New Poll: Small Businesses Oppose DOGE Actions, SBA Cuts

Washington, D.C.— Small business owners are strongly opposed to DOGE efforts to slash federal government resources, and are particularly alarmed by Trump administration reductions to U.S. Small Business Administration programs, according to a recent survey.

Voice of Main Street, a quarterly opinion poll of entrepreneurs in Small Business Majority’s network, finds that two-thirds of small businesses are opposed to DOGE actions, with 59% strongly opposed. The survey also reveals that 79% of entrepreneurs are concerned about cuts to SBA, such as the 7(a) loan program, with 62% very concerned. Due to these worries, the percentage of small business owners with a positive outlook about their business prospects over the next six months dropped to 44%, down from 58% in the previous Voice of Main Street Survey. More than one-third of small businesses report feeling pessimistic. 

“About three-fourths of my business is either federal contracts or federally funded state contracts, all of which are on hold because of Trump administration actions to reduce or freeze federal funds,” said Shaunna Mozingo, president of The Mozingo Code Group LLC in Thornton, Colo. “I have no idea when they will be released because my clients also have a communication freeze that keeps them from being allowed to talk to us about it. At almost 60 years of age, it will likely make more sense for me to just go back to work for someone else than to keep trying to navigate this uncertainty." 

The decline in small business confidence comes at a time when many entrepreneurs are struggling with lagging sales and uncertain futures. The survey found that over the past three months, business revenues have decreased for 43% of entrepreneurs and stayed the same for 35% over that period. Just 23% of small businesses reported revenue increases. What’s more, profits are falling or stagnating at a moment when business expenses have increased over the past three months for 61% of small businesses. Meanwhile, costs stayed the same for 30% and decreased for only 9% of small firms during that time frame. Finally, more small businesses reported laying off workers (14%) than increasing staff size (11%). 

As part of the survey, small businesses also shared their recent experiences with financing: 

• Half of small business owners say they have attempted to access capital in the last year.

• 54% of small business owners who sought funding attempted to get a loan from a traditional bank, while 53% sought grant funding and 43% sought a SBA-backed loan. 

• 64% who sought funding have never received a loan or grant.

• Just 36% of small businesses that sought out funding received capital.

• Among small business owners who have secured funding, half received $50,000 or less, and only 32% say the amount they received fully met their capital needs.

• Among those who have received funding, 71% say it improved their cash flow, 35% say it allowed them to purchase equipment or inventory and 26% say it allowed them to retain staff.   

In response to the challenges associated with accessing capital, small business owners  support policy changes that would improve their ability to secure responsible loans, including strong support (87%) for legislation that would require APR and other terms to be clearly spelled out in commercial loan agreements.

“While it is encouraging to see some small businesses securing loans and using those funds for essentials like purchasing inventory and retaining staff, it’s concerning that the vast majority of small business owners who have secured capital reported not receiving enough money to meet their needs,” said Small Business Majority Founder & CEO John Arensmeyer. “This shows that we still must do more to help ensure that more small businesses have better access to capital, including increasing the availability of small-dollar loans by subsidizing microloans under $100,000 for community-based and mission-driven lenders, including Community Development Financial Institutions, State Small Business Credit Initiative participating lenders, SBA lenders and non-bank lenders.” 

The second Voice of Main Street survey is a poll of 191 small business owners in Small Business Majority’s national network. It was conducted between March 11 and April 21, 2025. The margin of error is +/- 7% at a 95% confidence level.

For the full report, please visit: https://smallbusinessmajority.org/our-research/voice-of-main-street/entrepreneurs-struggle-access-funding-support-policies-increase-availability-responsible-capital