The Bill
Small businesses without other options may now be able to secure federally-backed loans covering technology needed for their day-to-day operations, thanks to Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA-3). Scott voted yes on the Small Business Technological Advancement Act on June 24, joining a broad bipartisan majority in the House to pass the measure.
The bill would allow the Small Business Administration to use its 7(a) loan program, its primary small business lending tool, to help small businesses pay for software and cloud computing services. That includes tools for payroll, human resources, sales, accounting, and inventory tracking. Artificial intelligence business tools would also qualify. Currently, such technology expenses are not covered under the program.
The bill was introduced in February 2025 by Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO-4) and cleared the House Small Business Committee 23-0 before reaching the floor.
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The Vote Breakdown
The House vote on the Small Business technology legislation was about as lopsided as they come. Both parties' leadership backed the bill. The bill passed 414-4, with 205 Republicans and 208 Democrats voting in favor. The only opposition came from four Republicans. Scott voted in line with his Democratic colleagues; zero Democrats broke from the party position.
Scott represents Virginia's 3rd Congressional District (covering parts of the Hampton Roads and Richmond areas) and has served in the House since 1993. He has missed just two votes this Congress.
Wednesday's floor vote on the member of Congress technology legislation was not a close call for either side of the aisle. The bill now moves to the Senate, where an identical bill, S.305, has already been introduced.
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