WASHINGTON, D.C. (Jan. 16, 2026) – NFIB President Brad Close joined NFIB’s “Small Business Rundown” podcast to share NFIB’s new list of ways Congress can take action to support small businesses in 2026. Close discusses the current state of small business and victories in 2025. He also explains several federal legislative priorities including credit card swipe fee competition, affordable health care, repealing the Beneficial Ownership reporting law, and reining-in lawsuits funded by foreign, third-party investors.

Listen to this episode of the Small Business Rundown podcast here or on NFIB’s website.

NFIB President Brad Close said: 

“Last year, Congress actually did pass a huge tax bill right before July 4, and this tax bill made permanent many provisions that small business owners care about. The first and foremost one was the 20% Small Business Deduction that applies to businesses that are organized as pass-throughs…this allows them to keep much more of their hard-earned money in their business. We heard from many members who said this provision allows them to hire more, increase benefits, do more in their community, buy new equipment, buy new land so they can expand the business or a put a new building in – whatever it is, they keep more of their own hard-earned money in the business [instead of] sending it to Washington, D.C. Making this permanent was a huge victory for the smallest of businesses out there.”

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“Our hope is that Congress continues to listen to small business owners across the country and put forth policies that are really going to help them keep more money in their business, help them grow, and serve their communities. That’s what we really want to see in 2026.”

For more information on the issues that matter most to NFIB small business members, view NFIB’s Small Business Legislative Priorities for 2026 here, or visit NFIB’s website to learn how to take action.