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Rep. Roger Williams has been tapped to helm the House, with Sen. Ben Cardin at the reins in the Senate. Now that the U.S. House of Representatives has its Speaker, the Republican Steering Committee has officially named Chairs for the various Committees. Under their newly-appointed Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), House Democrats will assume the minority position, with its seniors becoming Ranking Members, and the balance of the makeup of general committee assignments likely to be determined this week. Stepping up as Chair for the House Small Business Committee, Rep. Roger Williams (R-Texas) will be working with Ranking Member Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.). The House Small Business Committee oversees the U.S. Small Business Administration and its programs, as well as a host of other key small-business issues including regulatory fairness, federal contracting access to capital and tax fairness. A former car dealer, Chair Williams has been in Congress since 2013. Across the Capitol, the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Chair will be Sen. Ben Cardin (D-M.D.) and Ranking member is Sen. Rand Paul (R-K.Y.)—both of whom held leadership positions in the previous session of Congress. NSBA welcomes Chair Williams as he takes leadership of the House Small Business Committee, and looks forward to continuing our work with Sens. Cardin and Paul, and Rep. Velazquez. Education and Workforce Committee | North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx will become Republican chair, and Rep. Bobby Scott (D-Va.) will serve as ranking member for the Dems. Formerly known as the Education and Labor Committee before a Republican rebrand this Congress, E&W is the committee with authority over labor policy, including federal education and workforce programs. Rep. Foxx has already served as chair of the committee for three nonconsecutive terms. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) | Washington Senator Patty Muarry (D) is serving as chair for the 118th Congress, with Republican Senator Richard Burry (NC) serving as ranking member. The committee began in 1869 as the Committee on Education and in 1884 through the mid-1900s it was known as the Education and Labor Committee. In 1999, then Chairman James Jeffords of Vermont, worked to officially name it the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. Today the Committee is comprised of 22 Senators; 11 Democrats and 11 Republicans. Under their leadership, the Committee is composed of three subcommittees, which have a broad jurisdiction over our country's health care, education, employment, and retirement policies. Ways & Means | One of the most powerful committees with jurisdiction over tax policy and finance, Rep. Jason Smith (R-Mo.) will become Chair, with Rep. Richie Neal (D-Mass.) serving as Ranking Member. Senate Committee on Finance | The Finance Committee is the Senate’s counterpart to Ways & Means, and will be chaired by Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) with Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) working as its Ranking Member. As the chief tax-writing panel, W&M (where tax provisions must originate) and Finance have jurisdiction over all taxation matters and programs such as Social Security and Medicare. Financial Services | Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C. will chair the Financial Services Committee, with Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) serving as ranking member. The Financial Services Committee is tasked with the oversight of the financial services industry, like bank policy, including the Federal Reserve, the Department of Treasury and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Rep. McHenry was the committee’s ranking member in the last Congress. Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs | The Chair is Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). A ranking member has not been named according to the website of the Senate Clerk. Armed Services | The committee with authority over military policy, Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) will chair HASC, with Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) serving as Ranking Member. The Armed Services Committee oversees and funds the Department of Defense and U.S. Armed Forces. It is annually responsible for the National Defense Authorization Act, which lays out the budget for Defense. Senate Committee on Armed Services | The Chair is Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.). A ranking member has not been named according to the website of the Senate Clerk. Homeland Security | Responsible for regulating policy, like border security and TSA, Rep. Mark Green (R-Tenn.) will become Chairman, with Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) serving as Ranking Member. The Homeland Security Committee has jurisdiction over legislation related to the security of the U.S. and oversees the Department of Homeland Security. The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Gov. Affairs | Chair is Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.). A ranking member has not been named according to the website of the Senate Clerk. Foreign Affairs | Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) will chair Foreign Affairs, with Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-N.Y.) serving as the senior-most Democrat on the committee. The Foreign Affairs Committee has broad jurisdiction to oversee legislation and investigations that concern U.S. foreign policy. It also oversees the Department of State. IN THE SENATE | Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) will continue to chair the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, with Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) continuing his work as its Ranking Member. Budget | West Texan Republican Jodey Arrington will Chair the Budget Committee alongside Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.) as Ranking Member. This committee will play a big role in coming fights