Advocacy

U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship
Testimony of Connie Evans on behalf of AEO regarding the Re-Authorization of the SBA’s Access to Capital Programs – April 3, 2019
AEO is leading the charge of championing microbusiness interests in the halls of government.
Representing 91% of all businesses, microbusinesses are vital to the health of the U.S. economy. AEO’s policy agenda focuses on the development of strong and effective microbusiness initiatives to assist underserved entrepreneurs in starting, stabilizing, and expanding their businesses.
On behalf of our members, we work closely with policymakers at the national level on Capitol Hill and in the Administration to ensure the availability of capital and technical assistance to entrepreneurs around the country. We also collaborate with state microenterprise associations, local agencies and other industry stakeholders on our advocacy efforts.
Click below to learn more about the tenets of our advocacy agenda. For an overview of AEO’s 25+ years of advocacy achievements, click here.
Why It’s Important
Staying informed about topics that impact microbusiness – directly and indirectly – is an essential part of contributing to their success. As the Voice of Microbusiness, it is our responsibility to ensure your voice is heard.
Check back here frequently for the latest Policy News and join our email list to receive our weekly newsletter as well as special Action Alerts.

Policy News
The Association For Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) Applauds the Latest Historic Investment into the Nation’s CDFI Community
JUN. 15, 2921—WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, Vice President Kamala Harris, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) announced the implementation of the first round of the Jobs and Neighborhood Investment Act (learn...
Webinar Recap – AEO Discussion with SBA on Restaurant Revitalization Fund
Earlier today, AEO held a webinar discussion with the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration and Special Guests from the Office of Capital Access about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund.
Policy News – April 29, 2021
Wednesday morning, President Biden announced the American Families Plan, which includes significant spending in education, child care, and paid family leave. The $1.8 trillion plan, largely financed by new taxes, sets aside $225 billion for child care, $200 billion...
Policy News – April 22, 2021
The Minority Business Resiliency Act of 2021 was introduced this morning to expand and make permanent the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), initially created by Executive Order in 1969. Led by Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair...
Policy News – April 15, 2021
Bills of Interest Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D-OH-9) introduced a bill to establish the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Innovation Policy and strategic national manufacturing policy for the United States, to provide manufacturing and industrial perspective and advice...
Policy News – April 8, 2021
The U.S. Small Business Administration will officially open the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG) application portal tomorrow, April 8, 2021 at 12 p.m. EDT for operators of live venues, live performing arts organizations, museums and movie theatres, as well as...