15 U.S.C. § 661 (COMMERCE AND TRADE)
§ 661. Congressional declaration of policy
It is declared to be the policy of the Congress and the purpose of this chapter to improve and stimulate the national economy in general and the small-business segment thereof in particular by establishing a program to stimulate and supplement the flow of private equity capital and long-term loan funds which small-business concerns need for the sound financing of their business operations and for their growth, expansion, and modernization, and which are not available in adequate supply: Provided, however, That this policy shall be carried out in such manner as to insure the maximum participation of private financing sources.
It is the intention of the Congress that the provisions of this chapter shall be so administered that any financial assistance provided hereunder shall not result in a substantial increase of unemployment in any area of the country. It is the intention of the Congress that in the award of financial assistance under this chapter, when practicable, priority be accorded to small business concerns which lease or purchase equipment and supplies which are produced in the United States and that small business concerns receiving such assistance be encouraged to continue to lease or purchase such equipment and supplies.
(Pub. L. 85–699, title I, § 102, Aug. 21, 1958, 72 Stat. 689; Pub. L. 102–366, title IV, § 416, Sept. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 1019.)
heading: Editorial Notes
heading: References in Text
text: This chapter, referred to in text, was in the original “this Act”, meaning Pub. L. 85–699, which enacted this chapter, amended sections 77c, 77ddd, 80a–18, 633 and 636 of this title, and sections 217 [now 212], 218 [now 213], 221 [now 216], 657, 1006 and 1014 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, repealed section 352a of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and enacted notes set out under this section and section 352a of Title 12. Sections 212 and 213 of Title 18, as renumbered by Pub. L. 87–849, were subsequently repealed. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out below and Tables.
heading: Amendments
text: 1992—Pub. L. 102–366 inserted at end “It is the intention of the Congress that in the award of financial assistance under this chapter, when practicable, priority be accorded to small business concerns which lease or purchase equipment and supplies which are produced in the United States and that small business concerns receiving such assistance be encouraged to continue to lease or purchase such equipment and supplies.”
heading: Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
heading: Short Title of 2026 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 119–92, § 1, May 19, 2026, 140 Stat. 825, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 662 and 683 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Investing in All of America Act of 2025’.”
heading: Short Title of 2018 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 115–371, § 1, Dec. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 5106, provided that: This Act [amending section 696 of this title] may be cited as the “Small Business Access to Capital and Efficiency Act” or the “Small Business ACE Act”.
Pub. L. 115–333, § 1, Dec. 19, 2018, 132 Stat. 4488, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 662, 681, and 687 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Spurring Business in Communities Act of 2017’.”
Pub. L. 115–187, § 1, June 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 1489, provided that: “This Act [amending section 683 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Opportunity Act of 2017’.”
heading: Short Title of 2004 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 108–232, § 1, May 28, 2004, 118 Stat. 649, provided that:“This Act [amending section 697e of this title] may be cited as the ‘Premier Certified Lenders Program Improvement Act of 2004’.”
heading: Short Title of 2001 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 107–100, § 1, Dec. 21, 2001, 115 Stat. 966, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 636, 683, 687d, 687e, and 697 of this title, section 1833a of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and section 1014 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 636, 683, and 697 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Company Amendments Act of 2001’.”
heading: Short Title of 2000 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(8) [§ 1(a)], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–653, provided that: “This section [enacting part B of subchapter III of this chapter, amending section 683 of this title, section 109 of Title 11, Bankruptcy, and section 1464 of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 631 of this title] may be cited as the ‘New Markets Venture Capital Program Act of 2000’.”
Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(9) [title III, § 301], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–684, provided that: “This title [enacting section 697g of this title, amending sections 695 to 697 and 697e of this title, enacting provisions set out as a note under section 697g of this title, and repealing provisions set out as a note under section 697e of this title] may be cited as the ‘Certified Development Company Program Improvements Act of 2000’.”
