Why It Matters

The House Small Business Committee hearing represents a critical moment for U.S. manufacturing policy, with stakes extending across economic and security dimensions.

What’s at stake:

  • Supply chain resilience. COVID-19 exposed severe vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Congress is pushing to reduce dependence on foreign nations—particularly China—by onshoring critical manufacturing in pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and batteries.

  • Job creation and wage growth. Small and medium-sized manufacturers drive high-wage employment. Recent data shows over 100,000 manufacturing jobs announced in 2024, with projections of 500,000 additional jobs possible through reshoring. However, manufacturers face a critical skills gap—approximately 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030.

  • Access to capital. A diverse coalition—from NADCO advocating for SBA 504 loans to Biz2Credit supporting the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act—are lobbying to ensure small manufacturers can access financing. The SBA recently launched its first-ever Manufacturer’s Access to Revolving Credit (MARC) 7(a) Loan Program, but questions remain about whether capital reaches rural manufacturers.

  • Tariff policy tensions. While tariffs aim to protect domestic manufacturers, 62.5% of small businesses expect tariffs to increase production costs, creating policy conflicts.

    • Committee leadership under Chairman Roger Williams (R-TX-25) and Ranking Member Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-7) will shape policy impacting manufacturers from advanced battery technology to textiles.

    Broader Context

    The hearing arrives amid sustained bipartisan manufacturing revitalization efforts. The SBA’s Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, announced in March 2025, aims to cut $100 billion in regulations, while launching the first-ever MARC 7(a) Loan Program dedicated to American manufacturers.

    COVID-19 exposed supply chain vulnerabilities, catalyzing congressional push to "onshore" manufacturing. Rep. Daniel Meuser praised the SBA’s "Make Onshoring Great Again" portal, while Rep. Mark Alford called for policies that "cut dependence on China".

    Bipartisan momentum is evident: the Investing in All of America Act (H.R. 2066), co-sponsored by Rep. Meuser and Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI), passed the House Small Business Committee unanimously.

    The Agenda

    The hearing will feature testimony from small business owners, industry representatives, and federal officials focused on manufacturing revitalization. Expected witnesses likely include representatives from NADCO, fintech companies like Biz2Credit Inc., and sector-specific firms including Natron Energy Inc. (battery technology) and EMD Millipore Corp. (pharmaceuticals).

    Small business owners from textile manufacturers like Elegant Stitches Inc. and forest products companies like Lumber Manufactory Inc. will provide ground-level perspectives on capital access and regulatory challenges.

    Between The Lines

    Committee Leadership

    Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX-25), drawing on personal business experience, has established a deregulatory agenda focused on "unleashing Main Street." He championed the 1071 Repeal to Protect Small Business Lending Act, arguing that Dodd-Frank’s data collection mandate burdens lenders and entrepreneurs.

    Rep. Daniel Meuser (R-PA-9) co-sponsored the bipartisan Investing in All of America Act (H.R. 2066), which passed committee unanimously. Meuser noted that while the SBIC program provided over $8 billion in 2024, only a fraction reached rural areas.

    Rep. Beth Van Duyne (R-TX-24) has engaged deeply with federal manufacturing programs, meeting with NADCO on the SBA’s initiative and touring veteran-owned defense contractors.

    Legislative Landscape

    The Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act has significant industry backing from NADCO and Biz2Credit. Both bills underscore bipartisan interest in ensuring manufacturing revitalization reaches beyond major metropolitan centers to benefit small and medium-sized enterprises nationwide.

    Competitive Landscape

    A diverse coalition is actively lobbying on domestic manufacturing issues. NADCO leads efforts on the SBA Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, while Biz2Credit Inc. conducted extensive 2025 lobbying supporting the Made in America Manufacturing Finance Act.

    Sector-specific manufacturers represent emerging industries critical to reshoring. Natron Energy Inc. registered for battery technology interests, EMD Millipore Corp. advocated for domestic pharmaceutical manufacturing, and ByHeart Inc. lobbied for infant formula expansion.

    The Bottom Line

    The November 20 hearing reflects broad bipartisan momentum to strengthen domestic manufacturing through small businesses. Major corporate commitments—including Apple ($600B), TSMC ($165B), and Micron ($200B) in 2025—fuel reshoring optimism.

    Yet significant obstacles persist: 2.1 million manufacturing jobs could go unfilled by 2030 due to labor constraints, and 62.5% of small businesses expect tariffs to increase production costs. The hearing will likely focus on balancing regulatory relief and capital access against these headwinds to manufacturing revival.

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