National Write Your Congressman

"Small business owners are concerned about how the election results may affect their business and are grim on the current U.S. economy," said Randy Ford, President and COO of National Write Your Congressman. "While it is encouraging to see business owners’ trust, satisfaction, and hope in Congress have increased over the last four years, we know there are still feelings of uncertainty and fear. We encourage our members to continue using their voice to ensure their business priorities are heard in Washington."

: https://bit.ly/3WK0zAj

U.S. small businesses expressing historic trust in Congress, yet economic shadows loom large. According to the Q2 , 67% anticipate an economic downturn. Microsoft shares the full report: https://bit.ly/3YG9jdm

: S.4973 - "No Kings Act"

Senate Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has introduced legislation that would allow presidents and vice presidents to be prosecuted for federal crimes, effectively undoing the Supreme Court's recent immunity ruling. The No Kings Act would reaffirm that the President is not immune to legal accountability and ensure the Supreme Court cannot upend that most basic principle again.

Know of this legislation and now: https://bit.ly/3WD1NNW

Our Q2 revealed that two-thirds of small business owners fear an economic downturn in the near future. Eighty-three percent anticipate a positive impact on their business if former President Trump is elected in November. How do you think your business will be affected by the election?

Complete Index Findings: https://bit.ly/3zPoQx4
*The survey was completed prior to President Biden dropping out of the 2024 election.

On , we spotlight David Lockridge, owner of L & L Asphalt Corporation in Tyler, Texas. David has been a member since 1980! On a recent visit to his business, he stated that "he KNOWS firsthand that the People’s voice makes a difference." David uses his voice to inform and influence Congressman Nathaniel Moran, Senator John Cornyn, and Senator Ted Cruz on the issues that matter most to his family and his small business. He is pictured here with his NWYC sales rep, Joal Devendorf. Thank you for using your voice for America.

Is a government shutdown in September again a possibility? Legislators hope to bypass this shutdown deadline without much trouble. House Appropriations Chair Congressman Tom Cole says he expects minimal obstacles to passing a short-term spending plan. Learn more via POLITICO.

Inflation is wreaking havoc on small businesses across America. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce shares five strategies to help keep your customers satisfied as well as your bottom line healthy.

5 Small Business Inflation Busting Strategies Inflation impacts small businesses, but you can still offer value to customers without hurting your bottom line. Find ways to attract customers and prove your business is worth their money.

What are your biggest concerns ahead for your small business? In our Q2 , our members like Mike Spearman of 4S Sign and Supply in Gaffney, SC, shared their hopes and concerns about the changing business landscape ahead of the 2024 presidential election.

Index findings: https://bit.ly/3zPoQx4

Vice President Kamala Harris has selected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as her running mate. His dedication to middle-class families, background with the National Guard, and shared family values were said to influence her decision. Learn more via The Hill.

Harris picks Walz for vice president Vice President Harris has chosen Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) to be her running mate as she heads toward a November faceoff against former President Trump, she announced Tuesday.…

Entrepreneur shares the findings from Q2 with some surprising findings from small business owners. Thanks for the share!

What Small Business Owners Care About This Election: Survey | Entrepreneur Small business organization, National Write Your Congressman (NWYC), released its Q2 2024 Index measuring how business owners feel about Congress, the 2024 presidential election and the direction of the U.S. economy.

The U.S. economy demonstrated an impressive bounce back in Q2 with a robust 2.8% surge in the GDP! Despite signs of a cool-down from last year, the figures depict a solid two-year expansion. The Washington Post explores these statistics.

U.S. economy grew 2.8% in second quarter, a robust unexpected strengthening Fresh data from the Commerce Department on Thursday showed that gross domestic product grew at a 2.8 percent annualized rate.

ASBN Small Business Network recently shared our Q2 , revealing that while small business owners' trust, satisfaction, and hope in Congress have reached their highest levels since 2020, over 67% are concerned about the U.S. economy’s direction. Explore more findings and comments from small business owners here: https://bit.ly/3zPoQx4

Small business trust in Congress rises despite economic concerns, NWYC Q2 2024 Index Shows NWYC has released its Q2 2024 Index, revealing that small business owners' trust in Congress have reached their highest levels since 2020.

: H.R.4423 - Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act
The Supreme Court Term Limits Act fundamentally reframes the power of our nation’s highest court. The bill would establish 18-year term limits on any Supreme Court Justices approved after his bill’s passage. After their 18-year terms, justices would then be allowed to continue their service on lower courts, as former Justices Souter and O’Connor currently do. Current justices would be exempt from the term limits. Going forward, the bill would then create a regular appointment process to allow every president to nominate a new justice to the Supreme Court during each odd year, guaranteeing each president the opportunity to nominate two justices per four-year term.

Know and : Do you think Congress should pass H.R.4423, the Supreme Court Term Limits and Regular Appointments Act?
https://bit.ly/3Wkp1YW

The next presidential election is less than 100 days away. Our Q2 found small business owners want candidates to address these key issues as they decide who to support with their vote. What issue is most important to you and your business? Explore complete index findings: https://bit.ly/3zPoQx4

Today, the United States’s national debt reached another alarming milestone – our national debt is a staggering $35 trillion. House Budget Committee GOP Chairman Congressman Jodey Arrington (R-TX) released the following statement on this milestone:
The gross national debt is currently $35 trillion. This equates to:
$104,497 per person
$266,275 per household
$483,889 per child

The debt one year ago was $32.65 trillion, meaning that the debt has increased by $2.35 trillion over the past 12 months. This rate of increase equates to:
$196 billion in new debt per month
$6.4 billion in new debt per day
$268 million in new debt per hour
$4.5 million in new debt per minute
$74,401 in new debt per second
The U.S. Department of the Treasury reports the amount of debt outstanding at the end of the previous business day. The report can be found here: https://bit.ly/4bMicG6

Can artificial intelligence fill in the gaps for small business owners, filling roles such as customer service and financial bookkeeping? Discover how AI might help you up your game via Forbes.

