"We have been working hard [with the House] to reach a fair compromise that will reauthorize and strengthen the SBIR and STTR programs and that will guarantee that these programs remain for truly small businesses," she said in a statement. The version that passed the Senate recently reauthorizes the programs for eight years while capping awards for start ups that are majority-owned and controlled by multiple venture capital firms. The House bill extends the programs for only two years and places fewer restrictions on the allocation of funds. A 2003 ruling made small businesses that receive substantial funding from venture capitalists ineligible for the programs.