Sen. Joni Ernst
The U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship on July 16 advanced two bills offered by U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) that aim to unleash domestic manufacturing and hold COVID criminals accountable.
“Republican leadership is unleashing growth across the country and making government more accountable to taxpayers,” Sen. Ernst said on Wednesday.
The committee approved the bipartisan Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act of 2025, S. 1555, which Sen. Ernst sponsored on May 1 with lead cosponsor U.S. Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE), and the SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act, S. 1199, which Sen. Ernst sponsored on March 27.
S. 1555 would increase loan limits for loans made to small manufacturers, according to the bill’s text.
“The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act builds upon the domestic manufacturing explosion under President Trump and gives small businesses access to the resources they need to make ‘Made in America’ the norm instead of the exception,” said Sen. Ernst. “Equally as important is making sure Washington responsibly uses each tax dollar like an entrepreneur looks after their budget.”
If enacted, the committee-approved S. 1199 would extend the statute of limitations for fraud under certain pandemic programs.
“After Biden’s bureaucrats were asleep at the wheel in pursuing billions in COVID fraud, my SBA Fraud Enforcement Extension Act ensures that justice will be carried out for criminals and stolen tax dollars will be recouped,” Sen. Ernst said.
Both measures now head to the full U.S. Senate for action.