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Chairman Hill and Financial Institutions Subcommittee Chairman Barr Unveil Community Banking Package

Washington, January 7, 2026

House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02) and Subcommittee on Financial Institutions Chair Andy Barr (KY-06) released the Main Street Capital Access (“Main Street”) Act.

This community banking package will revitalize local bank formation and ensure that community lenders can focus on serving families, small businesses, and local economies, making life more affordable for Americans and empowering Main Street.

Chairman Hill said, “As a former community banker, I know and have seen firsthand the important role they serve to drive the economic engine of America and help Main Street grow and thrive. Over the past year, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions under Chair Barr’s leadership has worked tirelessly to examine outdated regulations, listen directly to small businesses, and confront barriers to access capital for small and mid-sized banks. I am proud to introduce the Main Street Capital Access Act with Chair Barr to reinvigorate our community banks and return commonsense back to Main Street.”

Subcommittee Chair Barr stated, “Community banks are the heartbeat of Kentucky’s economy. They power our small businesses, support our farmers, and help families achieve the American Dream. That’s why we must advance a regulatory framework that encourages growth and fuels economic activity on Main Street. I thank Chairman French Hill for his leadership and look forward to pushing this package across the finish line.” 

Click here for the text of the bill.

Click here for a one-pager.

Click here for a section-by-section.

Further Background:

During the 118th Congress, on November 14, 2024, Chairman Hill released a set of principles which outlined his vision for invigorating community banking in America.

The Committee has held several hearings on community banking.

  • On December 11, 2025, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions held a hearing entitled “Right-Sizing the U.S. Bank Capital Framework: A Return to Tailoring, Economic Growth, and Competitiveness.”  
  • On September 5, 2025, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions held a hearing entitled “Promoting the Health of the Banking Sector: Reforming Resolution and Broadening Funding Access for Long-Term Resilience.”  
  • On July 15, 2025, the Full Committee held a hearing entitled “Dodd-Frank Turns 15: Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead.”
  • On May 14, 2025, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions held a hearing entitled “Enhancing Competition: Shaping the Future of Bank Mergers and De Novo Formation.”
  • On April 29, 2025, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions held a hearing entitled “Regulatory Overreach: The Price Tag on American Prosperity.”
  • On February 5, 2025, the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions held a hearing entitled “Make Community Banking Great Again.”