National Small Business Association

UPDATE, MARCH 11 | Legislation to keep the government open past Saturday, avoiding a shutdown deadline, is headed to the Senate after passing the House 217-213 along party lines this afternoon. Looking ahead to action in the Upper Chamber, including reported opposition from Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY), the legislation will likely need the support of at least eight Democrats in the Senate to become law. If the measure fails in the Senate, with House Members effectively adjourning for the week tomorrow, Republican congressional leaders could try to pass a shorter-term stopgap later in the week and bring House lawmakers back to Washington to cast votes. We’ve said it before, and we’ll say it again: Shutdowns harm Small Business. Follow NSBA as we continue tracking progress of this working CR. ____ SHUTDOWN WATCH | Following passage in the House Rules Committee along a party-line vote of 9-3 last night, the House will take a close vote today on a measure to fund the government through Sept. 30 — a bill broadly supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats. Shutdowns harm Small Business, which is why NSBA commends Congress' working commitments to keep the government funded and open. Follow along as we continue tracking progress of the CR, as well as congressional authorizations and appropriations critical to Small Business.

ICYMI, last week, one of NSBA’s most impactful former Chairs ML Mackey, of Beacon Interactive Systems, testified before the U.S. House Committee on Small Business standing for the interests of Small-Business high-tech innovators across the country. Watch more from this important testimony:

CABINET UPDATE | The Senate this week voted 67-32 to confirm former Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer to serve as the Trump administration’s Secretary of Labor. Leading the agency in charge of enforcing a wide swath of workplace protection laws, such as those governing wages, occupational safety, seasonal foreign employees, and retirement investment advisors, NSBA congratulates and looks forward to working with Ms. Chavez-DeRemer in her new role.

CABINET UPDATE | The Senate today advanced Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s nomination to lead the Labor Department, setting up a final vote for confirmation on March 10. She is the last nominee of the 15 executive departments awaiting confirmation. Follow NSBA as we continue tracking Small-Business confirmations from the Senate. ____

Yesterday the SBAM Leadership Council gathered for its annual advocacy day. Special thanks to all of our guest speakers and our sponsors for making it such a great day for our members. Speakers: Erick Stewart, Lagniappe Global Commodity Gina Jacquart Thorsen , Stormy Kromer Matt Hall, Speaker of the House Todd McCracken, National Small Business Association Milan Gandhi, Med-Share Inc. Shaquila Myers, Office of Governor Whitmer Ranjeev Puri, Minority Leader Karolina Powalka, Mavacy Anna Heaton, Resch Strategies Andrea Bitely, Bitely Communications Zack Gorchow, Gongwer News Service Michigan Sponsor: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan Consumers Energy DTE Energy Graystone Consulting from Morgan Stanley Morton's Fine Catering Thank you to our host, Grewal Hall at 224

UPDATE, MARCH 11 | TODAY, the Senate will hold a hearing on Dr. Casey Mulligan ahead of final committee approval and full passage to be confirmed as Chief Counsel for Advocacy at the Small Business Administration (SBA). Follow NSBA as we continue tracking the progress of this important nomination for Small Business. ____ CABINET NOM | This week, NSBA sent a letter to Senate leaders expressing strong support for the nomination of Dr. Casey Mulligan to serve as Chief Counsel for Advocacy within the Small Business Administration (SBA). NSBA was pleased the current Administration made a historically early nomination of Dr. Mulligan to lead the Office of Advocacy, signaling the importance of the role and the Office itself. Significant drivers of the nation's economy, Small Businesses need, and deserve, a fully staffed Office of Advocacy to serve as their watchdog in the Federal regulatory process. Bringing a unique and highly beneficial combination of academic expertise and technical understanding of government to the role, we urge the Senate to advance and confirm Dr. Mulligan and look forward to continuing to support Small Business through a better, more fully staffed Office of Advocacy.

A huge thank you to Small Business Association of Michigan, Michigan Speaker of the House Matt Hall, Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri, National Small Business Association President Todd McCracken, and Shaquila Myers for their impactful presentations at today's Leadership Council Winter Event. Their insights were invaluable! #PolicyLeaders #EventHighlights #SBAM #LeadershipCouncil

SBIR-STTR REAUTH | TODAY, at 2:30pm EST, the Senate Committee on Small Business & Entrepreneurship will hold a hearing on the "Golden Age of American Innovation: Reforming SBIR-STTR for the 21st Century,” discussing reauthorization of these critical programs. NSBA's Small Business Technology Council (SBTC) member Ken Mahmud from Triton Systems, Inc., has been invited to participate as one of the four witnesses.

Michigan small business rocks! Delighted to be here at the Winter Event of the Small Business Association of Michigan’s Leadership Council. Here with the new Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives, Matt Hall, also Todd McCracken, President of the National Small Business Association, talking about issues that matter to #smallbusinesses. #swmichigan #metrodetroit #lansingmi #leadership #culture

NSBA's Regulatory Rundown is hot to go on the latest from Washington. Don't miss today's edition.