Pub. L. 106–554, § 1(a)(9) [title IV, § 401], Dec. 21, 2000, 114 Stat. 2763, 2763A–690, provided that: “This title [amending sections 662, 682, 683, and 687b of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Corrections Act of 2000’.”
heading: Short Title of 1999 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 106–9, § 1, Apr. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 17, provided that: “This Act [amending sections 662, 683, 687, and 687m of this title and provisions set out as notes under this section and section 631 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Improvement Act of 1999’.”
heading: Short Title of 1994 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 103–403, title V, § 501, Oct. 22, 1994, 108 Stat. 4198, provided that: “This title [enacting section 697f of this title and provisions set out as a note under section 697f of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Prepayment Penalty Relief Act of 1994’.”
heading: Short Title of 1992 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 102–366, title IV, § 401, Sept. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 1007, provided that: “This Act [probably means “This title”, amending this section and sections 662, 682, 683, 685 to 687, 687b, and 687l of this title, enacting provisions set out as notes under this section and sections 681 and 687b of this title, and amending provisions set out as a note under section 631 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Equity Enhancement Act of 1992’.”
heading: Short Title of 1988 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 100–590, title II, § 201, Nov. 3, 1988, 102 Stat. 3007, provided that: “This title [amending sections 694b and 694c of this title and enacting provisions set out as notes under section 694b of this title] may be cited as the ‘Preferred Surety Bond Guarantee Program Act of 1988’.”
heading: Short Title of 1972 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 92–595, § 1, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1314, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 687i and 687j of this title and amending sections 80a–18, 633, 636, 662, 681, 683, 684, and 686 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Act Amendments of 1972’.”
heading: Short Title of 1967 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 90–104, title II, § 201, Oct. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 269, provided that: “This title [amending sections 681, 682, 683, 684, 686, 687, 687b, and 692 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Act Amendments of 1967’.”
heading: Short Title of 1966 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 89–779, § 1, Nov. 6, 1966, 80 Stat. 1359, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 687e, 687f, 687g, and 687h of this title and amending sections 633, 671, 687, 687a, 687b, and 687c of this title, and sections 5315 and 5316 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Act Amendments of 1966’.”
heading: Short Title of 1964 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 88–273, § 1, Feb. 28, 1964, 78 Stat. 146, provided: “That this Act [enacting section 687d and amending sections 682, 686, and 687 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Act Amendments of 1963’.”
heading: Short Title of 1961 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 87–341, § 1, Oct. 3, 1961, 75 Stat. 752, provided: “That this Act [enacting sections 687a, 687b, and 687c of this title, amending sections 633, 662, 681, 683 to 687, and 696 of this title, and enacting provisions set out as notes under sections 631 and 686 of this title] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Act Amendments of 1961’.”
heading: Short Title of 1960 Amendment
text: Pub. L. 86–502, § 1, June 11, 1960, 74 Stat. 196, provided: “That this Act [amending sections 662, 681, 682, and 684 of this title, and section 26–610 of the District of Columbia Code, 1973 edition] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Act Amendments of 1960’.”
heading: Short Title
text: Pub. L. 85–699, title I, § 101, Aug. 21, 1958, 72 Stat. 689, as amended by Pub. L. 106–9, § 2(d)(3), Apr. 5, 1999, 113 Stat. 18, provided that: “This Act [enacting this chapter, amending sections 77c, 77ddd, 80a–18, 633 and 636 of this title, and sections 217 [now 212], 218 [now 213], 221 [now 216], 657, 1006 and 1014 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, repealing section 352a of Title 12, Banks and Banking, and enacting notes set out under this section and former section 352a of title 12] may be cited as the ‘Small Business Investment Act of 1958’.”
heading: Regulations
text: Pub. L. 102–366, title IV, § 415, Sept. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 1018, provided that:
“Notwithstanding any law, rule, regulation or administrative moratorium, except as otherwise expressly provided in this Act [probably means “this title”, see Short Title of 1992 Amendment note above], the Small Business Administration shall—
“(1) within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act [Sept. 4, 1992], publish in the Federal Register proposed rules and regulations implementing this Act and the amendments made by this Act; and
“(2) within 180 days after the date of enactment of this Act, publish in the Federal Register final rules and regulations implementing this Act, and enter such contracts as are necessary to implement this Act and the amendments made by this Act.”
heading: Effect of Small Business Equity Enhancement Act of 1992 on Securities Laws
text: Pub. L. 102–366, title IV, § 418, Sept. 4, 1992, 106 Stat. 1019, provided that: “Nothing in this Act [probably means “this title”, see Short Title of 1992 Amendment note above] (and no amendment made by this Act) shall be construed to affect the applicability of the securities laws, as that term is defined in section 3(a)(47) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [15 U.S.C. 78c(a)(47)], or any of the rules and regulations thereunder, or otherwise supersede or limit the jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the authority at any time conferred under the securities laws.”