over spending and raising the debt ceiling, Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Ver.) will chair the Senate Committee on the Budget, with Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) working as its Ranking Member. Oversight | Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) will chair the newly renamed House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, working alongside Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) as ranking member. The Oversight and Accountability Committee is the main investigative body in the House. Rep. Comer said he will aggressively investigate questionable behavior of federal officials. Appropriations | Rep. Kay Granger, will continue her reign as chair of the Appropriations Committee, with Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) as her Democratic counterpart. One of the most powerful panels in Congress, the Appropriations Committee allocates federal funds to government agencies and regulates federal expenditures. IN THE SENATE | A chair nor ranking member have been named at this time according to the website of the Senate Clerk. Agriculture Committee | Rep. Glen Thompson, R-Pa. will chair the Agriculture Committee, with Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) serving as ranking member. The Agriculture Committee has jurisdiction over federal agricultural policies and retains oversight duty of a number of federal agencies, including the Department of Agriculture. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) will chair the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, with Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) working as its Ranking Member. Energy and Commerce Committee | Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.) will chair, with Rep. Frank Pallone (D-N.J.) serving as ranking member. The Energy and Commerce Committee has oversight of a broad swath of issues, including telecommunications, consumer protection, food and drug safety, public health, energy supply and delivery and foreign and domestic commerce. The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources | The Chair is Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W.V.). Sen. John Barrasso (R-Wy.) is its Ranking Member. Judiciary | Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) will chair, with Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) serving as Ranking Member The Judiciary Committee oversees federal courts and issues of justice within federal agencies and law enforcement. In the Senate, this committee is responsible for confirming judges and other judicial-related nominees. Senate Judiciary | TheChair is Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.). Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is its Ranking Member. Natural Resources | Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark) will chair Natural Resources Committee in the House, with Rep. Raul Frijalva (D-Ariz) serving as ranking member. The Natural Resources Committee considers legislation related to energy production, mining, fisheries, wildlife, public lands and Native Americans. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works | The Chair is Sen. Thomas Carper (D-Del.). Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.V.) is its Ranking Member. Science, Space and Technology | Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) will chair alongside Ranking Member Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.). The Science, Space and Technology Committee has jurisdiction over federal scientific research and development that does not include defense. It includes oversight of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. House Transportation and Infrastructure | Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo) will chair the T&I Committee, with Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wa.) working alongside as Ranking Member. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation in the U.S., including roads, highways, dams, skies and railroads. Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee | The Chair is Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.). Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) is its Ranking Member. Veterans’ Affairs | Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.) will lead Veterans’ Affairs as chair, with Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) working as Ranking Member. The Veterans’ Affairs Committee oversees the Department of Veterans Affairs and reviews legislation concerning military veterans. Sen. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) will chair the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, with Sen. Jerry Moran (R-Kans.) working as its Ranking Member. Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence | Rep. Mike Turner (R-Ohio) will lead this committee, with Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) working as Ranking Member. The Intelligence Committee is a permanent select committee that is charged with oversight of the U.S. intelligence community, including the Central Intelligence Agency. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Virg.) will chair the Select Committee on Intelligence, with Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) working as its Vice Chair. The following committees are exclusive to the Senate with no House counterpart: Senate Special Committee on Aging | The Chair is Sen. Robert Casey (D-Penn.). Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) is its Ranking Member. Senate Select Committee on Ethics | The Chair is Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.). Sen. James Lankford (R-Okla.) is its Vice Chair. Senate Committee on Rules and Administration | The Chair is Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.). A ranking member has not been named according to the website of the Senate Clerk. Check back as NSBA continues to monitor administration of the new 118th Session of Congress and we continue our outreach on behalf of small business owners and their potential to impact the greater economy.

