Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)
Today, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) reintroduced her bipartisan Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act, legislation to strengthen the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Native American Affairs (ONAA) and expand support for Native entrepreneurs. The bill passed the House with strong bipartisan support in 2024 and advanced out of committee in the Senate in 2023, underscoring growing momentum to get it across the finish line.
Davids, an enrolled member of the Ho-Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, is one of the first two Native American women elected to Congress. To introduce this bipartisan legislation, she was joined by Representatives Eli Crane (R-AZ-02), Jake Ellzey (R-TX-06), and Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03).
“Our economy is stronger when small businesses can succeed — and in tribal communities, Native-owned businesses are often the backbone of local economies,” said Davids. “For too long, Native entrepreneurs have faced unnecessary barriers to accessing the tools and resources they need to grow, create jobs, and compete. This bipartisan bill strengthens dedicated tribal entrepreneurship programs so they can better meet those needs, and its strong, bipartisan support shows that investing in Native communities is something we can and should work on together.”
“I’m proud to again be part of this bipartisan coalition working to expand tribal communities’ access to and outreach from the U.S. Small Business Administration,” said Representative Eli Crane (R-AZ-02). “Although this legislation stalled in the Senate last Congress, it’s critical that we continue pushing for its passage. This is a good bill aimed at helping tribal citizens navigate the unique complexities of running a business on a reservation.”
WATCH: Davids speaks on the House floor about the importance of supporting Native entrepreneurs
Currently, the ONAA has a valuable but limited mission: to support Native American entrepreneurs, conduct outreach with tribal communities, and connect Native business owners with SBA resources. However, because the current SBA budget does not include explicit funding for the ONAA, the office can only support a small staff and can be unilaterally disbanded.
The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act would codify the ONAA into federal law, establishing an Assistant Administrator role to oversee its operations and report directly to SBA leadership. It would also create a better government-to-government working relationship with tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. ONAA would also be able to expand its grant-making ability, conduct tribal consultation, utilize SBA’s entrepreneurial and contracting programs, and provide training, counseling, and technical assistance.
“The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act is critical legislation for boosting economic development in tribal communities,” said Chris James, President and CEO, The National Center. “As a former Associate Administrator at SBA, I understand the need for Indian Country to have an advocate within the agency who has a direct line to the Administrator. The unique economic and entrepreneurial needs of our community – and government-to-government consultation – must always be a priority at SBA. I look forward to working with Rep. Davids, Rep. Morrison, and other co-sponsors to ensure this legislation gets across the finish line in the 119th Congress. Its passage will mean Indian Country will have a seat at the head table in an agency that plays a critical role in supporting and growing tribal economies.”
“The Office of Native American Affairs provides important opportunities, support, and education to numerous Native owned businesses across the country. The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act will advance and move the office forward with stability to bolster economic development in Native communities,” said Jon Panamaroff and Haven Harris, Co-Chairs, Native American Contractors Association (NACA). “We applaud this legislation’s introduction and its emphasis on the office’s involvement with the 8(a) Business Development Program.”
Davids previously urged the U.S. Department of the Interior to recommit to enforcing a rule that levels the playing field for Native businesses seeking federal contracts. Davids’ additional work to support small business owners includes pushing for oversight of relief programs and urging the SBA to address fraud and protect small business owners in need. She has also focused on shoring up supply chains for small- and medium-sized manufacturers here at home and reducing operating costs.