NSBA PRESS | Small Business Reaction to State of the Union

NSBA applauds the benefits won for small business under the current administration, and we look forward to working with our members to further opportunities for the nation's most important economic community following this evening's State of the Union.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Feb. 24, 2026 

CONTACT | Molly Brogan

202-276-2131 | mbrogan@nsbaadvocate.org

Washington, D.C. – President Donald Trump delivered his official State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress this evening where he focused on immigration, the economy, tariffs and various social policies. He also touted past wins, including legislation NSBA supported which extended and made permanent key tax cuts passed by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). 

Below is a statement from NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken: 

“While tonight’s State of the Union failed to specifically mention small business, NSBA is pleased that President Trump underscored the broad benefits of the 2025 tax bill which has and will continue to benefit many small businesses with parity, predictability and permanency—something NSBA has been urging for many years. 

“President Trump also spent a good deal of time talking about tariffs, vowing to move forward with some version of his tariffs. NSBA’s members are extremely diverse with varying opinions on the tariffs. While there’s a fairly equal split among small-business owners who say they’re impacted and those who are not, two-thirds say they have incurred increased costs in the past year, according to our forthcoming 2026 Economic Report. Among those who have incurred increased costs, three-in-four say those increases are due to the new tariffs. 

“The number one challenge small-business owners face today: economic uncertainty, followed by political instability and a decline in customer spending. Unfortunately, volatile policymaking where tariffs are concerned only exacerbates these issues. This economic insecurity and lack of predictability impacts business sustainability and growth, the ability to access financing and a whole host of other factors that disproportionately harm small businesses.  

“I urge policymakers on both ends of Pennsylvania Ave. to support policies that truly help America’s small businesses: full repeal of the Corporate Transparency Act, rein in the cost of health care, fair and equitable access to capital and federal contracts, and an immigration system that supports business growth and entrepreneurship. 

“I look forward to working with policymakers of all stripes to provide insight and perspective from America’s small businesses as policymakers move forward on key small-business priorities.” 

Celebrating nearly 90 years in operation, NSBA is a staunchly nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of America’s entrepreneurs. NSBA's 65,000 members represent every state and every industry in the U.S., and we are proud to be the nation’s first small-business advocacy organization. Please visit www.NSBAadvocate.org  or follow us at @NSBAAdvocate. 

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