NFIB's Duggan: Small Business and the New Congress

Date: May 03, 2017

Dear NFIB Member:

It’s hard to believe that summer is just around the corner and that a new Congress has been in place for more than four months. We added four NFIB members to the Congressional ranks this year, joining the 23 NFIB members who were already serving and strengthening the voice of small business in federal government.

NFIB has been working diligently with the new Congress. You’ve told us time and again that unreasonable government regulations, complex and high taxes, and the cost of health insurance are stifling your growth. And yet your success is critical to the success of the American economy.

I’m pleased to report that we’re making steady progress this year on these key issues. Here’s a closer look:

Regulations

Several regulations that impose heavy financial and compliance burdens on small business are getting rolled back, thanks in part to NFIB’s efforts. The Waters of the U.S. rule and the Clean Power Plan, both of which NFIB fought against in federal court, must be either rewritten or rescinded, per a recent executive order. 

Additionally, the sheer volume of regulations is being addressed. A new “two-out, one-in” rule calls on agencies to identify two regulations to eliminate if they want to pass a new one. Congress is also moving forward with new laws to give small businesses a stronger voice in the rule-making process. With the average small business spending nearly $12,000 a year per employee on regulatory costs, the successes in this area are welcome news.

How do regulations affect your business? We need to hear from you >>

Taxes

Should you pay a higher tax rate than Exxon Mobil? We don’t think so, and we know you agree. A level playing field between small firms and large corporations would provide the biggest boost to small business growth in decades. The tax reform plan recently released by the Trump administration calls for a single business tax rate of 15 percent for firms of every size and structure, including pass-through entities that currently file at the higher individual rate. That would be a dramatic improvement over the existing tax system, which strongly favors large corporations over small businesses. I have met with the President, the Treasury, and Congressional leaders to emphasize that real reform cannot focus only on large corporations. Our message is clear: Tax reform starts with small business.

Tell your representatives: Tax Reform Starts with Small Business >>

Healthcare

Healthcare reform is also a work in progress. Congress has yet to provide relief from some of the key issues with the Affordable Care Act, including sky-rocketing insurance premiums and limited choice of insurers. We are encouraged, however, that members of the U.S. House of Representatives continue to work on the issue. In fact, a vote could come as early as this week. We will keep pushing for a healthcare system that creates affordability, flexibility, and predictability in the insurance market.

Your experiences with healthcare are crucial to our work. Please tell us your story now >>

Supreme Court

Small business owners know that the Supreme Court is the last line of defense against regulatory overreach. NFIB is currently, and will be in the future, a plaintiff in major cases that likely will be decided by the Supreme Court. Newly appointed Justice Neil Gorsuch is a former federal judge who has challenged the Chevron Doctrine, which gives regulatory agencies vast deference to expand their own power. That’s one of many reasons why, through NFIB’s grassroots efforts, the small business community sent more than 8,000 messages of support to Congress, helping secure Gorsuch’s confirmation.

What’s Next?

Small business owners are excited about the future for the first time in a long time. For eight years, NFIB’s Small Business Optimism Index was generally below its four-decade average. The last few months, however, the index has skyrocketed and has remained near record levels. That goodwill can translate into new growth and jobs with the right health insurance, tax, and regulatory reforms. NFIB will be there to fight for you.

Please visit NFIB.com regularly for the most current information on these issues and other developments. In the meantime, thank you again for your membership and please contact our office with any questions or concerns.

Thank you.

Juanita D. Duggan, NFIB President and CEO

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