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119-s-3171119th CongressWALLET

Veteran Entrepreneurship Empowerment Act

Sponsored By: Senator Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would cut upfront fees and lower equity requirements to lower barriers to capital for veterans and their spouses seeking SBA-backed loans. It also broadens who counts as a veteran or spouse and requires the SBA to publish data on veteran participation in lending and mentorship programs.

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  • Veteran and spouse-owned small businesses: The SBA could not charge guarantee fees on 7(a) or certain Small Business Investment Act loans made to veteran- or spouse-owned firms when the deferred participation share is $1,000,000 or less. The definition of eligible veterans expands to include Transition Assistance Program participants, reserve members, spouses, and surviving spouses.
  • Startups and change-of-ownership borrowers: The bill requires at least a 5 percentage point reduction in minimum equity injection for eligible 7(a) loans with deferred participation of $1,000,000 or less. Under the Small Business Investment Act changes, a 5 percent minimum equity injection applies in specified startup and other cases.
  • SBA transparency and outreach: The SBA must collect and publish participation data for covered persons in 7(a) and title V programs and include veteran participation in SCORE, small business development centers, women’s business centers, and Veteran Business Outreach Centers in budget materials.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Lower SBA loan costs for veterans

If enacted, the bill would lower some loan costs and upfront capital rules for veteran- and spouse-owned small businesses. For SBA 7(a) loans, up-front guarantee fees would be barred when the deferred participation share is $1,000,000 or less and the loan is not made under paragraph 36 or 37. For SBA development company financing, ongoing guarantee fees would stop for SBA-made loans of $1,000,000 or less. Startup and change-of-ownership 7(a) loans to covered veterans would see the minimum equity injection cut by at least 5 percentage points under SOP 50 10 v8 (effective June 1, 2025). The bill would also set a 5% minimum equity injection rule for many development company projects for businesses two years or younger. The SBA would be told to encourage lenders to lower equity requirements. The bill would expand who counts as a "veteran or spouse" to include TAP-eligible people, certain reserve members, their spouses, and qualifying surviving spouses.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]

MA • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 11/10/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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