Members at Small Business Week press Congress to extend 2017 tax cuts, curb tariffs and prioritize SBA staffing

Lawmakers from both parties used the House Committee on Small Business Member Day hearing to highlight a range of policy priorities for Main Street businesses, including extending provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, providing tariff relief, restoring and staffing Small Business Administration field offices, supporting domestic manufacturing, and expanding support for employee ownership models.

Representative Mike Kelly described small businesses as “the backbone of America” and praised their community role, noting payroll pressures and the need for profitability to support retirement and health benefits. “If you want to know how important small businesses are, if you have a son who plays Little League Baseball, see whose name's on the outfield fence,” Representative Mike Kelly said.

Representative Tran said Member Day would allow the committee to “get a pulse on the issues facing Main Street America,” and multiple members emphasized bipartisan interest in small business policies. Representative Tony Weed told the committee that last week it “passed out of committee bills that moved 30% of SBA staff out of Washington, D.C., required proof of citizenship for SBA loans, and prohibited the SBA from engaging in any voter registration activities,” and described those measures as efforts to refocus the agency on local services.

Representative Gus Bilirakis urged a permanent extension of key provisions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, saying pass‑through provisions and bonus depreciation give small businesses long‑term planning certainty. “A permanent extension would give business owners the long term tax stability they need to plan and invest in their future with confidence,” Representative Gus Bilirakis said.

Representative MacIver (New Jersey) and others raised concerns about SBA staffing decisions, layoffs and moving offices away from economic hubs. MacIver called for improved SBA outreach and cited the SBA’s capital impact in 2024 as a reason to prioritize staffing and resources for entrepreneurs, including first‑generation and lower‑income owners who find the loan application process complex.

Representative Brian Jack described bipartisan action in his district to use the Congressional Review Act to repeal a Department of Energy regulation that he said would have closed a water‑heater manufacturing plant; Jack said working with members across the aisle averted a factory closure.

Several members highlighted manufacturing and reshoring. Representative Tony Weed said his district is a manufacturing hub and called for improved access to capital, reduced regulations and support for technical school graduates. Representative MacIver also urged the SBA to step up services for exporters navigating tariffs.

Members also discussed employee ownership models such as cooperatives and Employee Stock Ownership Plans as a way to help ownership succession and broaden wealth creation among workers.

The committee chair closed the Member Day and gave members five legislative days to submit statements and supporting materials for the record. No formal committee votes were taken during the Member Day hearing itself.