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Bipartisan Senators Rally to Save SBA's 8(a) Program

2/12/2026

29 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) lead a bipartisan effort to protect the Small Business Administration (SBA)'s 8(a) program from dismantling.
The Trump administration has criticized the program as rife with fraud.
They say the program is essential for Indigenous communities, including Native Hawaiians, and should not be dismantled because of isolated misconduct, such as Christopher Dawson, who allegedly misused funds.

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Story summary

Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) lead a bipartisan effort to protect the Small Business Administration (SBA)'s 8(a) program from dismantling.
The Trump administration has criticized the program as rife with fraud.
They say the program is essential for Indigenous communities, including Native Hawaiians, and should not be dismantled because of isolated misconduct, such as Christopher Dawson, who allegedly misused funds.