Husted joins bill to encourage creation of small businesses

“Ohio is the best state in the nation to start and grow a business, and this bill will give more entrepreneurs a path to success.” WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Sens. James Lankford (R-Okla.) and Chris Coons’ (D-Del.) in introducing the bipartisan New Opportunities for Business Ownership and Self-Sufficiency (NO BOSS) Act to support individuals as they pursue small business ownership. The bill would strengthen the underutilized Self-Employment Assistance (SEA) Program by reducing barriers for states to participate and encouraging broader use of the program. “Ohio is home to more than 1.1 million small businesses, and they are the backbone of our state’s economy. This legislation will help more Americans achieve the dream of owning a small business by creating a stronger pathway from unemployment to self-employment. Ohio is the best state in the nation to start and grow a business, and this bill will give more entrepreneurs a path to success,” said Husted. “If you lose your job, the government shouldn’t tell you the only way forward is to go work for somebody else. Some folks have a business idea they’ve been dreaming about for years, and losing a job might be the push to finally chase it. Right now, an outdated federal rule forces people on unemployment to spend their time applying for jobs they don’t want instead of building the business they do want. Our bill fixes that. If you’re willing to put in the work to start a business, hire your neighbors, and build something in your community, we should cheer you on, not stand in your way,” said Lankford. “Every small business began with someone taking a chance on a new idea, and new AI tools will make it easier than ever to turn those ideas into business plans, sales, and storefronts. Americans shouldn’t have to choose between the safety net of unemployment benefits that they’ve paid into and the all-American opportunity to chase their entrepreneurial dream. As artificial intelligence reshapes the nature of work, this bill will help support American entrepreneurs, keep food on families’ tables, lift up small businesses, and keep our economy strong,” said Coons. Reps. Mike Carey (R-Ohio) and Greg Landsman (D-Ohio) are leading the companion version of the No BOSS Act in the U.S. House of Representatives. The No BOSS Act passed the House unanimously on April 29, 2026. “Small businesses and pioneering entrepreneurs are the engine of our economy, but making the leap from unemployment to self-employment is risky. Americans shouldn’t be forced to choose between unemployment insurance and working on their next big idea. This bill makes it easier to start and sustain a small business, and I am proud to once again lead this effort,” said Carey. “This is a real unique opportunity to help unemployed individuals start a business with dignity. By making commonsense changes to the program, we can empower entrepreneurship and give people who are passionate about building a business the support they need to make it a reality,” said Landsman. Background: The SEA Program is designed to encourage unemployed individuals to start their own businesses. Unlike traditional Unemployment Compensation (UC), SEA participants can utilize weekly payments towards getting their small business off the ground. Only five states have active SEA programs for UC claimants as of 2025 (Delaware, Mississippi, New Hampshire, New York and Oregon). As of 2022, Oregon and New York had the largest SEA programs with 390 and 1,005 participants, respectively. The NO BOSS Act would improve use of the SEA program by making common-sense changes to the program, many modeled after the program’s highly successful implementation in Oregon. The bill would remove the “likely to exhaust benefits” provision, which prevents many unemployed workers from participating in this program and implies that entrepreneurship should only be for those who are unlikely to find any other job. Additionally, the legislation would clarify that a state-approved business plan and market feasibility study could serve as an alternative requirement to entrepreneurship training. This builds on Husted’s work to support small businesses. In the Senate, Husted is supporting the: Made in America Manufacturing Financing Act : This bill would expand access to growth capital for small U.S.-based manufacturers. Investing in All of America Act: This bill would expand access to capital for small businesses in rural and low-income communities, as well as those in the manufacturing and critical technology sectors. AI for Mainstreet Act: This bill would provide training, guidance and support to American small businesses looking to implement AI into their businesses. Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act: This bill would eliminate the requirement for small businesses to report beneficial ownership information to the Treasury Department, which is burdensome and overreaching. Full text of the bill is available here .