U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, has called on Shalanda Young, the Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget (OMB), to prioritize small businesses in the Administration's Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Request. In a letter addressed to Director Young, Senator Shaheen emphasized the importance of supporting small businesses and ensuring their continued growth and success.

Small businesses have demonstrated remarkable resilience in recent years, particularly in the face of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite these hardships, small businesses remain a driving force behind the American economy. Senator Shaheen stressed the need for sufficient funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to enable it to continue its vital work in supporting the nation's 33.2 million small businesses.

As Chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Shaheen highlighted several key areas that require particular attention and investment in the FY 2025 Budget Request. These include the need for adequate staffing and resources in SBA district offices, which serve as critical communication and support channels for small businesses.

Senator Shaheen also emphasized the importance of supporting SBA's entrepreneurial development ecosystem, which includes Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs), Women's Business Centers (WBCs), SCORE volunteers, and Veterans Business Outreach Centers (VBOCs). These resource partners provide counseling services and training to small business owners and entrepreneurs. The senator expressed disappointment at the proposed funding cut for SBDCs in FY 2024, stressing the effectiveness of the program and the significant impact it has on small businesses.

The State Trade Expansion Program (STEP) was another area highlighted by Senator Shaheen. Designed to help small businesses expand their international markets, STEP has proven to be an effective and efficient use of funding. Senator Shaheen called for full funding of $30 million for STEP in FY 2025, recognizing the importance of supporting small businesses in accessing foreign markets and fostering long-term economic growth.

The Office of Inspector General (OIG) within the SBA also received attention in Senator Shaheen's letter. The senator commended the office's impressive results in uncovering fraud and ensuring the integrity of SBA programs. She urged the inclusion of appropriate funding for OIG in the President's annual Budget Request, allowing it to expand its work and fully investigate those who took advantage of SBA's COVID loan relief programs.

Lastly, Senator Shaheen highlighted the continued need for funding to support the COVID Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program. With almost 3.6 million loans to be serviced during FY 2023 and FY 2024, adequate funding is crucial to ensure the program's ongoing success in providing economic relief to small business owners and entrepreneurs.

In closing, Senator Shaheen expressed her gratitude for Director Young's support of America's small businesses and entrepreneurs. She emphasized the importance of prioritizing small businesses in the FY 2025 Budget Request and called for the necessary funding to enable the SBA to continue its essential work in supporting the growth and success of small businesses across the country.

Source: [Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship](https://www.sbc.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2023/12/shaheen-urges-the-white-house-office-of-management-and-budget-omb-to-prioritize-small-businesses-in-their-fy25-budget-request)

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