Small Business RELIEF Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 6215
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Commerce
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-24T09:05:52Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Small Business RELIEF Act (H.R. 6215) aims to protect small businesses from financial burdens caused by import duties imposed under a national emergency. It exempts small businesses from these duties and provides refunds for any duties already paid, promoting fairness for local importers during economic challenges.
Key Provisions
- Exemption from Duties: Import duties established by Executive Order 14257 (issued under the national emergency declared on April 2, 2025) do not apply to goods imported by or for small businesses.
- Refunds: The President must refund all duties paid under the executive order for small business imports, with refunds issued within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
- Definition of Small Business Concern: Refers to the standard definition in the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632), which generally includes independently owned businesses with limited employees and revenue, varying by industry.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill modifies the application of Executive Order 14257 by carving out an exception for small businesses, effectively overriding the duties for this group. It introduces a refund mechanism not present in the original order, shifting from a uniform duty imposition to a targeted relief policy. No broader changes to the Small Business Act or emergency powers are made.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the executive branch will need to process exemptions and refunds, potentially reducing tariff revenue and requiring administrative adjustments to import tracking systems.
- On Citizens: Small business owners, particularly importers, will benefit from cost savings and refunds, easing financial strain from the emergency duties and supporting local economies.
- On International Relations: If the duties relate to trade restrictions (e.g., tariffs on foreign goods), exemptions could soften U.S. trade enforcement, possibly affecting negotiations with trading partners, though the bill's narrow focus limits widespread diplomatic shifts.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Small Businesses: Primary beneficiaries, especially those involved in importing goods, as they gain exemptions and refunds to maintain competitiveness.
- Federal Government: The executive branch (President and agencies like Treasury and Customs) handles implementation; Congress asserts oversight through this legislation.
- Larger Importers and Competitors: May face relatively higher costs without exemptions, potentially altering market dynamics in favor of small businesses.
- U.S. Taxpayers: Indirectly impacted via reduced government revenue from duties, which could influence federal budgeting.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill uses congressional authority to limit executive actions under a national emergency, reinforcing that legislation can supersede executive orders. Refunds create enforceable obligations on the President, subject to judicial review if not fulfilled.
- Constitutional: Highlights the balance of powers, as Congress checks presidential emergency declarations (authorized under the National Emergencies Act). No direct constitutional challenges are raised, but it could set precedent for targeted relief in future emergencies.
- Political: Introduced by a bipartisan group of House members, it signals support for small business protections amid economic policy debates. Passage could influence future trade and emergency legislation, emphasizing equity for vulnerable sectors without altering the underlying emergency.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (32)
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4], Rep. Fields, Cleo [D-LA-6], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Goldman, Daniel S. [D-NY-10], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Tran, Derek [D-CA-45], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rescom. Hernández, Pablo Jose [D-PR-At Large], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Olszewski, Johnny [D-MD-2], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Subramanyam, Suhas [D-VA-10], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10], Rep. Ryan, Patrick [D-NY-18], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Williams, Nikema [D-GA-5], Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6]
Recent Actions
- 2025-11-20: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
- 2025-11-20: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Small Business Restoring Equity for Local Importers through Economic Fairness Act — issued 2025-11-20 — PDF (2 pages)