Why It Matters
Rep. Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-3) voted yes on June 24 on a bill that would make it easier for small businesses to borrow money to pay for software and technology tools, including artificial intelligence.
The Small Business Technological Advancement Act passed the House and was not a close call.
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What the Bill Does
The legislation would allow the Small Business Administration to use its flagship 7(a) loan program to finance software and cloud computing services for small businesses. That includes tools for payroll, accounting, human resources, sales, and inventory tracking. AI-powered business tools would also qualify.
The 7(a) program is the SBA's primary loan guarantee program, designed for small businesses that can't secure credit on standard terms.
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The House Vote
The House voted Wednesday, June 24, under a procedure called "suspension of the rules," which requires a two-thirds majority to pass. The bill cleared that bar comfortably.
The final tally: 205 Republicans voted yes, with just four voting no. All 208 Democrats who voted cast a yes vote. Elfreth voted with her party.
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Where the Bill Came From
H.R. 915 was introduced on February 4, 2025 by Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO-4). It was referred to the House Small Business Committee, which approved it unanimously (23 to 0) before heading to the full House floor.
An identical bill, S. 305, has also been introduced in the Senate.
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Elfreth's Record
The Maryland Democrat has missed just one vote this Congress, a 1% missed-vote rate. She did not break with her party on this vote.
Elfreth represents Maryland's 3rd Congressional District, which includes parts of Baltimore and Anne Arundel County.
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