Small Business Roundtable Hosted House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in a National Discussion on Impacts of COVID-19 and American Small Business
Washington, D.C., May 5, 2020 – The Small Business Roundtable (SBR), a coalition of leading small business and entrepreneurship organizations, hosted a national virtual discussion with Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi today. Speaker Pelosi heard from small business owners and participated in a live discussion with American small business advocacy leaders on COVID-19’s ongoing economic impacts.
Small business organizations shared their policy recommendations for the next wave of federal actions and how the U.S. government can support our nation’s small business owners and entrepreneurs during these unprecedented times in our country. SBR partner organizations understand the importance of having a powerful voice at the legislative table as Congress considers historic legislation to shape the future of our economy. America’s more than 30 million small businesses are a critical part of our country’s economic tapestry, we must ensure their rise and sound economic future. When we fail to invest in small business owners, we are failing the future potential of American business, the ability to achieve the American dream for future generations, and the evolution of America’s economic vibrancy.
Below are some advocacy quotes from event participants and SBR partner organizations:
Small Business Roundtable
“Today’s discussion with Speaker Pelosi was an important dialogue ensuring that America’s policy makers understand the need of America’s entrepreneurs. We appreciate the Speaker’s participation and openness to new ideas as we all adjust to a very different economy moving forward. That economy will rely on small businesses to continue their historic role as America’s job creators. We are confident the Speaker and Congress will continue the hard work of addressing this enormous challenge and we commit to working together to be a part of new solutions,” said SBR Co-Executive Directors Rhett Buttle & John Stanford.
United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
“The United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a proud partner of the Small Business Roundtable, we look forward to this collaboration with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to allow small business owners to have a platform to ask important questions about the current economic crisis,” said Ramiro A. Cavazos, President & CEO, United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Small business is the fortitude of the American economy, now more than ever we must conduct necessary advocacy and collaborate with Congressional leaders to ensure that we save the 30 million small businesses that ensure our economic vitality.”
National Association of Women Business Owners
“We appreciate Speaker Pelosi’s unwavering advocacy on behalf of women business owners,” said NAWBO CEO Jen Earle. “We are confident she will continue to work on policy that addresses women business owner concerns, including access to affordable healthcare, an avenue to reliable broadband for virtual business expansion, and inclusion in the regulatory process. To ensure our businesses gain access to capital quickly and efficiently in the wake of future pandemics, we believe bipartisan oversight efforts should include how financial institutions and lending vehicles served small businesses during the pandemic. We value her support in these endeavors.”
Disability:IN
“Disability:IN is proud to partner with the Small Business Roundtable and we are thankful to Speaker Pelosi for taking time to hear from small business owners about the unique challenges they face during this unprecedented time,” said Jill Houghton, President & CEO of Disability:IN. “Speaker Pelosi has long been an advocate for people with disabilities and we look forward to continuing to work with her to ensure that small business owners and entrepreneurs with disabilities are given a voice.”
Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council
“The solutions to helping entrepreneurs and small businesses weather the COVID-19 economic storm will be bipartisan ones, and SBE Council is pleased that we could join in this important discussion with Speaker Pelosi to review innovative ideas. From PPP reforms to incentives that encourage private sector capital investment in startups and small businesses, I am pleased that Speaker Pelosi is open to listening to all of our ideas to help small businesses survive to the other side of this crisis, and eventually thrive,” said SBE Council president & CEO Karen Kerrigan.
National Association for the Self-Employed
“We appreciate having the opportunity to dialogue directly with Speaker Pelosi on the opportunities and challenges the current global health crisis is having on 27 million self-employed and micro-business owners across the country. As we continue to look forward, we need to work in concert with one another to advance public policy solutions that support our nation’s largest segment of business owners, the self-employed. I look forward to this work and strengthening the entrepreneurial spirit of our great country,” said NASE CEO & President Keith Hall.
NextGen Chamber of Commerce
“The NextGen Chamber of Commerce was honored to take part in this important discussion, and welcomes Speaker Pelosi’s leadership and commitment to ensuring the economic recovery is equitable and fair to all American small business owners, most especially our young and next generation entrepreneurs,” said NextGen Chamber of Commerce Chair, Aram Nadjarian.
U.S. Black Chambers, Inc.
“The U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. proudly stands with the Small Business Roundtable and fellow organizations as we discuss and create equitable solutions to protect and bolster the backbone of the American economy, small businesses. We appreciate House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and policymakers alike who are spearheading the cause of making small businesses and Entrepreneurs a legislative priority during these unprecedented times. I hope that today’s dialogue with Speaker Pelosi will successfully re-shape the future of our nation’s 2.7 million Black-owned businesses in the years ahead.”
Asian & Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship
“National ACE is grateful to the Small Business Roundtable for arranging a frank and open discussion with Speaker Pelosi on the impact this crisis is having on the Asian American and Pacific Islander business community. We encourage the Speaker to continue working closely with Leader McConnell and the Administration to find bipartisan solutions to the many challenges that lie ahead for the 2 million AAPI businesses in our country.” – Chiling Tong, President and CEO, Asian & Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE)
National Small Business Association
“Today, nearly half of small businesses are not confident in the future of their own business,”stated NSBA President and CEO Todd McCracken. “I’d like to thank Speaker Pelosi for her time today in hearing from America’s small businesses, and we look forward to working with her to identify next steps for ensuring a vibrant small-business community emerges on the other side of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
In addition to SBR Members, the discussion was joined by Main Street Alliance, Small Business Majority, Business for Responsible Tax Reform and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce.
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The Small Business Roundtable (SBR) is a coalition of leading small business and entrepreneurship organizations, dedicated to advancing policy, securing access, and promoting inclusion to benefit the businesses at the heart of the American economy.