New Small Business Leaders Take the Helm at NSBA. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jan. 17, 2023 Contact | Molly Day 202-552-2904 mday@nsba.biz Washington, D.C. – The National Small Business Association (NSBA) is kicking off 2023 with new Board leadership led by Bob Treiber, co-founder and president of Boston Engineering which provides product design and engineering consulting from concept development through commercialization. Treiber has been an active member of the NSBA Board of Trustees for nearly 10 years. “Bob brings to the table his keen eye for process improvements and always urges us to ask ourselves why; he pushes us to be purposeful, efficient and true to our core mission,” stated NSBA President Todd McCracken. “Bob’s drive to continually examine what we do and how we do it has helped NSBA grow and adapt, and his leadership will be particularly well-suited as we continue to move past the pandemic in 2023.” Joining Mr. Treiber in leadership positions on the NSBA Board of Trustees for 2023 are: Marilyn Wilson Lund of WAV Group in Laguna Beach, California, as First Vice Chair; Michael Canty of Allow Bellows and Precision Molding in Cleveland, Ohio, as Secretary; Malcolm Prouty of LeProuty Properties in Austin, Texas, as Treasurer; Bill Belknap of AEONRG in Downington, Pennsylvania, as Vice Chair for Advocacy; Kevin Johnson of NexGen Interactive in Cleveland, Ohio, as Vice Chair for Communications; Joan Myers of Strategic Link Partners in Moncure, North Carolina, as Vice Chair for Membership; and Michael Stanek of Hunt Imaging LLC in Berea, Ohio, as Immediate Past Chair. “Like many small-business owners, I often marvel at the way Congress operates and oftentimes doesn’t. Which is what makes organizations like NSBA so important—not just to me and the millions of other small-business owners like me, but for future business owners and entrepreneurs,” stated Treiber. “I look forward to ensuring that the needs of small business are top-of-mind for policymakers in D.C. and am confident that small business can be a shining example for lawmakers on how pragmatism and nonpartisanship can get the job done.” Please click here for more on NSBA’s Board of Trustees. Celebrating more than 85 years in operation, NSBA is a member-driven 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.nsba.biz and follow us at @NSBAAdvocate. ### NSBA Board of Trustees 2023 Left to Right | Vice Chair of Advocacy Bill Belknap; First Vice Chair Mairlyn Wilson Lund; Immediate Past Chair Michael Stanek; Chair Bob Treiber; Secretary Michael Canty; Vice Chair for Communications Kevin Johnson; Vice Chair of Membership Joan Myers

“…losing my job, I gained more than I ever could have dreamed.” “I think you should be an entrepreneur.” Twenty year ago, Olalah Njenga was looking for options after being laid off from a job with a leading global corporation that relocated her family from Chicago to North Carolina’s famous “Research Triangle” area. However, after meeting with a local outplacement center, she received what seemed to be an unpromising response: “…Based on your profile assessments, there’s no job for you.” The director then said, “I think you should be an entrepreneur.” While Ms. Njenga was initially disheartened by the advice she received, the career advisor’s remarks ignited a lifechanging decision. Ms. Njenga says, “What started out at my dining room table as one project for one client, evolved into a 20-year journey of life, leadership and legacy.” Since beginning her career in entrepreneurship, Ms. Njenga has captained a series of highly successful ventures, including founding a fractional c-level firm called Management, LLC; and founding YellowWood Group, a business strategy consultancy. Ms. Njenga also is one of North Carolina’s most accomplished small-business advocates, holding many prestigious advocacy posts, including a governor-appointed role as Commissioner of Small Business on North Carolina’s NCWorks Commission - a leadership role Ms. Njenga has held under two governors from opposing political parties. Ms. Njenga has served on her state’s Small Business Needs & Assessments committee, the Governor’s Advisory Council, and as president of the National Association of Women Business Owners’ (NAWBO) Greater Raleigh chapter. Ms. Njenga also has taken the small-business fight to the media, having served as a contributing expert on small-business issues for CBS affiliate WNCN TV and as a contributing columnist for the Raleigh-based News & Observer family of publications. This month, we are celebrating Ms. Njenga's first year of service on the NSBA Board of Trustees and her fourth year of involvement with the NSBA, which began when she was appointed to the NSBA Leadership Council in January of 2019. Her involvement has provided tremendous perspective to our pursuit of small-business policy, and stories like hers are what have served as the foundation of our advocacy efforts for nearly 100 years. When thinking about her tremendous achievements over the past two decades, Ms. Njenga reflected, “In losing my job, I gained more than I ever could have dreamed.” Connect with NSBA and learn about the big ways entrepreneurs like Ms. Njenga are shaping policy and improving the ability of small businesses in the U.S. to grow and prosper.

