Congress appears ready to reauthorize the Small Business Administration’s Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer grant programs for three more years, Defense News reported. The programs popular within DOD are set to expire at the end of the month.

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), the top Republican on the Small Business Administration told Defense News he is withdrawing his opposition to the reauthorization after getting agreement on reforms. Paul had expressed concerns that some awardees had ties to China and that some used the award funding for operational costs instead of funding new innovations as intended.

Air Force photo by Olifant Medical