Ernst Leads 41 Senate Republicans in Celebrating Small Businesses Driving America into the Golden Age

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) led 41 of her Senate Republican colleagues in declaring this week “National Small Business Week” to recognize the entrepreneurs and innovators driving growth and creating jobs across America.

The Senate Committee on Small and Entrepreneurship, led by Ernst, has been working hard this year slashing burdensome regulations, unleashing manufacturing to bring back “Made in America,” and right-sizing and reforming the Small Business Administration (SBA) to ensure the agency best serves the more than 34.7 million small businesses that account for more than 99.9% of all businesses and employ 45.9% of American workers, or about 59 million people.

“Main Street is roaring back under President Trump’s pro-growth policies that are ushering in a Golden Age,” said Ernst. “This week, we celebrate the small businesses that mean so much more than the livelihoods they support and the jobs they create. These shops embody the American spirit and shape the culture of big cities and rural communities across America. I’m proud to recognize these entrepreneurs’ tremendous contributions and will continue to fight to ensure that they have a champion in Washington.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of Idaho’s economy,” said Jim Risch (R-Idaho). “During National Small Business Week, I’m proud to recognize the hard-working entrepreneurs who employ our neighbors, give back to our communities, and make the Gem State a special place to live and grow.”

“National Small Business Week holds a special place in my heart because I know all too well the pressures and joy that come with owning a business and signing the front of a paycheck,” said Tim Scott (R-S.C.). “This week I join my colleagues in celebrating their innovation, resilience, and drive that not only creates jobs but fosters community and inspires entrepreneurship across America. As a former small business owner myself, I’m committed to supporting them and ensuring they have the resources they need to thrive and succeed.”

“As the son of a small business owner, I understand how vital small businesses are to Indiana’s economy,” said Todd Young (R-Ind.). “I’m proud to stand with Hoosier small business owners and will continue advocating for policies that help them thrive.”

“We can’t do Made-in-America without Ohio’s hardworking small business owners, entrepreneurs and job creators,” said Jon Husted (R-Ohio). “This week recognizes their work to fuel our economy and drive the country forward, and I’ll continue supporting pro-growth policies that make the American dream achievable.”

“We know that small businesses drive America’s innovations and economic strength,” said Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). “Here in Iowa, they make up 99.3 percent of all businesses, and nearly half of Iowa employees work for a small business. In marking this special week, our resolution recognizes the power of small businesses and honors the men and women who work hard to keep our communities vibrant.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of Wyoming’s economy,” said John Barrasso (R-Wyo.). “To celebrate National Small Business week, we honor these job creators in Wyoming and across the country. Senate Republicans will continue to work with President Trump to roll back harmful regulations and taxes so America’s small businesses can continue to thrive.”

“In West Virginia, small businesses are an essential part of our economy, making up more than 98% of the businesses in our state and employing nearly half of our workforce,” said Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.). “During National Small Business Week, I am proud to join my colleagues in recognizing and celebrating the critical contributions small businesses, like the female-owned Dolly’s Diner in Princeton I visited recently, make in West Virginia and across our country.”

“By designating this week as National Small Business Week, we honor the small business owners who embody the entrepreneurial spirit that makes Texas the economic powerhouse it is today,” said John Cornyn (R-Texas).

“Maine’s small businesses are the bedrock of Maine’s local economies and drive job creation throughout our state,” said Susan Collins (R-Maine). “As Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, I remain committed to championing small businesses, the job creating engines that power our nation’s economy.”

“Fighting for hardworking families, small businesses, and local Main Streets across Alabama has always been a top priority for me,” said Katie Britt (Ala.). “Small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy, and I’m proud to recognize our incredible job creators and entrepreneurs this Small Business Week. I remain steadfastly committed to advancing policies that slash burdensome red tape, provide access to opportunities and resources, and unleash American ingenuity.”

“Small businesses are at the heart of Tennessee’s economy and a cornerstone of our communities,” said Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.). “As we mark National Small Business Week, I’m honored to celebrate these hardworking entrepreneurs. Under President Trump’s new Golden Age for America, we are seeing small businesses start to thrive again. I’ll keep fighting in the Senate to stop the largest tax hike in history and to advance pro-growth policies that cut red tape, lower taxes, and foster an environment where small businesses across America and Tennessee can continue to grow and prosper.”

"This resolution reaffirms our commitment to supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners in the Cowboy State who demonstrate incredible resilience and determination,” said Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.). “As they pursue their American dream, they sacrifice countless hours through hard work to overcome challenges and build something meaningful for their families and communities."