A few new points for small business owners to note for the start of this new year. New year. New Internal Revenue Service (IRS) optional standard mileage rates for 2023. The IRS recently announced new mileage rates for computing the deductible cost of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical, or moving purposes which notably includes a three-cent per mile increase for businesses. These new rates went into effect Jan. 1, including the following specifics: 65.5 cents per mile driven for business use, up from 62.5 cents for business transportation. The rate for medical or moving purposes in 2023 will remain at 22 cents per mile. The rate per mile driven in service of charitable organizations remains unchanged from 2022 at 14 cents. Rates are applicable to electric and hybrid-electric vehicles, as well as gas and diesel-powered automobiles. For some context on why these changes occurred, mileage rates for businesses are calculated according to an annual study of the costs of operating a car; whereas variable cost set the rate for medical and moving purposes. Employers that reimburse employees for business transport based on mileage should note this increase in mileage rates, with a reminder that any payments to an employee based on business travel at a rate more than the IRS standard rate generally is taxable income to the employee. There is no legal requirement that employees be reimbursed at the IRS standard rate, many employers have a policy of doing so. Follow NSBA as we track tax policy in this Congress and their policies effects on our small business community.

NSBA and SBEA are working to keep American small business and opportunities for exporters at the center of trade considerations. As the 118th Congress kicks off with split majorities in the Senate and House, it remains to be seen how prominent an issue global trade will be. Last year, the Biden Administration launched economic initiatives in the Indo-Pacific regions, expanded export controls on Chinese entities and adopted contested industrial subsidies. The effects of these commitments and expansions are still taking shape, but, trade watchers believe there will be consensus and common ground for Congress to coalesce around on certain trade policies. This includes supporting American businesses and workers through strengthened foreign policy; implementing commercially-meaningful trade agreements with key partners in the Western Hemisphere; and Congress actioning programs, like the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill, as well as furthering oversight on trade ties with China. House Republicans are assembling a new special panel to oversee competition with China, with particular focus on protecting American intellectual property and tech. Even with the Chinese Ambassador in Washington recently being appointed as the new Chinese Foreign Minister – a sign of China’s interest in his American-influenced perspective in shaping its foreign policy – oversight of competition with a formalized congressional committee has the potential to heighten trade tensions between China and the U.S. Beyond China, a quadrilateral dialogue between the U.S., Japan, Australia, and India is expected to continue, taking on its increasing importance in the region. As trade, foreign relations and intellectual property protections are considered this Congress, follow NSBA and the Small Business Exporters Association (SBEA) as we pursue productive policies to position small business at the center of these considerations.

