Congress Needs to Act Now to help Main Street Survive and Thrive

June 14, 2023 Last Edit: March 19, 2026

Brad Close published an op-ed in “The Hill” during NFIB’s Fly-In

Congress Needs to Act Now to help Main Street Survive and Thrive

As small business owners from across the country descend on Washington D.C. this week for NFIB’s annual Fly-In event, NFIB President Brad Close penned an op-ed in The Hill on how Congress can demonstrate leadership by taking action now to help Main Street survive and thrive. “This week, small business owners will gather on Capitol Hill as part of the National Federation of Independent Business’ annual Fly-In,” Close wrote. “They’ll come from states across the country, communities of all sizes, and from diverse industries. But their message to members will be the same: Congress needs to act now to help Main Street.” NFIB members flew to D.C. to attend this event and meet other small business owners as well as their members of Congress in meetings on Capitol Hill. These meetings are an important way for small business owners to explain the real-world impact of legislation that their members of Congress are considering. It’s also an opportunity to urge them to support crucial bills being considered. “Small businesses face numerous major challenges, and Washington isn’t making it easier,” explained Close. “Three years after the pandemic started, the entrepreneurial spirit that drives independent business owners is still bearing the brunt of a mismanaged response. The resulting inflation, worker shortages, and supply chain issues have left many small businesses pessimistic about the economy and struggling to create jobs, invest in their employees, and grow.” “This stands in stark contrast to what Main Street wants to do — create more jobs, help their communities, and lead our economy forward,” wrote Close. “Small businesses created two out of every three new jobs in the past 25 years, and they stand ready if Congress will listen to them and enact policies to unleash the small business economy.” The Fly-In is a reminder for lawmakers of the importance of small businesses to their districts and states. The NFIB members who attended the event pushed for pro-small business legislation and brought the voice of small business into the conversation as lawmakers consider policies that will affect Main Street. A full recap with highlights from the event is now available.

READ THE FULL OP-ED

Topics:

Economy

Get to know NFIB

NFIB is a member-driven organization advocating on behalf of small and independent businesses nationwide.

Learn More

May 13, 2026

NEW NFIB SURVEY: Small Business Optimism Remains Below Average But Stable

Labor quality was top issue, Employment Index softened

May 13, 2026

Small Businesses: Suspend Federal Gas Tax

WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 13, 2026) – The rising cost of energy has an immense impact on small business owners, according to research conducted earlier this year, …