What threats to small businesses does the Combating Foreign Threats to Main Street Act address?

The bill addresses risks including intellectual property theft, cyberattacks, counterfeit goods and predatory investment practices. Rep. Roger Williams said small businesses often lack the resources or expertise to identify these threats and protect themselves.

US House passes bill to protect small businesses from foreign adversaries, including N. Korea

Q: What would the Combating Foreign Threats to Main Street Act of 2026 require the SBA to do?

The Small Business Administration would provide small businesses with information and guidance on identifying and responding to threats from foreign adversaries. It would also review its educational materials annually starting in October 2027.

Q: What happens next to the Combating Foreign Threats to Main Street Act after House passage?

The bill is subject to deliberation by the Senate. The House passed it on Wednesday.

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Summary

The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Combating Foreign Threats to Main Street Act of 2026 on Wednesday in Washington, seeking to help small businesses address economic and cybersecurity threats from foreign adversaries, including North Korea. The bill would require the Small Business Administration to provide guidance on identifying and responding to those threats. It now awaits deliberation by the Senate.

Key Facts

The legislation identifies intellectual property theft, cyberattacks, counterfeit goods and predatory investment practices as risks for businesses.
Rep. Roger Williams said small businesses are often especially vulnerable because they lack the resources or expertise to identify and protect themselves from these threats.
Starting in October 2027, the Small Business Administration would have to review its educational materials annually and notify relevant congressional committees about certain activities posing significant risks to U.S. economic or national security interests.

By Yonhap

Published Nov 13, 2026 7:25 am KST

The U.S. Capitol is seen Nov. 11 in Washington. AP-Yonhap

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill aimed at protecting American small businesses from economic and cybersecurity threats posed by foreign adversaries, including North Korea.

The House passed the Combating Foreign Threats to Main Street Act of 2026 on Wednesday, The bill would require the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide small businesses with information and guidance on identifying and responding to threats from foreign adversaries.

"China, Russia and North Korea are working to undermine our economic and national security, and American businesses are increasingly caught in the crosshairs," Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX) said during a House floor debate on Wednesday.

The legislation seeks to help businesses address risks such as intellectual property theft, cyberattacks, counterfeit goods and predatory investment practices. It now subject to deliberation by the Senate.

"While these threats affect businesses of every size, small businesses are often the most vulnerable, and they simply do not have the resources or expertise to identify these threats and protect themselves," Williams said.

Under the bill, the SBA would be required to review its educational materials annually starting in October 2027 and notify relevant congressional committees of certain activities posing significant risks to U.S. economic or national security interests.

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