“Alaska’s small businesses are the cornerstone of our economy, keeping our communities strong and economically vibrant,” said Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska). “Our local businesses are the first to give back—contributing to local causes, hiring people who live here, and listening to the needs of the people in our communities. I’m glad to join Senator Ernst in introducing a resolution that acknowledges the incredible work done by small businesses across the country to invest in their communities. I look forward to continuing to work with Alaska’s small businesses to support our crucial, innovative entrepreneurs.”

“Small businesses are a driving force of North Dakota’s economy, fueling growth, creating jobs and supporting strong communities,” said John Hoeven (R-N.D.). “Designating this week as National Small Business Week highlights the dedication and impact of entrepreneurs and small business owners both in our state and across the country.”

“Small businesses employ over 65 percent of Montana’s workforce and represent 99 percent of all businesses in Montana, which boosts our local economies and creates new jobs in our communities,” said Steve Daines (R-Mont.). “I’m proud to join my colleagues in celebrating National Small Business Week to recognize all the entrepreneurs and business owners whose innovation and hard work helps keep both Montana and our country a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

“Small businesses power our economy and represent core American values like hard work, taking risks and the pursuit of success,” said John Boozman (R-Ark.). “I am pleased to join my colleagues in celebrating National Small Business week to applaud their local and regional investments that create jobs and sustain communities across Arkansas as well as nationwide. These entrepreneurs deserve our recognition and total support.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of communities across America, and they represent the heart of Mississippi’s economy and way of life,” said Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.). “National Small Business Week is a time to celebrate the American dream, the drive of our entrepreneurs, and the ingenuity that powers growth and opportunity.  I’m proud to support this resolution and honor the small businesses that keep Mississippi strong and our nation thriving.”

“As a former small business owner, I fully understand the challenges that small businesses face,” said Roger Marshall (R-Kan.). “That’s why I remain committed to prioritizing Main Street over Wall Street by cutting red tape and taxes, opening new markets, and ensuring small businesses have the capital they need to grow and thrive. This week, we proudly recognize the lifeblood of our economy by honoring the remarkable contributions of small businesses and officially designating this week as National Small Business Week.”

“Small businesses are the lifeblood of Idaho’s economy,” said Mike Crapo (R-Idaho). “Idaho’s 200,131 small businesses have an outsized impact--making up 99.2 percent of businesses in the state and employing 56.6 percent of all Idaho employees.  I applaud the owners and employees who roll up their sleeves every day, work hard and power our economy.”

“We need an economy which works for small business,” said Bill Cassidy (R-La.). “Small businesses create the majority of new jobs. That is President Trump’s goal, that is my goal.”

“Small businesses are the backbone of Louisiana’s economy and create good jobs across our country,” said John Kennedy (R-La.). “This National Small Business Week, I’m proud to recognize everything small businesses do for America and keep fighting to throw out bad regulations that hold our economy back.”

Click here to view the resolution.

Background:

Ernst unveiling a major new initiative last week to unleash American manufacturing to bring back “Made in America” was just the latest example of her non-stop advocacy for Main Street in Washington, including on day one of the Trump administration.

She has fought to avoid the largest tax hike in history by emphasizing the need to make the Trump tax cuts permanent and eliminate the cruel death tax that forces farm families and family-run small businesses to potentially lose their livelihood while they are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Even after Biden dropped the ball in pursuing fraudsters who stole more than $200 billion in COVID relief designated for small businesses in need, Ernst is working to hold every criminal accountable recoup all stolen tax dollars.

Ernst has worked with SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler to undo reckless Biden-era changes and restore fiscal responsibility in the agency’s flagship 7(a) lending program.

As part of her efforts to refocus the SBA on serving Main Street, the Ernst-led Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee has advanced commonsense bills to prevent convicted fraudsters from receiving support from the agency and enhanced support for rural small businesses.

Right-sizing the bloated agency and getting bureaucrats out of the D.C. beltway and closer to the small businesses they serve were key early priorities for Ernst that she worked with Loeffler to achieve.

In addition to swiftly confirming Loeffler to lead the SBA, Ernst is working diligently to confirm other key leaders at the agency to ensure President Trump and Loeffler’s agenda to make Main Street great again is effectively executed.

Because small businesses power innovation and fuel technological advancements critical to America’s defense industrial base, Chair Ernst is working to renew the SBIR-STTR programs while slashing burdensome regulations and protecting sensitive American intellectual property from malign foreign influence.

Ernst has led a pair of significant bills to give small businesses a voice in the federal regulatory process and codify a key Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiative to eliminate outdated and unnecessary regulations.  

To alleviate one of the biggest hurdles for small businesses looking to hire and retain talented employees, Ernst has been working to expand child care access for small businesses and working families.

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