| Reps. Allen and DeSaulnier Reintroduce the Startup ActShare on Facebook Share on X Print this Page Share by EmailWashington, March 14, 2025Today, Congressmen Rick W. Allen (GA-12) and Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) introduced the Startup Act, bipartisan legislation that would support American entrepreneurs by expanding access to programs that offer training and resources to individuals seeking to start their own business. Upon the bill’s introduction, Reps. Allen and DeSaulnier issued the following statements: “Having built and grown my own small business from the ground up, I know how difficult and demanding that process can be. With over seven million unfilled jobs across the country, Congress must lead the way in connecting entrepreneurs with the resources they need to build successful businesses, create jobs, and bolster the U.S. economy. Through the Startup Act, we can eliminate barriers to entrepreneurship and empower more hardworking individuals to achieve the American Dream. I thank Rep. DeSaulnier for joining me in this effort and am hopeful we can send this critical legislation to President Trump’s desk,” said Congressman Allen. “As a former restaurant owner, I know firsthand the joys and challenges of running a small business,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill with Congressman Allen to increase access to the support and resources entrepreneurs need to help their business thrive and remain the engines of our local economies.” “At Make Startups, we’ve helped thousands of entrepreneurs and proven that building a business is one of the most effective ways to create jobs — not just for the founder, but for their community. Yet too often, our workforce systems create barriers instead of pathways for aspiring entrepreneurs. We’re grateful for Congressman Allen’s leadership in reintroducing the Startup Act to help unlock the full potential of entrepreneurship as a driver of economic growth in communities across the country,” said Eric R. Parker, AIA, Cofounder & CEO of Make Startups. BACKGROUND: The Startup Act would amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2014 (WIOA), inserting language to incorporate entrepreneurial skills development training into the current system. Furthermore, the bill authorizes the Department of Labor (DOL) to conduct a three-year, multi-state study to review the outcomes of these programs and report its findings to Congress. During the 118th Congress, the Startup Act was included in the bipartisan Stronger Workforce for America Act, which was advanced by the Education and Workforce Committee. |