House Unanimously Passes Bill to Expand SBA Outreach to Tribal Entrepreneurs

This evening, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed the Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act. Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ) is part of a bipartisan coalition seeking to codify the Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) within the Small Business Administration (SBA) by adding it to the Small Business Act.

Last Congress, Rep. Crane partnered with Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) on the legislation, which passed the House with strong bipartisan support. Although the legislation ultimately stalled in the Senate, the representatives reintroduced the bill earlier this year, alongside Reps. Jake Ellzey (R-TX) and Kelly Morrison (D-MN).

Tribal entrepreneurs who run businesses on reservations face complex hurdles related to tax implications, property rights, regulatory burdens, and lending. Accessing SBA programs should be straightforward, yet these communities often do not receive adequate outreach. Given the significant bureaucratic hurdles largely created by the federal government, it's critical to provide specialized assistance in navigating the unique challenges of running a business on a reservation.

By codifying the ONAA into the Small Business Act, this legislation improves congressional oversight of the office's activities and effectiveness going forward while also outlining its responsibilities. This includes establishing a working relationship with Tribal groups by targeting SBA programs related to entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access.

"I'm proud to be part of the bipartisan coalition working to improve and expand SBA outreach to Tribal communities. As the representative of over half of Arizona's Tribes, I'm focused on solutions to help expand economic growth throughout rural Arizona," said Rep. Crane. "I'm grateful to Rep. Davids for her leadership, as well as Reps. Ellzey and Morrison for their support of this important bill. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to quickly take up and pass this measure."