Small businesses
What federal policy does for small and locally owned businesses, from loans, grants and investment through the SBA and community lenders to aid when crises hit, and how they fare against large corporations.
What they call for
DemocratsRepublicans51 new members addressed this issue. Many call for more than one thing.
Support small businesses39Expand small businesses' access to loans, grants and capital23Help small businesses compete fairly with large corporations9Cut red tape for small businesses8Lower the costs small businesses face5Aid small businesses when disasters and crises hit5Expand help for minority-owned small businesses3Open more government contracts to small businesses3
Support small businesses
39 members“I’m concerned about big challenges like recovering from Hurricane Helene, affordability for working families, and preserving our environment and culture. I’m also outspoken about the need to support local businesses and putting Western North Carolina first.”View on their website ↗
“Growing Small Businesses and Good Jobs”View on their website ↗
“Together, we will fight for our farmers, small business owners, for Kentucky coal, for families, and for Western Kentucky.”View on their website ↗
“Empower workers and small business owners to earn more and get ahead”View on their website ↗
“Supporting Small and Independent Businesses: Monopolies like Amazon make it impossible for small businesses to get ahead. We need to make sure that every small business can compete fairly with companies like Amazon that run giant marketplaces. And we need to make sure giant corporations pay their fair share.”View on their website ↗
“That’s why, in 2020, I took on the political establishment and defeated a 20-year incumbent of my own party to serve in the Iowa House of Representatives. There, I fought for our public schools, our farmers and small businesses, clean air and water, and our rights and liberties.”View on their website ↗
“Help Small Businesses and Entrepreneurs Grow”View on their website ↗
“Supporting small businesses by cutting red tape, expanding access to affordable capital, and making sure that small businesses can attract talent with expanded access to affordable healthcare.”View on their website ↗
“Rebecca started a nonprofit organization that has helped over 70 small businesses create local jobs and she served on the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation board, aiding in the success of rural businesses.”View on their website ↗
“Support Small Business”View on their website ↗
“Keeping Main Streets Strong”View on their website ↗
“Governor Cooper has stood up for small businesses his entire career. He worked to help small businesses across North Carolina secure millions in grants for research, development, hiring, and more.”View on their website ↗
“She’s helping support our family farms and small businesses and is leading the fight to make sure abortion stays legal in Minnesota.”View on their website ↗
Show the other 29 members
“Ford has been one of Springfield’s leading champions for working families, small businesses, and returning citizens.”View on their website ↗
“Throughout his tenure, Ford has championed social justice, equity, and expanded opportunity, driving legislation that advances jobs, education, health, second chances for returning citizens, small business development, housing, and veterans’ services.”View on their website ↗
“My approach pairs higher wage standards with targeted support for truly small, locally owned businesses. That means lowering health care costs, improving access to affordable credit, enforcing labor laws evenly, and ensuring that responsible employers are not punished while bad actors cut corners.”View on their website ↗
“Support working women and responsible small businesses together”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, I’ll fight to raise wages and support local small businesses—not by writing blank checks, but by investing in apprenticeships, vocational schools, community colleges, and job training programs that prepare Iowans for high-skill, high-wage work.”View on their website ↗
“Oliver will fight in Washington to reinvest in job training, especially in high-paying technical fields that can’t easily be taken away by AI, and to strengthen support for entrepreneurs and small business owners.”View on their website ↗
“Chris will fight to cut burdensome regulations, expand small business opportunities, make essentials more affordable, and strengthen rural healthcare so families don’t have to drive hours for treatment.”View on their website ↗
“Support for small businesses and social enterprises that hire locally and invest in the community”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, he will fight for small businesses, lower taxes, less unnecessary regulation, and an economy that rewards hard work, investment, and entrepreneurship.”View on their website ↗
“Support for minority-owned and locally rooted small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“Invest in wealth-building opportunities, including home ownership, small business development, and student debt relief.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, Chuck will fight corruption, prioritize our working families and small businesses, support public education, work to build an economy that works for all of us, and expand access to affordable healthcare.”View on their website ↗