...sort of. Gloves are off for the sparring showdown of the 118th Session on which strategies will shine and truly serve Americans’ growing needs this Congress. UPDATE | 15 was the magic number for the times it took for Republicans to vote Rep. McCarthy as the Majority Leader Speaker for the 118th Session of Congress. For some context, things could have been worse, with Speaker ballots taking over 100 times to pass in years past. Up first, Speaker McCarthy has pledged his Grand 'Ole Party will repeal the $80 billion imparted to the IRS for expanded services and new agent hiring by the Inflation Reduction Act last year. Kicking off the start of the 118th Session of Congress, the 435 Members of the House are at a standstill, stalled by inner-party squabbling over Speaker leadership for the new majority Republicans. Working with at least 195 supporters, Rep. Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) bid for Speaker continues to fail, falling short of the 218 votes needed to secure the gavel. Dissenting Republicans say they cannot support McCarthy and his reputation for embodying the Washington establishment they are committed to defeating. Stepping into their new minority position, Democrats addressed shifts in their leadership following Nancy Pelosi’s departure with less disruption, naming Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) as Minority Leader. Across the Capitol, Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) resumed his role as Majority Leader of the Senate, and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) resumes his position as Minority Leader under a new record for the upper chamber as its longest serving leader. The House will not be able to adopt a rules package for legislative procedure this Session or swear in its new Members without a named Majority Leader. Without a means of moving forward administratively, the legislative outlook does not look good for the impending must-pass laws rapidly coming due. In addition to items like addressing the debt ceiling limit and implementing a longer-term budget, intense political battles in both chambers are likely this session, with issues like immigration and energy production crises reaching a boiling point. NSBA will be closely tracking committee assignments and leadership roles as administrative matters are finalized. Stay tuned, and follow NSBA for updates.

Before its wheels up, Congress is getting down to business to address federal spending through next September. UPDATE: The House passed the omnibus spending package Thursday afternoon, largely along party lines 225-201. The legislation will fund the government through fall next year, signed into effect by President Biden on Jan. 31, 2022, from his vacation dwelling in St. Croix over the holiday. Up next in Congress: debates on the debt ceiling. Following passage of a one-week continuing resolution (CR) spending bill last week, yesterday afternoon, the Senate passed its version of a longer-term $1.7 trillion omnibus spending package to fund the government through Sept. 30, 2023. The bill includes funding for more than 7,500 special interest projects across Members of Congress’ Districts and home States, some $2 billion in aid for Ukraine, $850 billion for the military, and $773 billion for American domestic programs. The House is set to vote on the legislation as soon as today. Among the standard rhetorical complaints from Congress, several Members from both parties in the House said they would not support the spending package out of principle, standing firm in their beliefs of the importance of returning to regular order for approving and authorizing the 12 standalone appropriations bills. The omnibus in its current form includes provisions from expanding Medicaid benefits, to enacting policies meant to help Americans save for retirement, including provisions intended to: 1) boost savers’ credit by creating a type of government match program for low-income retirement savers, and 2) expand automatic enrollment in retirement plans. The bill also includes a few small-business wins: Inclusion of the Securing a Strong Retirement Act of 2022 and the Enhancing American Retirement Now (EARN) Act, two bipartisan bills that will make it easier and fairer for small-business owners and their employees to save for retirement; Incentives for small businesses to start pension plans; An increase in minimum distribution age of savers from 72 to 75 and increase the amount of so-called “catch-up” contributions; and The ability for employers to treat payments of student loans as retirement contributions for matching purposes. Despite the known “no” votes and more than 150 proxy waivers filed for House Members to vote absentee, the Democrats have the numbers necessary to secure passage of the omnibus, and such action is expected to be Congress’ final act of the 117th Session. Few changes from the Senate version of the omnibus are anticipated. Follow NSBA, and check back here for all the latest from Capitol Hill.

