NEWS | Main Street Under Attack: House Hearing on Rising Retail Crime and Cyber-Threats Underscore Importance of NSBA, Small-Business Advocacy
- NSBA
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
NSBA commends Congress for its commitments on prioritizing conversations on realities facing small-business owners across the country, including an exponentially increasing threat of digital and physical attacks.
DEC. 03, 2025 | This week, the House Committee on Small Business convened a hearing titled: Main Street Under Attack: The Cost of Crime on Small Businesses.
During the hearing, witnesses reminded Americans that small businesses are under growing pressure in an increasingly insecure world.
The hearing revealed a harsh reality, including firsthand accounts of rising violent crime, organized retail theft, shoplifting, and a surge in cyberattacks are hurting small businesses across the country, hitting everyone from neighborhood retailers to service-industry shops.
According to the opening remarks, many small-business owners are forced to divert precious resources into security systems and loss prevention rather than hiring, expanding, or innovating.
Representing more than 65,000 small-business owners, NSBA members know too well how damaging this climate can be. The costs and unpredictability of crime, be it physical or digital, can cripple a small business' ability to stay afloat, let alone grow.
That’s why we are doubling down on our commitment to:
Advocate for stronger protections and sensible policies safeguarding Main Street from rising crime and repeat offenders.
Ensure small businesses get the tools and support they need to defend against cyber threats, ransomware, fraud, and other online attacks that disproportionately target smaller firms.
Include security as a fundamental part of the small-business agenda when Congress and regulators debate policy, because, without safety and stability, entrepreneurs cannot plan for the future.
The bottom line for NSBA is simple: small businesses should operate in safe communities, free from fear of theft, violence, or digital exploitation. They deserve fair enforcement of laws, support for cybersecurity measures, and a public-policy environment that acknowledges the unique vulnerabilities of smaller firms.
This week's hearing makes clear: the threats are real, the stakes are high, and the time for action is now. NSBA stands ready alongside our members to ensure Main Street is protected, resilient, and empowered.
If you run a business and have experienced theft, fraud, or digital attack, we want to hear from you. Your voice matters. Share your story with us so we can take it to lawmakers — because small-business owners deserve more than temporary fixes. They deserve real safety, stability, and respect.
