WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 2, 2026) – In honor of America’s 250^th anniversary, NFIB President Brad Close published an op-ed in the Washington Examiner highlighting how Main Street businesses have both shaped and been inspired by the ideals, spirit, and economy of the United States since its founding. In celebrating the small business owners who embody the American Dream, Close also examines the modern issues that are impacting the nation’s small business entrepreneurs.

Close writes:

“Unlike Wall Street, Main Street businesses don’t have the armies of lawyers and accountants to make sense of the mandate mess, so the burden falls heaviest on them. Unreasonable government regulations rank among the 10 most severe problems for small business owners. Every day, the million-plus federal mandates decimate small businesses while preventing many others from ever springing to life.”

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“My organization hears from small business owners about excessive government burdens every day. It’s not just taxes and red tape. The cost of healthcare is another major concern, because small businesses typically pay more than big businesses. Federal and state workforce and labor mandates make it hard for Main Street to hire and grow. Small business owners aren’t looking for a handout — they just want the government to get out of the way and let them build, hire, and serve their communities.”

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“For 250 years, America has been built by small business owners making the most of ‘life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.’ The success of our next 250 years depends on small and independent businesses that continue to create opportunities by bringing these ideals to life for the benefit of all.”

Read the full op-ed here.