“We need a Representative who will take action to bring back good-paying jobs, support our small businesses, and strengthen North Carolina’s agriculture – especially as farmers face increasingly unpredictable weather patterns due to climate change.”View on their website ↗
“On Monday, Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to help small businesses hit the hardest by electric rate increases.”View on their website ↗
“Our sole proprietors are in crisis and they desperately need help. As state lawmakers, we’re calling on the federal delegation to make sure our small business owners can get the help they need.”View on their website ↗
“Today, Maine Senate Democrats voted in favor of a historic investment in Maine businesses and working families who experienced profound hardship and extraordinary tragedy throughout this pandemic. It will lift up the farmers and fishermen who have suffered greatly after the demand for local foods disappeared overnight when restaurants had to close their dining rooms, while also boosting small businesses all across the state. It will help Maine seniors and individuals with disabilities afford to stay in their homes while supporting family caregivers and working to build a robust direct care workforce. And, it will make long-overdue investments in our career technical education and workforce training programs, while also working to close gaps in our health care workforce and system”View on their website ↗
“Cyril will bring federal dollars home to modernize roads, rail, and broadband, support small businesses and farmers, and boost housing supply—using the same results-driven approach that secured millions for High Point without raising taxes.”View on their website ↗
“Boosting small business growth with SBA micro-loans and Main Street accelerator funds.”View on their website ↗
“As Mayor, he’s led local efforts to increase affordable housing, support small businesses, and strengthen public infrastructure.”View on their website ↗
“I’ll cut red tape so we can quickly build new homes, expand childcare options, and support our small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, she’ll work on pragmatic approaches to end the affordability crisis, cut taxes, help small businesses, and take on the status quo of Washington corruption.”View on their website ↗
“That means cutting taxes for working families, lowering costs, standing up for small businesses, and making billionaires pay their fair share. It means strengthening workers’ rights and raising wages so people can actually get ahead.”View on their website ↗
“He will work to secure the border, restore order to our immigration system, defend the Constitution, support law enforcement, and advance an economy where families and small businesses can thrive.”View on their website ↗
“A Stronger Economy for Arizona and American Families Lower costs, support small businesses, protect taxpayers, and strengthen American jobs”View on their website ↗
“Invest in local businesses that create good-paying jobs”View on their website ↗
“Support small businesses over corporate monopolies”View on their website ↗
“Alicia will support good-paying jobs, workforce training, and local businesses that strengthen our community and keep opportunity close to home.”View on their website ↗
“She’s running for Congress to fight for practical solutions that help make life easier — lowering everyday costs, improving access to services, supporting local businesses, and creating more opportunity for families to build a future right here at home.”View on their website ↗
“Her priorities include lowering everyday costs, expanding access to healthcare and essential services, supporting small businesses, strengthening workforce and educational opportunities, and ensuring federal resources create real benefits for local families and communities.”View on their website ↗
“Now, Sean is running for Congress because he knows Washington needs to focus on what matters to regular people – like protecting health care and Medicaid, not cutting it; getting costs down, not exploding the national debt; helping small businesses grow, not giving huge tax breaks to special interests; and letting women make their own health care decisions, instead of politicians making it for them.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, JoAnna will work to support small businesses, bring good-paying jobs back to our cities and towns, and ensure that companies who put roots down in Arizona hire and retain workers from our communities.”View on their website ↗
“Barry supports small businesses, lower taxes, and American entrepreneurship.”View on their website ↗
“Supporting Small Businesses and Local Entrepreneurs”View on their website ↗
“Dr. Pan will stand with small businesses, not corporate monopolies, and fight to keep our local economy strong.”View on their website ↗
“In the Senate I’ll continue working to invest in New Hampshire’s workforce, and support the needs of the Main Street businesses that drive our economy all across the state of New Hampshire.”View on their website ↗
