On September 23, the House passed, 417-2, legislation (H.R. 3614) to extend through October 31 programs authorized under the Small Business Act (P.L. 109-316). On September 25, the Senate passed the bill, by unanimous consent, after striking the business stabilization and venture capital provisions. The current authorization (P.L. 111-43), which Congress passed in July, expires on September 30.
Programs authorized under the Small Business Act include the Women’s Business Centers and the Small Business Development Centers, among other provisions.