manufacturers under the 7(a) program and the bill increases the maximum loan amount for small manufacturers under the 504 program from $5.5 million to $10 million. Generally, 7(a) loans provide short- and long-term working capital which can be used for expenses such as operational needs. 504 loans provide financing for major fixed assets such as new facilities.

Expressing support for the designation of July 15, 2026, as "Glioblastoma Awareness Day".

The resolution would officially recognize July 15, 2026, as a national day to raise awareness about glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer. This designation would encourage people, organizations, and government agencies to educate the public about the disease, its symptoms, and available treatments. The recognition aims to support patients and families affected by glioblastoma and promote research efforts to combat this serious illness.

Merger Process Review Act

Merger Process Review Act This bill requires the appropriate Office of the Inspector General (OIG) that serves the Federal Reserve Board, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the National Credit Union Administration to periodically review the merger applications received by that regulator. Specifically, every three years, the appropriate OIG must examine that regulator’s merger approval procedures, including timeliness and efficiency, and report on its findings and recommendations. The regulator must then submit a plan to implement the appropriate recommendations.

Put America on Commission Act of 2026

The bill would establish a new federal commission to study and make recommendations about how to improve American commerce and trade practices. The commission would likely examine issues affecting businesses, workers, and consumers, then report its findings to Congress to guide future policy decisions. This affects companies involved in trade, workers in commerce-related industries, and potentially consumers who buy goods and services.

Main Street Parity Act

Main Street Parity Act This bill lessens the financing requirements for certain Small Business Administration loans to small businesses for plant acquisition, construction, conversion, or expansion, including the acquisition of land. Specifically, the bill reduces the amount of equity a borrower must provide by 5% of the total cost for loans for limited or single-purpose properties.

Safer Schools Act of 2025

Safer Schools Act of 2025 This bill establishes a pilot program through which the Department of Justice must award grants to public elementary and secondary schools to conduct independent facility security risk assessments and make hard security improvements (e.g., video monitoring and alert notification equipment).

Merchant Banking Modernization Act

Merchant Banking Modernization Act This bill requires financial holding companies to be allowed to hold merchant banking investments for a minimum of 15 years. Currently, financial holding companies are generally prohibited from holding interests in nonfinancial companies, however, there are statutory exemptions for merchant banking activities—financial services for private commercial entities. As a result of these financial services, the financial holding company may gain equity in these private commercial entities through portfolio holdings. Under current regulations, these holdings are subject to certain limitations, including a holding limit of 10 years, with the option of extending the period subject to review by the Federal Reserve Board.

To extend the SBIR and STTR programs, and for other purposes.

This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program, and related pilot programs. The SBIR and STTR programs are administered by various federal agencies and provide competitive awards for domestic small businesses to conduct research and development projects that have the potential for commercialization.

Blue Shield Privacy Act of 2025

The bill would establish new privacy protections and rules for how law enforcement agencies can collect, use, and share personal information about people. It likely aims to limit government surveillance practices and give individuals more control over their data when dealing with police and federal agencies. The measure would affect both law enforcement operations and the privacy rights of everyday citizens.

China Financial Threat Mitigation Act of 2025

China Financial Threat Mitigation Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury, in consultation with specified federal financial agencies, to report on the exposure of the United States to the activity of China's financial sector. The report must include the effects that risks in China's financial sector have on U.S. and global financial systems, a description of the policies the United States is adopting to protect U.S. financial stability, a description and evaluation of the reliability of Chinese economic data, and recommendations for additional actions to strengthen international cooperation to mitigate risks and protect U.S. interests.

Expressing the approval of Congress for the 72d anniversary celebration of the Small Business Administration and in recognition of America's entrepreneurs and job creators for their important contributions to the United States economy.

Congress would formally recognize and celebrate the 72nd anniversary of the Small Business Administration, acknowledging the role that small business owners and entrepreneurs play in creating jobs and strengthening the American economy. This is a symbolic measure that honors the contributions of small business operators across the country rather than creating new laws or programs. The resolution has been sent to the House Committee on Small Business for consideration.

Equal Shot Act of 2025

The legislation would require federal agencies to set aside a portion of government contracts for small businesses owned by women, minorities, and veterans, giving these entrepreneurs a better chance to compete for federal work. It aims to increase diversity in federal contracting and help disadvantaged business owners grow by guaranteeing them access to a share of the billions of dollars the government spends on goods and services each year. The bill would affect federal agencies, small business owners, and potentially the prices and quality of goods and services the government purchases.

Securities Research Modernization Act

Securities Research Modernization Act This bill allows a securities broker or dealer to publish or distribute a research report on a proposed public offering by any issuer without it being considered an offer to sell securities for purposes of registration requirements. Currently, only reports published or distributed regarding a proposed public offering by an emerging growth company fall under this exception.

Fuel Emissions Freedom Act

This bill would likely reduce or eliminate environmental regulations on fuel emissions, giving companies more flexibility in how much pollution their vehicles or fuel products can release. The changes would affect automakers, oil refineries, and other industries that produce or use fuel, while potentially impacting air quality and environmental standards that currently limit greenhouse gases and other pollutants.

Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025

Connecting Small Businesses with Career and Technical Education Graduates Act of 2025 This bill requires Small Business Development Centers and Women's Business Centers to provide educational information to small businesses about hiring graduates of career and technical education programs. This includes, as appropriate, connecting small businesses with career and technical education programs to assist students and graduates of such programs with identifying career opportunities.

Expressing support for the designation of July 16, 2025, as "Glioblastoma Awareness Day".

This resolution supports the designation of Glioblastoma Awareness Day. Glioblastoma is a malignant brain tumor.

Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2025

Small Business Advocacy Improvements Act of 2025 This bill expands the primary functions and additional duties of the Office of Advocacy of the Small Business Administration to include (1) examining the role of small businesses in the international economy, and (2) representing the views and interests of small businesses before foreign governments and international entities to contribute to regulatory and trade initiatives that may affect small businesses.

Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act

Assisting Small Businesses Not Fraudsters Act This bill prohibits individuals convicted of certain financial crimes from receiving assistance from the Small Business Administration (SBA). Specifically, the bill prohibits individuals who have been convicted of a crime involving financial misconduct or a false statement with respect to certain COVID-19 loans (e.g., Paycheck Protection Program loans, Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants, and Shuttered Venue Operators grants) from receiving any financial assistance from the SBA (other than a disaster loan). The prohibition includes SBA assistance to small businesses that have an owner, officer, director, or key employee who has been convicted of such a crime.

Operation Lone Star Reimbursement Act

This bill would reimburse Texas for costs it spent on Operation Lone Star, a state-led immigration enforcement effort along the Texas-Mexico border. The reimbursement would cover expenses like deploying National Guard troops and law enforcement to address illegal border crossings and related activities. The bill aims to have the federal government help pay for border security operations that Texas undertook on its own.