“I’m fighting to exempt small businesses and to overturn Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs that are weighing down our economy and creating so much uncertainty. We must focus on supporting our Main Street small businesses, lowering costs, and building a fair economy.”View on their website ↗
“Pappas is running for U.S. Senate to stand up for New Hampshire’s small businesses, which are the backbone of our economy.”View on their website ↗
“We can create opportunities for people to get access to affordable housing, to expand access to health care, to make sure our small business climate is healthy and successful.”View on their website ↗
“Supporting Small Businesses”View on their website ↗
“In the U.S. Senate, Chris will continue the fight for small businesses, create good-paying jobs, and ensure we build an economy that works for everyone.”View on their website ↗
“Increase funding and support of small businesses across Nebraska, giving them the tools they need to innovate, hire and grow.”View on their website ↗
“In his five years at the State Legislature, Dr. Shah focused on increasing teacher pay, supporting small businesses, and improving public health and safety.”View on their website ↗
“In the State House, Amish cut taxes for middle-class families, championed small businesses, and worked across the aisle to make housing and health care more affordable.”View on their website ↗
“In 2013, she was elected to serve on the Portsmouth City Council, where she helped tackle a parking shortage that was threatening local businesses.”View on their website ↗
“Stefany was elected to serve on the Portsmouth City Council, where she helped tackle a parking shortage that was threatening local businesses.”View on their website ↗
“Hilda Solis established innovative programs to support small businesses in the First District. Those programs provided First District small businesses microloans and other needed services with the aim to prevent displacement, and ensured that local dollars stayed local.”View on their website ↗
“Janelle will work with Republicans & Democrats to lower the costs of utilities, healthcare, buying a home, and invest in our small businesses and family farms.”View on their website ↗
“SUPPORTING SMALL BUSINESS”View on their website ↗
“Even the playing field between giant corporations and small businesses: End the extreme tax breaks that allow the largest corporations to pay $0 in federal income taxes so that we can help more entrepreneurs make their dreams a reality. Expand support for Community Development Financial Institutions and community banks to increase access to credit and capital, broaden eligibility for Small Business Administration loan programs, and support states in providing more equity investment and technical assistance for small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“Backed laws that support small businesses and promote economic growth”View on their website ↗
“From affordable housing to small business growth, he’ll fight to make sure D.C. is a place where families can thrive, not just get by.”View on their website ↗
Expand small businesses' access to loans, grants and capital
23 members“I’ll fight to cut red tape and expand access to loans and grants for our small businesses affected by Helene.”View on their website ↗
“Expand access to affordable capital for small businesses”View on their website ↗
“Mobilize capital for minority entrepreneurs. Increase access to capital for minority entrepreneurs by expanding federal small business lending and investing in Community Development Financial Institutions that support underserved communities.”View on their website ↗
“Supporting small businesses by cutting red tape, expanding access to affordable capital, and making sure that small businesses can attract talent with expanded access to affordable healthcare.”View on their website ↗
“Create a regional fund that seeds dollars for second stage growth – investing more deeply in start-ups that are ready to grow, create more jobs and manufacture in Wisconsin.”View on their website ↗
“Governor Cooper has stood up for small businesses his entire career. He worked to help small businesses across North Carolina secure millions in grants for research, development, hiring, and more.”View on their website ↗
“Small Business Revolving Loans: Publicly capitalized loans so local businesses can build and thrive.”View on their website ↗
“Access to Capital & Minority Business Growth: Closing the lending and contracting gap by expanding CDFI and SBA lending to minority-owned businesses, with a goal of doubling the share of SBA-backed loans reaching Black- and Latino-owned firms within five years.”View on their website ↗
“Close the lending and contracting gap – Expand Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Funds and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending to minority-owned businesses, with a goal of doubling the share of SBA-backed loans reaching Black- and Latino-owned firms within five years, and hold federal agencies accountable to disadvantaged-business contracting targets with real penalties for missing them.”View on their website ↗
“Transparency and technical assistance – Require federal lending data to be published by census tract and race on a public dashboard, and fund Minority Business Development Agency centers and CDFI technical-assistance grants so entrepreneurs get real help with applications and compliance.”View on their website ↗