The greatest gift is your commitment to small business! Cheers to another great year and year to come! Seasons Greetings from NSBA! As we reach the end of 2022 and look forward to an exciting and productive new year, I want to thank you for being a part of the big steps NSBA took for small business this year. NSBA spent 2022 working hard to ensure a seat for small business at the policymaking table every chance we got. Our staff and volunteer leadership have worked on the issues that matter most to small businesses everywhere. Despite 2022’s strong partisan headwinds, NSBA is proud of the work we’ve done for small business and stands ready to take on a refreshed slate of priorities in the coming year. Thanks to our longstanding legacy of nonpartisan work as America’s oldest advocate for small business, NSBA was able to call on its extensive network of lawmakers, regulators, elected officials, and, of course, our membership, to achieve a number of extraordinary wins, including: A 3-year reauthorization of Small Business Research Innovation (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. These critical programs create opportunities for small-businesses—the most innovative sector of our economy—to participate in our most important federal research and development programs. SBIR has been enormously successful in delivering necessary federal research while bolstering the small business community. Following a highly contentious process in the Senate, lawmakers’ last-minute efforts to extend the program finally came to fruition just days prior to the Sept. 30 expiration deadline. NSBA and its Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) Executive Chairman Jere Glover particularly applaud Sen. Ben Cardin (D-Md.), and Reps. Nydia Velazquez (D-NY) and Blaine Leutkemeyer (R-Mo.) for their leadership and willingness to compromise to ensure the stability and long-term success of this program, and we look forward to continuing to push for permanency of this important program. Standing up against the Corporate Transparency Act. The Corporate Transparency Act (CTA) was signed into law Dec. 2020 and is set to go into effect in a matter of months. This law will require ONLY small businesses with fewer than 20 employees to disclose detailed, personal information of beneficial owners to the Department of Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). While we support the goal of stemming money laundering, this law is not just bad policy, it is unconstitutional, which is why we’ve filed suit in federal court to challenge big banks’ efforts to pass their responsibility to small business. With nearly five dozen influential organizations publicly supporting the suit, some of the best constitutional lawyers in the country on our team, and an arsenal of information on why this law is bad policy, we are confident the federal judiciary, Congress, and entire country will see that the CTA in its current form is not the way. A return to in-person engagement on Capitol Hill and beyond. These crucial interactions help build the relationships between small-business owners and elected officials, elevating critical small-business policy. After more than two years of virtual work, NSBA was thrilled to be able to come together face-to-face for our annual Washington Presentation fly in, where nearly 200 small-business owners came to Washington, D.C., to meet with colleagues and Congress. The countless conversations had between NSBA members and their Members of Congress were invaluable to advancing our priorities in Congress and beyond. Recognizing outstanding small-business leaders. In conjunction with the Washington Presentation, NSBA honored five small-business leaders as finalists for the 2022 Lewis Shattuck Small Business Advocate of the Year Award, naming ML Mackey of Beacon Interactive Systems in Waltham, Mass., our overall all winner. We are looking forward to continuing our in-person programming early next year with the Small Business Congress Feb. 7-8 and improving our virtual interactions in the meantime! Strengthening the NSBA network. NSBA had a record year for partnership and member growth. By linking up with companies like Dell, GoTo, and Stax--to name just a few--NSBA was able to expand its outreach and offerings to members and potential new small-business owners to join our cause. NSBA proudly welcomed more than 200 new advocates to our NSBA Leadership Council, which continues to engage dynamic small business leaders from across the nation. Looking ahead, NSBA is tracking several regulatory changes expected to take effect beginning in 2023, including pending changes to the Department of Labor’s independent contractor standard, as well as the National Labor Relations Board’s prospective changes to the joint-employer standard. We submitted strong comments on these agencies’ respective proposed rule changes underscoring how their effects will impose undue costs on small businesses. Have you joined an NSBA issue committee yet? For more information on how you can get into the nitty gritty of the policies that dictate how your small business operates, reach out to Ian Elsenbach any time at ielsenbach@nsba.biz. NSBA is not only making a stand with policymakers inside the D.C. Beltway, our message is being heard far-and-wide. NSBA’s achievements and expertise have been cited by high profile media outlets across the country, including Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Associated Press, USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, CNBC, MSNBC, and