AI FOR MAIN STREET ACT

On 2026-01-20, Representative Mark Alford (R-MO-4) delivered a floor speech titled "AI FOR MAIN STREET ACT" in the House. The speech addressed healthcare and also covered taxes, trade policy. It referenced legislation: HR5764.

AI FOR MAIN STREET ACT

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 20, 2026)] [House] [Pages H931-H932] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] AI FOR MAIN STREET ACT Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 5764) to amend the Small Business Act to require small business development centers to assist small business concerns with the use of artificial intelligence, and for other purposes, as amended. The Clerk read the title of the bill. The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 5764 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. This Act may be cited as the ``AI for Main Street Act''. SEC. 2. GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR SMALL BUSINESS CONCERNS. (a) In General.--Section 21(c)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(c)(3)) is amended-- (1) in subparagraph (T), by striking ``and'' at the end; (2) in the first subparagraph (U) (relating to encouraging and assisting the provision of succession planning), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; (3) by redesignating the second subparagraph (U) (relating to providing training in conjunction with the United States Patent and Trademark Office) as subparagraph (V); (4) in subparagraph (V), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and (5) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph: ``(W) assisting small business concerns in evaluating artificial intelligence concerning operations, including by-- ``(i) providing information, guidance, and training to small business concerns on the use of artificial intelligence, including-- ``(I) best practices for using artificial intelligence; ``(II) using artificial intelligence to plan for unexpected circumstances, protect data and intellectual property, improve cybersecurity, facilitate regulatory compliance, and improve customer trust; and ``(III) incorporating artificial intelligence into business operations; and ``(ii) conducting outreach to the extent practical to small business concerns regarding the use of artificial intelligence.''. (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: ``(gg) Artificial Intelligence.--In this Act, the term `artificial intelligence' has the meaning given such term in section 5002 of the National Artificial Intelligence Initiative Act of 2020 (15 U.S.C. 9401).''. SEC. 3. COMPLIANCE WITH CUTGO. No additional amounts are authorized to carry out this Act or the amendments made by this Act. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from [[Page H932]] Texas (Mr. Williams) and the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) each will control 20 minutes. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Texas. General Leave Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks and include extraneous material on the bill. The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the gentleman from Texas? There was no objection. Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of H.R. 5764, the AI for Main Street Act, introduced by Representatives Alford and Scholten. Artificial intelligence is increasingly being used to streamline operations, reduce costs, and boost productivity for small businesses. For many small businesses across the country, adopting these tools remains out of reach because they lack the staff, the expertise, or the capital to do so. {time} 1550 Madam Speaker, the AI for Main Street Act helps address this challenge by directing the SBA's Small Business Development Centers, or SBDCs, to assist small businesses in developing AI technologies into their operations. These centers operate in partnership with universities and community colleges across the country and are trusted advisers to local entrepreneurs. This approach builds on work already underway. In September 2024, America's SBDCs, in partnership with Google, launched America's SBDC AI U, which provides hands-on AI training, clinics, and technical assistance to small businesses. This bill builds on that effort by requiring the SBDC network to have a core duty to assist entrepreneurs nationwide in fighting AI in their businesses. As artificial intelligence becomes a core driver of productivity and competitiveness, Main Street cannot be left behind. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 5764, the AI for Main Street Act. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time. Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support the AI for Main Street Act, which would allow SBDCs to assist small business owners on how to evaluate artificial intelligence. I commend Mr. Alford and Ms. Scholten for working together on this bipartisan legislation. AI has the potential to boost productivity, enhance customer service, and save costs. While it is becoming increasingly common for small businesses to use AI to streamline their operations, many still do not know how to access it responsibly. If used incorrectly, AI could have disastrous consequences. That is why it is incredibly important for SBA and its entrepreneurial ecosystem to help small businesses understand the potential pitfalls and learn how to avoid them. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to support this bipartisan bill, and I reserve the balance of my time. Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume to the gentleman from Missouri (Mr. Alford). Mr. ALFORD. Madam Speaker, I rise today in strong support of our AI for Main Street Act. I thank Chairman Williams for his leadership. I also thank my colleagues on the other side of the aisle. Foremost, I recognize both Ranking Member Velazquez for her leadership and Congresswoman Hillary Scholten for working with me to bring this important bill forward. A lot of people are talking about AI these days. Will it overtake America? Will it put businessowners and workers out of business? This bill is designed to get ahead of that and to make sure that does not happen. In fact, it will increase businesses in America. This committee exists for one simple reason, and that is to champion Main Street and the small businesses that line our town squares, that power our farms, support our hospitals, and employ nearly half of the American workforce. Right now, Main Street stands at the doorstep of a major transformation because the AI revolution is not just coming. It is already here. Whether it is managing inventory, scheduling workers, marketing products, improving cybersecurity, or streamlining paperwork, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming how business gets done in America. If small businesses do not have the tools and guidance to adapt to that, if they are fearful of it, they risk getting left behind. They will get left behind by larger competitors with bigger budgets and in- house tech teams. By the way, they are also using AI. That is exactly what this bill addresses. The AI for Main Street Act directs Small Business Development Centers, SBDCs, to provide counseling, training, and outreach to help small businesses safely evaluate and adopt artificial intelligence tools. These centers already serve as trusted boots-on-the-ground advisers in communities across the country, such as the University of Missouri- Columbia and Sedalia and other places where these SBDCs are providing real help, real boots on the ground. Madam Speaker, entrepreneurs rely on them for practical guidance and real-world help that works for their businesses. This bill builds on existing efforts like America's SBDC AI U program and ensures that AI support is consistent, accessible, and nationwide. It is not just in major metro areas but in rural towns, manufacturing hubs, and agricultural communities like those I represent in Missouri's Fourth Congressional District. Just as importantly, this bill emphasizes responsible adoption. We want small business owners to understand not only what AI can do but how to use it securely, safely, ethically, and effectively. This is not about replacing people. It is about empowering people. It is about giving a family-owned business the same opportunity to compete and grow and innovate as a Fortune 500 company. I am proud of this legislation and how it advanced out of committee with strong bipartisan support. I appreciate the strong backing from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle who recognize that innovation and small business growth should never be partisan issues. At the end of the day, when Main Street succeeds, America succeeds. The AI for Main Street Act helps ensure that our entrepreneurs are not spectators in the next wave of innovation but our small business owners are leaders in this revolution. Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I commend the sponsors for working together on this important legislation to provide small businesses with the training they need. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, H.R. 5764 will directly give small businesses the AI resources and tools for SBDCs across this country. I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense legislation. Madam Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 5764, as amended. The question was taken. The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds being in the affirmative, the ayes have it. Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays

Referenced legislation: HR5764, HR5764