“To address the risk of massive automation of our jobs, I support exploring income protection programs such as wage insurance and basic income, worker investment through unions, adjusting our tax system to stop penalizing human employment and rewarding automation, and investment in small business revolving loan funds.”View on their website ↗
“Small businesses need programs in place that allow them to compete with larger corporations, attract top talent, and grow. Peggy believes the government should invest in small business loans and level the playing field so small businesses don’t pay a higher tax rate than giant corporations like Amazon.”View on their website ↗
“Passed laws to support micro-loans for returning citizens, state contract access for small businesses, and banking equity in underserved areas.”View on their website ↗
“Introduced legislation that became law establishing a micro-loan program for qualified ex-offenders who are establishing their own businesses (Public Act 096-0656)”View on their website ↗
“My approach pairs higher wage standards with targeted support for truly small, locally owned businesses. That means lowering health care costs, improving access to affordable credit, enforcing labor laws evenly, and ensuring that responsible employers are not punished while bad actors cut corners.”View on their website ↗
“Startup grants and affordable financing to get your idea off the ground.”View on their website ↗
“The SBA Growth Line offers low-interest loans to help you scale up.”View on their website ↗
“A strengthened SBA 504 program makes buying property and expanding easier.”View on their website ↗
Show the other 13 members
“I am working in the Small Business committee to make sure that businesses have the capital access they need to start and grow companies for American workers, and I am pushing back against the Left’s harmful policies that would inhibit free-enterprise and encourage government dependency.”View on their website ↗
“Boosting small business growth with SBA micro-loans and Main Street accelerator funds.”View on their website ↗
“Reduce barriers for small businesses by simplifying access to federal loans and capital, particularly for local entrepreneurs and first-time business owners.”View on their website ↗
“Alicia will work to reduce unnecessary barriers, expand access to capital, and ensure local businesses have a fair opportunity to compete and grow.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, Dr. Pan will work to reduce unnecessary red tape, expand access to affordable capital, and push back on policies that increase uncertainty and drive up costs for small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, he’s championed initiatives to provide small businesses with access to capital, job training, and tax relief.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress he has led efforts to help rural entrepreneurs, increase access to capital, and cut taxes for small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“Increase funding and support of small businesses across Nebraska, giving them the tools they need to innovate, hire and grow.”View on their website ↗
“He has also introduced legislation establishing microenterprise loans and specialty crop block grants.”View on their website ↗
“Hilda Solis established innovative programs to support small businesses in the First District. Those programs provided First District small businesses microloans and other needed services with the aim to prevent displacement, and ensured that local dollars stayed local.”View on their website ↗
“Small businesses are key to Central Pennsylvania’s economy and in Congress, I will ensure my office helps with SBA loans and I will advocate to cut through red tape so our small businesses can thrive.”View on their website ↗
“Investing in Grant Programs for Small Business Owners”View on their website ↗
“Even the playing field between giant corporations and small businesses: End the extreme tax breaks that allow the largest corporations to pay $0 in federal income taxes so that we can help more entrepreneurs make their dreams a reality. Expand support for Community Development Financial Institutions and community banks to increase access to credit and capital, broaden eligibility for Small Business Administration loan programs, and support states in providing more equity investment and technical assistance for small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“I will fight for policies that lower prices, increase access to capital for small business owners, expand workforce development, and support working families with childcare and paid leave.”View on their website ↗
“Expand access to capital through CDFIs and community-based lenders”View on their website ↗
Help small businesses compete fairly with large corporations
9 members“Supporting Small and Independent Businesses: Monopolies like Amazon make it impossible for small businesses to get ahead. We need to make sure that every small business can compete fairly with companies like Amazon that run giant marketplaces. And we need to make sure giant corporations pay their fair share.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, I’ll fight to end this senseless trade war, support free and open trade that helps our farmers and distillers compete globally, and make sure Main Street can compete with Wall Street to lower prices for us all.”View on their website ↗
