The Bill
Small businesses small businesses that can't get affordable credit on their own could now use government-guaranteed loans to modernize their technology operations, thanks to Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA-1). Wittman voted June 24 to pass the Small Business Technological Advancement Act, a bill that would allow small businesses to use federally backed loans to pay for software and cloud computing services, including tools powered by artificial intelligence. The bill passed in the House with overwhelming bipartisan support.
The bill expands the Small Business Administration's existing 7(a) loan program. This is the agency's primary lending vehicle for small businesses. If the bill passes the Senate, the program would cover business software and cloud-based services. That includes tools for payroll, accounting, human resources, sales, and inventory tracking.
The bill was introduced in February 2025 by Rep. Mark Alford (R-MO-4) and cleared the House Small Business Committee unanimously, 23-0, before reaching the full House floor.
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The Vote Breakdown
The final tally wasn't close. 205 Republicans voted yes, with just four voting no; Democrats backed it 208-0. Wittman voted with his party's majority.
Wittman has represented Virginia's first Congressional District since December 2007, making him one of the longer-serving members of the Virginia delegation. His district covers the Northern Neck, the Middle Peninsula, and parts of the Hampton Roads region, which are areas home to a large number of small businesses and military installations. Wittman has missed 16 votes during this Congress, but June 24's wasn't one of them.
The bill will now pass into the Senate.
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