Fifty years ago a group of women banded together to advocate for a woman’s right to own a business outright, get a loan with a man’s signature, and so much more. They made great strides for themselves and future generations.

Now it’s our turn to continue the legacy. We owe it to ourselves, as well as future women business owners, to make sure our voices are heard. The good news is this is something we can do at any time. And we are fortunate to have a Public Policy team at NAWBO National sharing information with us. Please make sure you are getting, opening, and reading the emails about these important topics. And, if so moved, please follow the requests from Elle, and our National team around outreach to Congress. They need to hear your stories in order to appreciate the importance of working with us to strengthen the opportunities for WBOs. Unless we tell them, they won’t know. And that is unfair to everyone. Let’s help them make good decisions by working to make sure they are informed.

Here are some examples of things you should know, and can do:

How could you advocate this week?

Last week, NAWBO National sent a list of talking points that a NAWBO Member could use with Members of Congress in Washington, D.C. These talking points were in response to media reports stating that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has asked for unfettered access to all the Small Business Administration or S-B-A systems, including HR, contract, and payment systems. Our call to action is to remind lawmakers to ensure that DOGE does not take any action that will impede the agency from executing its congressionally mandated activities or otherwise override Congressional authority.

If you would like to make a call, you can ask for the representative’s small business staffer, or if the small business staffer is not available, feel free to share your thoughts with the staff assistant who answers the call.

Talking Points:

• My name is __________; I am a constituent and a small business owner.
• I am calling to express my DEEP concern about media reports that the Department of Government Efficiency has asked for unfettered access to all the Small Business Administration or S-B-A systems, including HR, contract, and payment systems.
• I am VERY concerned as a small business owner in America and your constituent.
• SBA provides crucial services to small businesses, including thousands of small businesses recovering from the devastating hurricanes in the fall and the Southern California fires.
• As a woman business owner, programs like the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) program have helped women enter the federal procurement system and scale their businesses.
• Women business owners contribute significantly to the U.S. economy, adding $3.3 trillion in 2024, and have the potential to bring an additional $10.2 trillion in economic activity.
• SBA provides crucial services to businesses, and I am calling on your office to ensure that the agency is not impeded from executing its congressionally mandated activities.

If you prefer to share your thoughts in writing, click share comments on the Senator’s website or click on the envelope icon once you see your U.S. Representative. Here is a letter that you can use to craft your message.

What else is NAWBO up to?

NAWBO continued to support the bipartisan Helping Small Businesses to Hedge Risk and Insure against Volatile Expenses (Helping Small Businesses THRIVE) Act this Congress. NAWBO is listed in a press release from Senators Cassidy and Shaheen on the topic. The Senators’ bipartisan bill would direct the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to create a new program that helps small businesses lock in the cost of commodities, like gasoline or lumber, to protect against the future volatile price of energy and other expenses.

You will also see a quote from NAWBO Board Chair Dr. Janis Shinkawa in a press release from Senators Fischer and King on the Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation will make the Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Employer Tax Credit permanent, helping companies of all sizes offer PFML plans to their employees.

NAWBO also commented on a proposed rule to adjust non-statutory FAR acquisition-related thresholds in 2025 due to inflation. You can view our comments here.  

After hearing from all of you on our survey, NAWBO also joined a letter supporting the Main Street Tax Certainty Act of 2025, legislation to make permanent the 20-percent deduction for small- and family-owned businesses (Section 199A).

As you can see, NAWBO is very engaged in advocating for the best business interests of our members, and WBOs throughout the country.

 

Diane Helbig Chief Improvement Catalyzer at Helbig Enterprises Email: [email protected]   Phone: 888-229-3357 | Mobile: 216-534-2030 P.O. Box 771329, Lakewood, Ohio 44107 www.helbigenterprises.com