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.
“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. Most notably, shutdowns interrupt small business access to lending, technical assistance and other critical support services. For small businesses that work directly with the federal government as contractors, it means they do not get paid for the duration of the shutdown. These are all serious problems that can cause irreparable damage to small firms.
“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. Among the critical programs the House is looking to fund in FY26 include:
$324 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund, which caters specifically to under-resourced entrepreneurs and low-income communities;
“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.
“An agreement that would reopen the federal government without renewing the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits (EPTCs) deals a huge blow to the fortunes of small businesses in America.
On October 21 and 22, Small Business Majority hosted an advocacy fly-in, bringing 20 small business owners from our network to Capitol Hill to discuss key issues facing entrepreneurs today, including protecting affordable healthcare, extending the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits and advancing tariff relief. Network members met with the offices of more than 20 lawmakers and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy to advocate for policies that support small business growth.
On October 21, Small Business Majority gathered with long-time partners, policymakers and small business owners to celebrate 20 years of championing America’s entrepreneurs. Since 2005, Small Business Majority has worked to ensure the voices and experiences of small business owners are represented in the policies that shape our country. Over the past two decades we’ve done just that, growing into a national network and trusted resource for more than 85,000 small businesses and 1,500 organizations.
On September 10, SBM network members Andrea Deutsch, Nance L. Schick and Sydney Jackson-Clockston, alongside other small business advocates, met with House and Senate staffers to advocate for the extension of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits. Attendees heard from Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) on the importance of the tax credits and Your Health Idaho Executive Director and CEO Pat Kelly on how the expiration of the enhancements will impact Marketplace enrollees.
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