Connecting SBA to Main Street: Examining the SBA Office of Field Operations

The House Committee on Small Business held a hearing on March 19, 2026, titled "Connecting SBA to Main Street: Examining the SBA Office of Field Operations." The hearing focused on the Small Business Administration's (SBA) Office of Field Operations, which manages 68 district offices and 10 regional offices nationwide to provide small businesses with access to capital, counseling, and contracting opportunities. Associate Administrator Lisa Shempkut testified about efforts to relocate SBA staff from Washington, DC, to field offices to improve responsiveness and engagement with small businesses, including rural and veteran-owned businesses. She highlighted initiatives such as the Made in America manufacturing roadshow and the onshoring portal to strengthen domestic supply chains. However, members raised concerns about significant staffing cuts (up to 27% reductions), office relocations from sanctuary cities, and delays or withholding of congressionally appropriated grant funds to resource partners like SCORE and Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs). The associate administrator noted that some issues, such as grant funding delays, fall outside her office's purview. The committee discussed the impact of these staffing and funding challenges on small business services, disaster response, and outreach efforts. Several members requested commitments to restore staffing levels and improve communication with Congress. The hearing also addressed SBA's role in supporting small businesses affected by tariffs, rising costs, and regulatory burdens. No specific contract awards or procurement actions were detailed during the hearing, but policy decisions regarding office relocations and resource partner funding could influence future SBA procurement and service delivery.