the CBS Evening News. Thanks to the extraordinary commitments of our membership and entire small-business community, NSBA is making news of the day everywhere you turn. We also continue to produce highly-cited reports and surveys including: the Business Planning & Digital Utilization Survey, taking an accounting of small-business owners’ anticipation of the future; our Economic Report – providing insights into the state of small business; our Exporting Survey - illuminating the challenges of exporting in today’s world; and our Politics of Small Business Survey - generating a glimpse into small-business owners’ positioning on policy and party dynamics. Data shared by our members participating in these surveys is an essential part of NSBA’s value and place among the advocacy landscape in Washington. We also rolled out a new website for NSBA.biz. It’s streamlined, sleek and will make it much easier to find the information you’re looking for. We will continue to up our game where content is concerned – our goal is to get you the information you need as quickly and easily as possible. NSBA has had some internal changes this year, too. As sad as we were to see Jody Milanese retire from our ranks after nearly two decades of work supporting our government affairs and lobbying, NSBA was thrilled to be able to welcome Ian, our new manager of membership services, and Chana Elgin, manager of digital and legislative content, as we ramp up our means of engagement with Congress, NSBA members, and more. We’d love to have you jump in on the action! First up in 2023, is NSBA’s biennial Small Business Congress, hosted this coming Feb. 7-8 in the heart of downtown D.C. at the Hotel Washington, mere steps from the White House. If you haven’t attended before, now is your chance to register to raise your hand and voice for the small-business policies affecting and most important to you. SBC is not only an excellent networking and educational opportunity, but it’s where we form our highly anticipated and sought-after issue briefs, used by everyone from Congress to local community leaders. Busy as we are, and busy as we know you are as a small-business owner, there is still much to do, but we’re looking forward to tackling these issues together – the best gift we could ever hope for! If you haven’t seen us online, refresh your browser, and join our initiative to raise our profiles across social platforms, like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. As we wrap-up 2022, I would like to send best wishes to you and your family, and your employees and their families, for a safe and happy holiday season from NSBA staff and leadership. Happy Holidays, Todd McCracken President

Looming questions about federal funding are growing more ominous ahead of Congress’ year-end recess. UPDATE: The House and Senate passed a one-week stopgap spending bill this week intended to avert a government shutdown through Dec. 23. On an upswing of productivity after overwhelming passage of the NDAA - now headed to the President's desk for signature - lawmakers are optimistic they will arrive at a consensus for a plan to fund the government at least through the spring. D.C. is well on its way to checking out for the holidays, but Congress’ to do list looms large with as the outlook on federal funding grows more ominous. The first sign of stormy weather in Washington this week started when the House stalled on introduction of the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) – a piece of legislation vital to securing and ensuring national security priorities, including defense contracting opportunities for small business. While NDAA has passed steadfastly for more than 80 years, due to back and forth on final amendments to be included in the must-pass legislation, its fate remains uncertain in the final days of the 117th Congress. In addition to the NDAA, Congress must pass spending legislation by Dec. 16 which when the current continuing resolution (CR) funding the federal government runs out. Despite the dark forecast, Senate Appropriations Vice Chairman Richard Shelby (R-Ala.) said he believes it is still possible to organize and pass an omnibus funding mechanism by the end of the year. Sitting down over a difference of about $25 billion in party spending priorities, Sens. Shelby and Appropriations Chair Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) met with President Biden over a bipartisan lunch this week to discuss government funding. While Sen. Shelby’s optimism and belief in regular order fiscal practices are laudable, passing the 12 standalone bills of an omnibus – one for each of the 12 congressional committees – is virtually impossible to do given ample time and certainly not a likelihood with just over a week to accomplish such a major task. As such, lawmakers are floating possibilities for short-term stopgap funding measures, like another CR. Digging in heels, House Republicans are already pushing back on the idea of an omnibus spending bill, citing concerns over unchecked lame duck spending numbers and the downside of a failed omnibus package. A third major concern is taking shape around the harsh reality of the House likely failing to rise to the occasion and pass a substantial spending package as the Republicans’ first task in Jan. following a switch in lower chamber leadership over the midterms. NSBA will continue to closely follow the spending stalemate. Follow us, and check back here for updates this week and all December long.