“Small businesses need programs in place that allow them to compete with larger corporations, attract top talent, and grow. Peggy believes the government should invest in small business loans and level the playing field so small businesses don’t pay a higher tax rate than giant corporations like Amazon.”View on their website ↗
“The forum began with questions from Main Street Alliance about issues related to operating small businesses, giving Jake a chance to share his belief that we need to fund the agencies responsible for enforcing antitrust laws, so that they can go after the monopolies squeezing local operations out of business.”View on their website ↗
“Level the playing field for Colorado small businesses and entrepreneurs so they can compete fairly and improve our economy”View on their website ↗
“Support small businesses over corporate monopolies”View on their website ↗
“Alicia will work to reduce unnecessary barriers, expand access to capital, and ensure local businesses have a fair opportunity to compete and grow.”View on their website ↗
“Dr. Pan will stand with small businesses, not corporate monopolies, and fight to keep our local economy strong.”View on their website ↗
“James Talarico will raise the minimum wage to $15, expand overtime, pass paid family leave, protect the freedom to unionize, and give small businesses a fair shot against giant corporations.”View on their website ↗
“Even the playing field between giant corporations and small businesses: End the extreme tax breaks that allow the largest corporations to pay $0 in federal income taxes so that we can help more entrepreneurs make their dreams a reality. Expand support for Community Development Financial Institutions and community banks to increase access to credit and capital, broaden eligibility for Small Business Administration loan programs, and support states in providing more equity investment and technical assistance for small businesses.”View on their website ↗
Cut red tape for small businesses
8 members“I’ll fight to cut red tape and expand access to loans and grants for our small businesses affected by Helene.”View on their website ↗
“Supporting small businesses by cutting red tape, expanding access to affordable capital, and making sure that small businesses can attract talent with expanded access to affordable healthcare.”View on their website ↗
“Eliminate outdated and mistaken regulations that stifle small businesses, including restaurants.”View on their website ↗
“I’ll cut red tape so we can quickly build new homes, expand childcare options, and support our small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“Reduce barriers for small businesses by simplifying access to federal loans and capital, particularly for local entrepreneurs and first-time business owners.”View on their website ↗
“Alicia will work to reduce unnecessary barriers, expand access to capital, and ensure local businesses have a fair opportunity to compete and grow.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, Dr. Pan will work to reduce unnecessary red tape, expand access to affordable capital, and push back on policies that increase uncertainty and drive up costs for small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“Small businesses are key to Central Pennsylvania’s economy and in Congress, I will ensure my office helps with SBA loans and I will advocate to cut through red tape so our small businesses can thrive.”View on their website ↗
Lower the costs small businesses face
5 members“My approach pairs higher wage standards with targeted support for truly small, locally owned businesses. That means lowering health care costs, improving access to affordable credit, enforcing labor laws evenly, and ensuring that responsible employers are not punished while bad actors cut corners.”View on their website ↗
“On Monday, Governor Janet Mills signed into law legislation from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, to help small businesses hit the hardest by electric rate increases.”View on their website ↗
“On Wednesday, the Maine Senate unanimously approved a bill from Senate President Troy Jackson, D-Allagash, that would deliver rate relief to more than 60 eligible businesses that did not receive the energy credit authorized by the Legislature last year.”View on their website ↗
“In 2022, President Jackson introduced legislation — LD 2010, An Act to Help Maine Residents with High Electricity Costs — creating a tiered credit for eligible small businesses and organizations that were impacted by increases in electricity costs caused by the spike in the price of natural gas and its effect on the standard offer. The program successfully delivered energy relief to just under 3,000 businesses that are considered “medium-general service” under the standard offer.”View on their website ↗
“Address rising costs that hit small businesses directly including healthcare, energy, and insurance so they can grow without passing those costs onto employees or customers.”View on their website ↗
“In Congress, Dr. Pan will work to reduce unnecessary red tape, expand access to affordable capital, and push back on policies that increase uncertainty and drive up costs for small businesses.”View on their website ↗
