The Investing in the American Dream Act, introduced by Senator Edward J. Markey on April 28, 2026, aims to expand eligibility for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to include small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by certain legally present, work-authorized non-U.S. citizens. This includes lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and individuals with specific deferred action statuses. The bill seeks to address recent SBA rules that restricted loan access for many noncitizen business owners, thereby supporting immigrant entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.
Supporters of the Investing in the American Dream Act argue that it will bolster the U.S. economy by enabling immigrant entrepreneurs to access essential capital for starting and expanding businesses. They highlight that immigrants own a substantial portion of employer firms and contribute significantly to job creation. By clarifying loan eligibility, the bill is seen as a step toward economic inclusivity and growth.
Critics of the bill contend that taxpayer-backed loan guarantees should be reserved for U.S. citizens and nationals. They express concerns that expanding eligibility to noncitizens could increase the risk of loan defaults and potential misuse of funds. Additionally, opponents argue that the bill might complicate the administration of SBA loans and divert resources from citizen-owned businesses.
There are no direct overlaps between Senator Edward Markey's top donors and the subject matter of the bill S. 4411, which pertains to small business loans. This suggests a low risk of direct financial conflict of interest. However, there is significant lobbying activity in the bill's policy area, with several entities lobbying via The McKeon Group, Inc. and others. The total disclosed lobbying expenditure related to this bill's policy area is $630,000. While these lobbying activities indicate interest in the bill's policy area, without more specific information about the lobbyists' objectives or connections to Senator Markey, it is not possible to definitively identify a conflict of interest. It is important for voters to be aware of this lobbying activity and to seek transparency about the lobbyists' objectives and any potential connections to lawmakers.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BAE, KIM & LEE, LLC | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $370,000 |
| MBK PARTNERS | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $150,000 |
| B. BRAUN MEDICAL INC. | POLSINELLI PC | $70,000 |
| VECTOR | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $40,000 |
| SOLUTION PHILIPPINES, LLC | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $40,000 |
| AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION | AMERICAN PHARMACISTS ASSOCIATION | $35,000 |
| D-WAVE GOVERNMENT, INC | THE MCKEON GROUP, INC. | $10,000 |
| NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF RSVP PROGRAM DIRECTORS | THE SUSQUEHANNA GROUP | $5,000 |
| ROWAN UNIVERSITY | ROWAN UNIVERSITY | undisclosed |
| STR8 CORPORATION | BRODY GROUP L.L.C. PUBLIC AFFAIRS | undisclosed |
| WEST GULF MARITIME ASSOCIATION | WEST GULF MARITIME ASSOCIATION | undisclosed |
| CENTRAL ADMIXTURE PHARMACY SERVICES, INC. | POLSINELLI PC | undisclosed |
| CARTRIDGE TECHNOLOGIES, LLC | CHECKMATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | undisclosed |
| BLUE DIAMOND ATOMICS | NATURAL STATE CONSULTING AND STRATEGIES | undisclosed |
| POPLICUS INCORPORATED DBA GOVINI | CHECKMATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Edward Markey, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