UPDATE: NSBA submitted comments on the DOL's poorly proposed standard. On Oct. 11, 2022, The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued a new proposed rule to be used for determining whether a worker is an employee or a contractor. The proposal would largely roll-back a similar rulemaking that occurred during the last administration. When determining a worker’s status, the Labor Department is proposing using a multi-factor economic realities test that considers factors of the working relationship to determine whether the worker is truly in business for themselves. The proposed changes would be a “totality-of-the-circumstances” analysis, according to the proposal, evaluating all of the factors involved in the working relationship equally. The rulemaking would rescind a Trump-era rule that outlined a similar multi-factor test, but which gave greater weight to how much control workers have over their job duties and their opportunities for profit or loss when determining whether a worker is an employee or an independent contractor. The current rule is more readily understood and clear than the proposed rule. The current test includes five factors, but two were given far greater weight: the nature and degree of the worker’s control over the work, and the worker’s opportunity for profit or loss based on personal initiative or investment. The new proposal would consider those two factors and four others: investments by the worker and the employer, the degree of permanence of the working relationship, the extent to which the work performed is an integral part of the employer’s business, and the degree of skill and initiative exhibited by the worker. The DOL may also consider “additional factors” beyond those six, according to the proposal. However, the proposal gives no guidance on how these factors interplay and how businesses should make decisions if these factors point in different directions. NSBA believes that these new rules should be withdrawn and the current rules should be given a chance to work. We have crafted draft comments you can personalize and submit through the NSBA Action Center in less than two minutes – please act soon! Comments are due before Dec. 14.

#CTA #NOTtheWAY FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 12, 2022 Contact: Molly Day 202-552-2904 press@nsba.biz Jim Tobin 202-302-8123 jtobin@nsba.biz WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Main Street business community has voiced its support for the National Small Business Association’s (NSBA) lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the Corporate Transparency Act (CTA). The letter was signed by more than 41 trade associations, including the International Franchise Association, National Roofing Contractors Association and the Real Estate Roundtable. Together with NSBA, this broad, wide-ranging coalition represents businesses from every state and every sector of the economy. “The CTA is nothing more than big banks trying to shirk their responsibility onto small business,” said NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken. “Rules already exist that require banks to monitor and report suspicious activities to FinCEN, they simply don’t want to do it anymore.” NSBA has filed a constitutional challenge to the CTA, alleging that that it infringes on the States’ sovereign powers over the formation of entities, exceeds Congress’s power to regulate commerce, is unconstitutionally vague, and infringes upon an individual’s rights to apply for, form, own, and provide for the self-governance of entities under State law. The CTA is a poorly thought out and heavy-handed federal mandate that will be a bureaucratic nightmare for small-business owners who will be forced to spend millions of hours and billions of dollars on paperwork instead of creating jobs and helping grow our economy. Under the CTA, the federal government is creating a national registry that would require small-businesses owners to submit detailed personal information to the Treasury Department’s financial intelligence unit-- FinCEN. “The stated goal of the CTA is to crack down on criminals who use shell companies to launder money, however it relies entirely on bad actors self-reporting their crimes,” stated Brian Reardon of the S Corporation Association. “Not only will the CTA be a massive burden on small companies, it will be wholly ineffective at stemming money laundering.” Please click here to read the letter and learn more. Celebrating more than 85 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.nsba.biz or @NSBAAdvocate.

SBA is working with a number of federal agencies to coordinate a response and proactively implement safeguards to prevent future abuse of similar programs that were so critical to small businesses in need. A new ­report from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis shows the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) revealed third-party and fin-tech companies were the ones with the most occurrences of facilitating fraud for the PPP. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) weighed in on the House report, pointing to the seriousness of the problems of fraud, particularly for programs designed to help small-business owners across the country. Among these extra efforts to address PPP crime, the SBA said it would be launching an investigation into a number of lenders, as well as individuals and other related entities, named in the report. Looking ahead, the SBA and House Select Subcommittee said they will both continue taking corrective action to address the fraud and weak controls exposed at the onset of COVID and the PPP. SBA and House leaders are already committed to working with several federal partner agencies, including: the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the U.S. Dept. of the Treasury, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve and its Board, as well as the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency. The coalition’s objective is simple: “…to ensure all federal financial regulators are coordinated in their efforts and responses to wrongdoing by lenders and PPP beneficiaries.” Read the full House Select Subcommittee report here, and read SBA’s response statement here.