“I’m fighting to exempt small businesses and to overturn Donald Trump’s reckless tariffs that are weighing down our economy and creating so much uncertainty. We must focus on supporting our Main Street small businesses, lowering costs, and building a fair economy.”View on their website ↗
Aid small businesses when disasters and crises hit
5 members“I’ll fight to cut red tape and expand access to loans and grants for our small businesses affected by Helene.”View on their website ↗
“Introduced and passed House Resolution 1652 (96th GA) urging Congress to establish a small business recession rescue task force”View on their website ↗
“As we continue our recovery following Helene, Congress must step up and prioritize the people and small businesses on the ground. We need a representative who will fight for the funding we were promised, rather than completely ignore the issue.”View on their website ↗
“Our sole proprietors are in crisis and they desperately need help. As state lawmakers, we’re calling on the federal delegation to make sure our small business owners can get the help they need.”View on their website ↗
“Today, Maine Senate Democrats voted in favor of a historic investment in Maine businesses and working families who experienced profound hardship and extraordinary tragedy throughout this pandemic. It will lift up the farmers and fishermen who have suffered greatly after the demand for local foods disappeared overnight when restaurants had to close their dining rooms, while also boosting small businesses all across the state. It will help Maine seniors and individuals with disabilities afford to stay in their homes while supporting family caregivers and working to build a robust direct care workforce. And, it will make long-overdue investments in our career technical education and workforce training programs, while also working to close gaps in our health care workforce and system”View on their website ↗
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, he secured federal resources to help 41,000 New Hampshire small businesses keep their doors open and retain over 120,000 workers.”View on their website ↗
Expand help for minority-owned small businesses
3 members“Mobilize capital for minority entrepreneurs. Increase access to capital for minority entrepreneurs by expanding federal small business lending and investing in Community Development Financial Institutions that support underserved communities.”View on their website ↗
“Access to Capital & Minority Business Growth: Closing the lending and contracting gap by expanding CDFI and SBA lending to minority-owned businesses, with a goal of doubling the share of SBA-backed loans reaching Black- and Latino-owned firms within five years.”View on their website ↗
“Close the lending and contracting gap – Expand Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Funds and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending to minority-owned businesses, with a goal of doubling the share of SBA-backed loans reaching Black- and Latino-owned firms within five years, and hold federal agencies accountable to disadvantaged-business contracting targets with real penalties for missing them.”View on their website ↗
“Transparency and technical assistance – Require federal lending data to be published by census tract and race on a public dashboard, and fund Minority Business Development Agency centers and CDFI technical-assistance grants so entrepreneurs get real help with applications and compliance.”View on their website ↗
“Support for minority-owned and locally rooted small businesses.”View on their website ↗
Open more government contracts to small businesses
3 members“Access to Capital & Minority Business Growth: Closing the lending and contracting gap by expanding CDFI and SBA lending to minority-owned businesses, with a goal of doubling the share of SBA-backed loans reaching Black- and Latino-owned firms within five years.”View on their website ↗
“Close the lending and contracting gap – Expand Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Funds and Small Business Administration (SBA) lending to minority-owned businesses, with a goal of doubling the share of SBA-backed loans reaching Black- and Latino-owned firms within five years, and hold federal agencies accountable to disadvantaged-business contracting targets with real penalties for missing them.”View on their website ↗
“Passed laws to support micro-loans for returning citizens, state contract access for small businesses, and banking equity in underserved areas.”View on their website ↗
“Educación, capacitación laboral y oportunidad económica
Deberíamos fortalecer y expandir los beneficios educativos, invertir en capacitación laboral que conduzca a empleos sindicalizados bien remunerados en oficios, salud y la economía verde, y expandir los programas de la SBA y las oportunidades de contratación federal para pequeñas empresas propiedad de veteranos.”View on their website ↗Raised the issue without a specific call
1 member“As someone who helps grow a small business daily, Houston knows how important it is we keep our economy strong and support our business community.”View on their website ↗
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