:

Ernst Says Democrats Stalling On New SBIR Bill

By Cal Biesecker

Tuesday, September 9th, 2025

SHARE:

Ernst Says Democrats Stalling On New SBIR Bill

Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa).

As the fiscal year deadline approaches for reauthorizing a federal program that provides seed funds to small businesses developing products that have potential benefit to the government and commercial sector, the lead Republican senator of a new bill for the program says she wants the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program reformed but that Democrats have been unwilling to negotiate. Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst (R) in March introduced the INNOVATE Act (S. 853), which would better defend against Chinese influence…

Congress

Senate Appropriators Press On Supplemental’s Requests Beyond Iran Scope, Hegseth Urges Full Funding

Senate appropriators have pressed Pentagon leadership on the decision to include funds in the Iran war supplemental request for items beyond the current military operation, while Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth […]

Congress

House Republicans’ Blueprint For Reconciliation 3.0 Includes $60 Billion For Defense

House Republicans on Wednesday unveiled a blueprint for a third reconciliation bill that includes $60 billion for defense, a figure slightly below the Trump administration’s request to cover Iran war […]

Congress

Senate Dems Block Consideration Of FY ‘27 NDAA Over Iran War Concerns

Senate Democrats on Tuesday blocked a vote to advance consideration of the chamber’s $1.14 trillion fiscal year 2027 National Defense Authorization (NDAA). The procedural vote was 46-50, failing to reach […]

Congress

Concerns Raised At SASC Hearing On Unobligated Reconciliation Funds And Lack Of Updates On Iran War Cost

Members of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) raised concerns at a hearing on Tuesday about the majority of funds in the $153 billion first reconciliation bill being unobligated thus […]