What Happened
Bipartisan Agreement Revives Key Pentagon Funding Tool
The Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee has reached a bipartisan agreement to reauthorize the Small Business Innovation Research program, a key tool used by the Pentagon to fund small businesses developing new technologies. The bill, known as the Small Business Innovation and Economic Security Act, includes reforms aimed at safeguarding technology from Chinese influence and promoting competition among small businesses. The program’s lapse had slowed or paused defense-focused projects, but the reauthorization is expected to revive funding and support for small businesses and startups in the defense industry. The agreement was first reported by Breaking Defense.