Council Post: How AI Empowers Small Business Owners So how exactly can AI level up our small business game? Here are three areas.

Less than two percent of small business respondents in our recent Q2 think the economy is heading in the right direction. What do you think?

Explore complete index findings here: https://bit.ly/3zPoQx4

“Nothing, nothing can come in the way of saving our democracy. That includes personal ambition. So, I decided the best way forward is to pass the torch to a new generation. It’s the best way to unite our nation,” said President Joe Biden in his address to the nation last night. More via The Hill. Did you watch the address? What did you think?

Biden in Oval Office speech says he dropped out to unite Democrats President Biden, in an address from the Oval Office, said he decided to end his reelection bid when it became clear that was how he could unite Democrats after weeks of intraparty chaos and mountin…

Confidence in small businesses remains high despite mostly flat reviews of other U.S. institutions. Small businesses and the military have continued to lead in public trust in polls since 1989. Learn more via Gallup.

Thank you to our small business members for standing strong and remaining an integral part of your communities.

U.S. Confidence in Institutions Mostly Flat, but Police Up Americans' confidence in the police has increased eight points since last year, but average confidence across 14 U.S. institutions remains historically low.

Just released! The Q2 found business owners’ trust, satisfaction, and hope in Congress at its highest level since 2020, but more than 67 percent of business owners are concerned and fearful the U.S. economy is moving in the wrong direction. Complete findings: https://bit.ly/3zPoQx4.

In the face of the Democrats' unprecedented move to nominate a new candidate following President Biden's decision to leave the race, leading members of the Republican party have suggested potential legal action. Legal experts have expressed skepticism about the potential success of these challenges. More via CNN.

Legal experts are dubious of any court challenge to Democrats’ move to put forward new nominee | CNN Politics Legal challenges to Democrats’ move to nominate a new presidential candidate in the wake of President Joe Biden’s unprecedented decision to drop out of the 2024 race stand little likelihood of success, election law experts told CNN.

Stay informed and avoid scams! The IRS has issued a consumer alert about a non-existent 'Self Employment Tax Credit.' Don't be misled into filing false claims! For official updates, click here: https://bit.ly/3LsVo2u

: No Tax on Tips Act
Legislation has been introduced to exempt tips from being subject to taxation under the federal income tax. Specifically, the bill exempts “cash tips” – cash, credit and debit card charges, and checks – from federal income tax by allowing taxpayers to claim a 100% above-the-line deduction at filing for tipped wages.

Should tips be exempt from income tax? Respond in comments.
Yes
No
Undecided

Last week, the House passed legislation necessitating proof of citizenship for voter registration despite data suggesting that non-citizens illegally participate in federal elections at a low frequency. The bill is not projected to progress in the Democratic-led Senate. Do you think proof of citizenship should be required to vote? Learn more via PBS NewsHour.

House passes bill requiring proof of citizenship to vote, fanning a GOP election-year talking point The U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration, a proposal Republicans have prioritized even as research shows noncitizens illegally registering and casting ballots in federal elections is exceptionally rare.

: H.R.1507 - Stop Corporate Capture Act (Codify the Chevron Doctrine)

The Stop Corporate Capture Act aims to reduce corporate influence in the regulatory process, increasing transparency, and enhancing public accountability in federal rule-making. Introduced by Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), the Act addresses concerns about regulatory capture, where regulatory agencies are influenced or controlled by the industries they are supposed to regulate. This bill modifies the process for federal agency rulemaking. Understand what this means for executive branch agencies via AP.

: Should Congress pass legislation to limit business input in the regulatory process, with the goal of increasing transparency and accountability? https://bit.ly/3S4j80v

What it means for the Supreme Court to throw out Chevron decision, undercutting federal regulators Executive branch agencies will likely have more difficulty regulating the environment, public health, workplace safety and other issues under a far-reaching decision Friday by the Supreme Court.

We join in the prayers and sentiments of the leaders and citizens of our Nation for former President Trump and his family, as well as the victims and their families. Violence against elected officials should never be condoned. We are all Americans.

Sincerely,
Randy Ford, President
Chris Adamson, CEO

Recent data from a KFF Health News poll identifies healthcare as the leading expense causing concern for Americans, surpassing even gas, food, and housing costs. The Brookings Institution examines the top issues on the minds of Americans. What is your top concern heading into the 2024 election?

Health care costs are a top concern for voters in the 2024 election | Brookings A May 2024 poll by Pew found that health care was the third-highest issue priority for voters, garnering a robust 57% from respondents.

Is achieving the American dream still possible? As a small business owner, do you believe your hard work and determination will help you to achieve that dream? Pew Research Center explored Americans' views in a recent survey.

Americans are split over the state of the American dream Americans ages 50 and older are more likely than younger adults to say the American dream is still possible.

The Supreme Court of the United States's rulings this term have the potential to affect many aspects of American life. PBS NewsHour explores the undercurrents of their most recent rulings. What are your thoughts on ' major rulings?

6 big takeaways from this historic Supreme Court term Despite former President Donald Trump’s dominance of the docket, much more happened in rulings that may affect multiple aspects of American lives.

A microloan, a concept that started in 1974, could be an option for your small business. It has now become a popular option for businesses looking for smaller loan amounts than major banks may choose to provide. Explore your options via Inc. Magazine. https://bit.ly/3zAk6vl