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SCORE facing tough road ahead if SBA’s budget is cut

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2 months ago

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Small business advocates are sounding the alarm bells over the Small Business Administration’s fiscal 2026 budget request.

The White House is proposing to eliminate several long-standing programs that support the development of small business, including Women’s Business Centers and SCORE.

The administration released new details about its budget request on Friday showing SBA’s entrepreneurial development programs would see a reduction of more than 50% next year, receiving $150 million down from $317 million.

“The administration is committed to supporting small businesses throughout the United States through tax cuts, deregulation and responsible, targeted support. However, reforms at SBA are clearly warranted, as the previous administration unconstitutionally used the SBA to advance its divisive agenda, awarding billions in funding to certain businesses based solely on race and gender. Therefore, the Budget ends 15 specialized and duplicative programs, leaving only the Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) program,” the administration wrote in its May 2 “skinny” budget request. “Eliminated programs include, ‘Women’s Business Centers’ and SCORE, which in 2023 posted ‘Six Ways to Support LGBTQIA-Owned Businesses,’ and provided resources based on race. SBDCs would be directed to provide any of the appropriate services previously offered by the eliminated programs in a manner that is consistent with the administration’s priorities.”

The administration says, instead, the SBDC would receive a $10 million in crease to ensure small firms continue to receive technical assistance.

Bridget Weston, the CEO of SCORE, which is a 501(c)(3) organization and a resource partner with the SBA, said a cut to SCORE would have a severe impact on small businesses and force the organization to dramatically change how it meets its mission.

Bridget Weston is the CEO of SCORE.

“What that means is that if this administration’s proposed budget does come to fruition, the SCORE program would not have the sustainable funds from the federal government to operate as it has for the past 60 years, and that would mean that small businesses go unserved with the mentoring and education that helps them survive and thrive,” Weston said in an interview with Federal News Network. “It would mean that we’re unable to continue to help these businesses start, add jobs, stay in business and increase their revenue. I know the administration believes how important small businesses are to this country’s economy, and everything we can do to give them the support they need to succeed is paramount to the success of the entire nation. So we are hopeful that we can continue to speak to others, speak to Congress, get the word out so that people understand the importance of SCORE and the Small Business Administration to those small businesses who are vital to this economy.”

Weston said SCORE receives about 70% of its $24 million operating budget from the SBA with the other 30%, or about $7 million, coming from local grants and donations.

A group of business executives founded SCORE in 1964 and Congress codified it as part of the Small Business Act.

Today, Weston said about 10,000 volunteers provide free business mentoring and education to anyone looking to start or grow a business. She said SCORE serves, on average, about 300,000 small business owners or those looking to start a company each year across more than 340 chapters.

“The dollars go to helping raise awareness about this program, so that people know that we are there and can help them. It goes to recruiting, onboarding and certifying our mentors that are available across the country and supporting the systems that support them, the technology that connects them to the client, the technology that brings the content that supplements that excellent, best in class mentoring, the ability for our mentors to connect with each other and bring in resources across the country,” she said. “Those dollars really do standup this organization, help us to have that incredible impact. I mean, last year alone, SCORE helped to start over 53,000 new businesses and add over 84,000 jobs. That’s huge.”

Potential contractors would be impacted

This isn’t the first time there was a move to reimagine SCORE. A 2023 bill by Senate Republicans sought to rebrand the SCORE program as “Supporting Coaching Opportunities for Resilient Entrepreneurs,” and would launch a National Women’s Business Coach program as part of SCORE. The SCORE Act never got out of committee, though it did receive a hearing. It didn’t have a House companion bill.

Weston said defunding SCORE would hurt small businesses who are trying to get into the federal contracting space too.

“Unfortunately, the statistics of failure are pretty high for small business owners, 20% in the first year, 50% after five years, and with the support of mentoring, educational resources, frankly, having someone with you along that journey that is there to help you succeed, we know these small businesses are more successful and frankly, returning dollars back to the government,” she said. “For every $1 appropriated to score, $45 is returned back from those small businesses in federal tax revenue. So it makes sense all the way around.”

