Military Spouse Entrepreneurship Act of 2025
Summary
The Military Spouse Entrepreneurship Act of 2025 aims to support military spouses in starting, running, and growing small businesses. It directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program or extend an existing one to provide assistance, including online services and mentorship. The Act also mandates a survey to identify barriers faced by military spouse entrepreneurs and requires a report to Congress on the survey's findings.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase the number of successful small businesses owned and operated by military spouses. It will also provide resources and support tailored to the unique challenges they face. The survey and report will inform future policy and program development.
Potential Benefits
- Provides targeted assistance to military spouses, who often face unique challenges in entrepreneurship due to frequent relocations and deployments.
- Offers remotely accessible online services, increasing accessibility for geographically mobile military families.
- Encourages partnerships with organizations supporting military spouse entrepreneurship, leveraging existing expertise and resources.
- Requires a survey to identify specific barriers, ensuring the program addresses the most pressing needs.
- Potentially stimulates economic growth by fostering new small businesses.
Potential Disadvantages
- The effectiveness of the program depends on the SBA's implementation and the extent to which the program is adequately funded.
- The survey and report add administrative burden and may delay the program's implementation.
- The Act relies on partnerships with external organizations, which may introduce variability in the quality and availability of assistance.
- There is no guarantee that the outreach program will effectively reach all eligible military spouses.
- The Act does not address potential issues related to licensing and regulatory compliance across different states, which can be a significant hurdle for relocating military spouses.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill aligns with the Constitution's general welfare clause (Preamble) by promoting economic opportunities for military families. Congress has the power to enact laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers (Article I, Section 8), and supporting military families can be seen as related to national defense. No specific constitutional conflicts are apparent.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).