Get the latest on NFIB’s plans to advocate for small businesses this Congress
As a part of NFIB’s work to keep members up-to-date on important legislation and regulations under consideration by the federal government, last week the head of NFIB’s Federal Government Relations team hosted a webinar on the Congressional Outlook for Small Businesses. The webinar featured discussion of NFIB’s Small Business Growth Agenda, opportunities and challenges for small business that Congress is considering, expectations for upcoming legislation, and ways small business owners can get engaged to educate and influence legislators deciding on key small business issues.
Small Business Growth Agenda
During the first three months of the new congressional session, NFIB has conducted over 100 meetings with members of Congress to go over small business priorities from the Small Business Growth Agenda for the 118th Congress. This agenda goes over NFIB priorities based on NFIB research findings and recent member ballots. Kuhlman went over the top priorities of the agenda:
- Taxes
- Labor
- Regulations and regulatory reform
- Healthcare
- Competition
Congressional Outlook
In the webinar, Kuhlman discussed some of the opportunities and challenges in Congress on the forefront, as well as a look ahead at important dates to watch the remainder of the year. Some of the challenges the new Congress faces that Kuhlman pointed out are tax increases from the White House’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget proposal, IRS enforcement expansion, and burdensome regulations in a closely divided Congress. NFIB will remain proactive on issues that could potentially negatively impact small businesses.
“With every challenge comes an opportunity. I don’t anticipate many of those proposed tax increases to be on the menu immediately, but once they are proposed they are on the menu,” Kuhlman said. “So, we’re one election away from a lot of those problematic tax increases becoming a reality.”
Get Involved
To determine which issues and legislation are most important to small business owners, NFIB uses a one member, one vote balloting system for members to vote on twice each year at the federal level and the state level. Small business owners’ responses to annual ballot questions guide NFIB’s policy positions. Kuhlman explained the U.S. House and Senate NFIB Key Votes that have taken place so far this year.
NFIB also relies on member engagement, which can be done in many ways. Kuhlman highlighted two members who recently testified in U.S. House Ways and Means Committee hearings about the state of the economy and effects on their small business. Small business owners can also get involved by using action alerts to tell lawmakers how specific regulations or legislation has impacted their business. In addition, NFIB members can now vote on their member-exclusive ballots to shape NFIB’s future advocacy.
“You are your most powerful advocate and you can tell your best story,” Kuhlman said. “We always ask our members to share their story, and you never know when you share your story what opportunities can present themselves.”
Kuhlman ended the federal update by taking questions on credit card processing fees, EIDL loans, and more. NFIB’s Small Business Legal Center and Research Center also have a new webinar available on-demand featuring small business marketing expert Donna Botti with “Top Five Tips to Get More Sales With Your Online Marketing.”