The SCORE board of director is starting to plan for “what if” scenarios and how they could keep the organization going.

In the meantime, Weston said SCORE and its volunteers are trying to educate lawmakers on the value of the mentoring and services the organization provides.

“We do believe that these federal dollars are impactful and making a difference and making a return on the investment that the federal government gives to us. And like we would tell any of the small businesses, we need to make sure that we have various scenarios to pursue, because I truly believe that SCORE’s mission, our volunteers, the people that we serve, this will be sustained,” she said. “This will continue, how it looks, how we get our funding, that may have to change, depending on what Congress decides, but it is too important what we do. We are looking, with our board of directors, with our expert mentors, on various other ways that SCORE’s mission can be sustained, but I know that it will because I believe in the power of our mission, the power of our volunteers and helping entrepreneurs achieve their dreams.”

The post SCORE facing tough road ahead if SBA’s budget is cut first appeared on Federal News Network.

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GOP Senator John Thune Quietly BLOCKS Trump Recess Appointments with Sneaky Procedural Maneuver — Launches Series of Pro Forma Sessions to Keep Senate in Fake “Session” During August Recess

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11 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R‑SD) has unveiled a procedural scheme to block President Donald Trump from making any critical appointments during the August recess, effectively aiding the Democrats’ obstructionist agenda.

Under the U.S. Constitution, the president can make “recess appointments,” temporary appointments to federal positions, if the Senate is in recess and not conducting business. These appointments don’t require immediate Senate confirmation and can last until the end of the next session of Congress.

But there’s a loophole: if the Senate holds pro forma sessions, very short, symbolic meetings where no actual business is conducted, then technically, the Senate is still in session. That means the president cannot legally make recess appointments during that time.

John Thune has quietly secured unanimous‑consent for a paper‑thin Senate schedule through the Trump appointee confirmation deadline, ensuring only pro forma sessions on five key dates in early August.

Under the agreement, the chamber will adjourn after today’s business and reconvene without conducting any votes or business on:

  • Tue, Aug 5 – 1:00 p.m.
  • Fri, Aug 8 – 1:05 p.m.
  • Tue, Aug 12 – 8:00 a.m.
  • Fri, Aug 15 – 10:15 a.m.
  • Tue, Aug 19 – 10:00 a.m.
  • Fri, Aug 22 – 9:00 a.m.
  • Tue, Aug 26 – 12:00 p.m.
  • Fri, Aug 29 – 7:00 a.m.

WATCH:

Thune’s pro forma blueprint comes amid mounting pressure from Donald Trump, who has demanded the Senate remain open until all 150+ administration nominees are confirmed.

Under the Recess Appointments Clause, a president may only install nominees without Senate approval if both chambers are in formal recess for at least 10 days. By convening the Senate just long enough every few days, Thune blocks the possibility of Trump making unilateral appointees.

The Senate went into its August recess without confirming all of Trump’s pending judicial and district‑level appointments.

By the time lawmakers left town on Saturday evening, no deal had been reached to move dozens of Trump’s nominees, including U.S. district court picks, through final floor votes.

Only a small handful of nominees (such as Jeanine Pirro to be U.S. Attorney in D.C.) had advanced. Otherwise, nominees remained stalled in committees or waiting for cloture roll‑calls on the executive calendar.

Roughly 150–160 executive and judicial nominations, including over a dozen district court judges and U.S. attorney nominations, remained scheduled but unconfirmed.

The post GOP Senator John Thune Quietly BLOCKS Trump Recess Appointments with Sneaky Procedural Maneuver — Launches Series of Pro Forma Sessions to Keep Senate in Fake “Session” During August Recess appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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‘That’s What I Call Results!’: Trump Admin Saves Jobs, Kicks 1500 Non-English-Speaking Truckers Off the Road

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11 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy revealed that there have been about 1,500 truck drivers who do not speak English taken off the roads as part of a push to ensure foreign truck drivers are not causing accidents.

Back in 2016, the Obama administration stopped enforcing English proficiency requirements for truckers, according to a report from The Daily Signal.

