The House passed two small business bills by voice vote Wednesday that may spur technological innovation. The first, H.R. 3738, would create a new early-stage investment program and authorize equity investment financing for small businesses. The bill calls for participating financiers to invest at least half of the funds in early-stage small firms. "This proposal is very well targeted toward companies that drive American innovation and are working to help solve some of our nation's greatest challenges," said TechAmerica President Phil Bond. The second small business bill, H.R. 3014, would authorize $10 billion in loans to be guaranteed to small healthcare practices for access to health IT.