On March 31, Small Business Majority submitted a comment letter opposing a proposed rule issued by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Services (USCIS) that would indefinitely bar asylum applicants in the U.S. from applying for authorization to work legally during their application process. The letter underscores how imposing new restrictions on the work authorization process for millions of individuals would intensify the small business labor shortage by blocking access to specialized labor talent pools for Main Street. 

This fact sheet examines how rising healthcare costs are straining small businesses and limiting access to affordable coverage for entrepreneurs and their employees. It highlights the growing reliance on programs like the ACA Marketplace and Medicaid, the impact of recent policy changes on premiums and coverage, and the difficult tradeoffs small employers face.

This fact sheet highlights the critical role of affordable, responsible capital in helping small businesses start, grow and succeed—while underscoring the persistent barriers many entrepreneurs face in accessing financing. Drawing on national survey data, it reveals that a majority of small business owners struggle to obtain funding, with disparities particularly pronounced for minority-owned businesses.

Small businesses play a critical role in the U.S. workforce but often lack the resources to offer retirement benefits, putting them at a disadvantage in attracting and retaining employees. This fact sheet explores the barriers small businesses face in providing retirement savings options and highlights policy solutions—at both the federal and state levels—that can expand access to affordable, flexible retirement plans for small business owners and their workers.

Small businesses need access to fair, transparent capital to grow, but many—especially women- and minority-owned businesses—still face predatory and opaque lending practices. This fact sheet highlights key challenges in the small business lending market and outlines policy solutions to expand protections, improve transparency and ensure equitable access to responsible financing.

Small businesses face increasing challenges competing with larger corporations due to consolidation and anti-competitive practices like predatory pricing, self-preferencing and unfair contracts. Our research shows many small business owners feel these disadvantages firsthand. This fact sheet outlines key barriers and policy solutions to promote fair competition and create a more level playing field for small businesses.

Access to affordable, high-quality childcare is essential to a strong small business economy. Small Business Majority’s research shows that childcare challenges disrupt employee productivity, limit business growth and even prevent entrepreneurs from starting businesses. At the same time, many childcare providers—often women- and minority-owned small businesses—face barriers to funding and expansion. Without greater investment, these challenges will continue to strain Main Street businesses and the workforce.

On March 12, Small Business Majority, alongside more than 100 state and national organizations serving small businesses nationwide, sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) opposing the agency’s February 2 policy notice that bars small businesses not 100% owned by U.S. citizens or nationals from accessing SBA-backed loan programs.