But in May, Duffy issued a guidance making clear that truck drivers who cannot demonstrate a proficiency in English cannot drive.

The 1,500 drivers were taken off the roads within the first 3o days of the rules once more being enforced, according to The Daily Signal.

“Since I took action to enforce language proficiency requirements for truckers, our state partners have put roughly 1,500 unqualified drivers out of service. That’s what I call results!” Duffy posted on X.

“If you can’t read or speak our national language — ENGLISH — we won’t let your truck endanger the driving public.”

He added, “America First = Safety First.”

Duffy’s concerns were far from unfounded.

In January, there was a truck driver involved in a fatal crash that had to use a language interpreter for the post-crash investigation, according to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

Another incident from 2019 involved a truck driver who could not proficiently speak English speeding through signs that warned of steep grades and dangerous curves, all at more than 100 miles per hour.

Four people died in that crash, per the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

President Donald Trump had likewise insisted with an April executive order that the move centered on public safety.

“They should be able to read and understand traffic signs, communicate with traffic safety, border patrol, agricultural checkpoints, and cargo weight-limit station officers,” the order said of truck drivers.

They also “need to provide feedback to their employers and customers and receive related directions in English,” a position the order called “common sense.”

“It is the policy of my Administration to support America’s truckers and safeguard our roadways by enforcing the commonsense English-language requirement for commercial motor vehicle drivers and removing needless regulatory burdens that undermine the working conditions of America’s truck drivers,” the notice added.

“This order will help ensure a safe, secure, and efficient motor carrier industry.”

This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.

The post ‘That’s What I Call Results!’: Trump Admin Saves Jobs, Kicks 1500 Non-English-Speaking Truckers Off the Road appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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Slovenia Imposes Arms Embargo on Israel, Citing Gaza Conflict

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11 hours ago

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August 3, 2025

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via Wikimedia Commons

Slovenia has imposed an arms embargo on Israel, banning the export, import, and transit of weapons to and from the country.

This decision was announced by Prime Minister Robert Golob following a government session on July 31, 2025.

Slovenia claims to be the first European Union member to take such a step, citing the EU’s inability to act due to internal disagreements.

The government stated that no permits for military exports to Israel have been issued since October 2023, when the conflict in Gaza began.

Officials emphasized that the embargo is an independent measure to address the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Slovenia has repeatedly called for a ceasefire and increased aid deliveries to the region.

In early July 2025, Slovenia declared two Israeli ministers, Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, persona non grata, barring them from entry.

This action was based on their public statements regarding the conflict. Earlier, in June 2024, Slovenia recognized Palestinian statehood, joining countries like Ireland, Norway, and Spain in this move.

The conflict in Gaza started after the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas on Israeli territory, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and the taking of hostages.

Israel responded with a military operation aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure. Reports from Gaza’s health ministry indicate significant casualties, with ongoing international efforts to negotiate truces and provide aid.

Several other nations have taken similar diplomatic steps, including France, Britain, and Canada announcing potential recognition of a Palestinian state. Australia has also indicated that recognizing Palestinian statehood is under consideration.

Israel has criticized these declarations, arguing they could reward Hamas for its actions.

Israeli officials dismissed Slovenia’s embargo as insignificant, noting that Israel does not procure any defense materials from Slovenia.

An unnamed official stated that the country buys nothing from Slovenia, not even minor items.

Within the EU, there is growing pressure for measures against Israel, with Sweden and the Netherlands advocating for suspending parts of the EU-Israel Association Agreement.

The European Commission has proposed limiting Israel’s participation in the Horizon research program, though Germany opposes such steps.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul expressed concerns about Israel’s potential diplomatic isolation during a visit to Jerusalem.

The United States remains a key ally to Israel, with President Donald Trump warning that recognizing Palestinian statehood might benefit Hamas.

U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff recently met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advance Gaza truce talks. These efforts aim to address the humanitarian crisis and secure a ceasefire.

The post Slovenia Imposes Arms Embargo on Israel, Citing Gaza Conflict appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

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