Kelly Loeffler, the new administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA), announced recently that the agency charged with supporting the businesses that are the backbone of the US economy would no longer be approving loans to small business owners unless they are US citizens. Never mind that Pew Research reports that 85% of US small business owners are white and 76% are men. To renew its taxpayer funding, this entity would be required to report to Congress through its existing small business committees. Non-profits that serve small businesses (the US Chamber of Commerce, the National Federation of Independent Businesses) would have influence. If we want it to truly serve small businesses, we need to rethink how it’s structured – before it becomes just another agency that reflects politics more than purpose.

Source: The Guardian March 22, 2026 19:29 UTC