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H.R. 3818: Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004

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H.R. 3818: Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004

108th Congress · introduced 2004-02-24 · International Affairs · Latest: Became Public Law No: 108-484.

federal

Follow this bill, step by step

  1. Where it came from: introduced 2004-02-24 · official record
  2. Who proposed it: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · what a sponsor is
  3. What happened next: no floor votes in our records yet. Why?
  4. Where it stands now: Became Public Law No: 108-484. (final step reached)
  5. If it becomes law and spends money: follow the money to money laws, then agencies and contracts and grants.

What does this mean?

Official title

Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004

Plain summary

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on November 20, 2004. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004 - (Sec. 3) Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to repeal existing microenterprise development grant authority and reestablish and revise it as a separate title, title VI - Microenterprise Development Assistance. Authorizes microenterprise development grant assistance in developing countries for: (1) expanding credit, savings, and other financial services; (2) training, technical assistance, and business development services; (3) capacity-building; and (4) policy and regulatory programs at the country level that improve the environment for microenterprise institutions serving the poor and very poor. Establishes the Office of Microenterprise Development within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), to be headed by a Director capable in both microenterprise development leadership and technical expertise. Requires assistance to emphasize the use of implementing partner organizations meeting high standards of efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability and that especially provide the greatest possible resources to the poor and very poor. Requires the Office, in order to ensure that grant assistance is distributed effectively and efficiently, to also seek to implement a program of central funding under which assistance is administered directly by the Office. Targets 50 percent of microenterprise assistance for very poor clients (individuals living in the bottom 50 percent below a country's poverty level). Requires the assistance monitoring system to meet certain performance standards. Directs USAID, by April 1, 2005, to develop and certify for use at least two poverty measurement methods for partner organization use, which shall be used by such organizations no later than October 1, 2006. (Sec. 4) Transfers to this title authority for the: (1) microenterprise and small enterprise development credit program; and (2) United States Microfinance Loan Facility. (Sec. 6) Directs the Administrator to report annually on implementation of this title. Defines specified terms.

Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment), quoted unchanged (nonpartisan). Read the source.

What a vote does

A “Yea” vote

If it passes both chambers and is signed, it becomes law.

A “Nay” vote

If it is not passed, current law stays as it is.

PSI Sci description of the legislative step (not an opinion).

What does this mean? (plain words)

Official text

Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004

Source: Congressional Research Service summary (Passed Senate without amendment)

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The strongest published arguments

Arguments for (supporters)

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Arguments against (opponents)

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Alternatives

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How did my representative vote? · This bill's floor votes

Officials and money

Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] · 81 cosponsors

Cost estimate: CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3818, Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004 (2004-03-04); CBO cost estimate: H.R. 3818, Microenterprise Results and Accountability Act of 2004 (2004-03-04)

Cosponsors on this site

Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Adam Smith (D-WA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Rick Larsen (D-WA), Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY), Joe Wilson (R-SC) and 21 more.

Sponsor's campaign money: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4] reported raising $797,217 (2025–2026). Details. Shown for context only; it does not mean any donor supported this bill.

No linked floor roll calls in our collected records yet. This does not mean the bill has never had a vote. Check the official bill history.

Sources

Record fed-us-cong108-hr3818 · catalog fed-us-congress-bills-cong108 · updated 2026-11-15 by psicol fed-bills-cong108