We develop and support policies at the state and federal level that benefit the entire small business ecosystem—ranging from access to responsible capital, healthcare and other essential benefits, and promoting fair competition.
This national opinion poll of likely voters, conducted for Small Business Majority by Lake Research Partners, reveals overwhelming bipartisan support for small businesses and pro-small business policies. Voters believe by dramatic margins that the success of small business is better for their families and the economy than the success of large corporations, and it’s personally important to them that local small businesses in their communities thrive.
On April 14, Small Business Majority, The National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions, and Families USA held a briefing on Capitol Hill for congressional staff on the need for healthcare price transparency reform. These organizations and small business owners called on Congress to pass the bipartisan Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, which would offer site-neutral payment reforms and greater billing transparency.
Small businesses are navigating a sharp squeeze on Main Street, according to Small Business Majority’s latest Voice of Main Street poll released on March 25, 2026. Most entrepreneurs report rising expenses alongside falling revenues, with costs driven by tariffs, healthcare premiums, utilities, and supplies. At the same time, many say weak consumer demand, difficulty meeting payroll, and concerns about corporate consolidation are limiting growth and forcing tough choices—from raising prices to delaying hiring and investment.
“America’s small businesses are grateful that the U.S. Supreme Court has placed limitations on a president’s ability to impose tariffs. This decision is critically important because small businesses can do very little to avoid the rapidly rising costs of goods that result from tariffs. In fact, sweeping tariffs have already forced many small firms to make difficult decisions, including limiting or even ceasing operations."
“Congress is at a crossroads and the decisions our elected officials make in the coming days and weeks will have a profound impact on not only America’s small businesses but on the collective whole of our nation. On one hand, government shutdowns, even partial shutdowns, typically harm small businesses in some form. At the same time, the federal government’s widespread use of violent and chaotic immigration enforcement action is disrupting small business operations nationwide. In order to address an immigration enforcement situation that has rapidly devolved to the point of crisis while also minimizing the damage caused by a government shutdown, the U.S. Senate should separate U.S. Department of Homeland Security funding from the other legislation needed to fund the federal government so that the government can remain up and running while lawmakers negotiate necessary reforms to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations."
“It is very promising to see that appropriators in the U.S. House of Representatives are seeking more than $1.3 billion in total funding for direct small business support programs. At a time when small businesses are struggling with tariffs, inflation, the growing cost of healthcare and broad economic uncertainty, targeted small business resources are a lifeline that cannot realistically be replaced with investment from the private sector."
“The fact that 60 U.S. Senators did not agree to extend the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs) will have serious consequences for America’s small businesses. The EPTCs, which lower monthly premiums for health insurance plans purchased through the ACA Marketplace, have been essential for many small businesses and their employees. In 2025 alone, more than 4.4 million out of 5.2 million small business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs enrolled in coverage through the Marketplace received the enhanced premium tax credit. Without the EPTCs, however, KFF estimates that ACA marketplace enrollees would pay 114% more on average for their monthly healthcare premiums.
On December 8, Small Business Majority submitted a statement for the record in advance of a Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations hearing titled “Defining Our Healthcare Problem, and Principles We Should Follow to Solve it.” The statement outlines the critical role the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace and the expansion of the premium tax credits have played in strengthening access to affordable healthcare coverage for small business owners and employees. With the end of open enrollment fast approaching, Congress is running out of time to extend the enhanced tax credits which are essential to lowering costs for the millions of small business owners and self-employed entrepreneurs in the Marketplace.
On November 20, Small Business Majority Virginia Small Business Council member and co-owner of 3D Design and Manufacturing Shirley Modlin testified before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business to raise awareness of key issues facing entrepreneurs today. Shirley shared how workforce shortages and increased tariffs have affected her business and bottom line and urged lawmakers to extend the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits, which many of her employees rely on.
On November 13, 2025, Small Business Majority released a research report examining the challenges small businesses face from rising healthcare premiums and increased immigration enforcement. The survey found that two-thirds of small business owners view higher healthcare costs as a significant financial burden and strongly support extending the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. Entrepreneurs also reported negative effects from immigration enforcement and expressed strong support for modernizing the legal immigration system and creating pathways to citizenship for qualifying undocumented immigrants.
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