Texas Border Business
WASHINGTON, D.C. – As small businesses in South Texas are struggling with labor shortages and higher costs, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, announced that his bipartisan bill, H.R. 4449, the Advocating for Small Business Act, advanced out of the U.S. House of Representatives. It was included in a wide-ranging legislative package called the Incentivizing New Ventures and Economic Strength Through Capital Formation (INVEST) Act and would specifically establish Offices of Small Business within each of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rulemaking divisions to make federal regulators more responsive and accessible to local entrepreneurs.
“Small businesses are the backbone of America and create two out of every three new jobs,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “Yet, far too often, these businesses face barriers when trying to access capital because the rules are designed with only large firms in mind. To strengthen South Texas’s economy and create jobs, we need to provide the same flexibility given to those on Wall Street. I’m elated that my bill was included in the INVEST Act and passed out of the House. Now, I urge the Senate to join us in delivering much-needed support to small business owners who are eager to reach their full economic potential.”
In July 2025, Congressman Gonzalez championed his bill before the House Financial Services Committee before it was reported favorably out for full consideration. The SEC is primarily responsible for enacting rules that both protect investors and help businesses raise capital. However, there is currently no dedicated office within the SEC that represents the best interests of small businesses during the rulemaking process.
Read the full bill text here.
