Spotlight on the 118th Congress: Tom Emmer (R-MN-6)

QWhat skills or perspectives from your background do you apply as a public official?

ABefore coming to Congress, we ran a small law firm. The experience of owning and operating a small business has been invaluable to our work here on Capitol Hill. We understand the tight margins that small businesses work under and the stress that is put on the livelihoods of owners and employees alike. Running a business of that size is a difficult undertaking with serious challenges.

Q What do you see as the current biggest threat to small-business owners?

AWe are deeply concerned about the Biden Administration’s regulatory landscape causing higher costs and more difficult working conditions for small-business owners and employees. For example, last session, we voted against the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This bill would have hamstrung all American franchises by preventing national brands from partnering with small businesses. In Minnesota alone, local franchise businesses create more than 143,000 jobs. We can’t afford to have these businesses grind to a halt. While this bill did not receive consideration in the Senate, it is a reminder of the regulatory threats on the horizon that small businesses face every day.

QWhat challenges have you helped small businesses in your district overcome?

AIn my home state of Minnesota, most of us bank with small credit unions and community banks that are uniquely threatened by ever-increasing regulatory burdens. Unlike larger institutions, they do not have access to substantial compliance budgets and were understandably concerned when Democrats proposed that financial institutions should report to the IRS about every transaction on accounts with inflows and outflows of over $600 per year.

This proposal would have made compliance massively difficult for community banks and credit unions, and we led a push with more than 200 Republicans urging Treasury Secretary Yellen to back down. We were proud to be successful, and thanks to our effort, these smaller institutions were saved from a serious issue.

QIn what ways are you seeking feedback from small businesses in your state/district and using that information in Washington, D.C.?

AHearing from stakeholders back home is hugely important — in fact, we are not doing our jobs if we aren’t in constant communication with small-business owners and employees. I have toured several small businesses in my district and appreciate seeing the flexibility and innovation of Main Street. We get our best ideas from you and stand ready to turn those ideas into legislative actions.

As Majority Whip, I look forward to hearing from small-business owners and franchisees across the country, as well as in Minnesota, on how policies impact their ability to innovate, create new jobs and grow their business.

QWhat seat do you believe franchisees have at the table and what do you do to support them?

AFranchisees are on the front line. We want to hear your insights and help you with your concerns. Legislators have a stake in seeing the communities they represent thrive and supporting your work is part of that. I will continue to support and advance legislation that empowers entrepreneurs, encourages economic growth, reduces burdensome regulations and improves access to resources and capital for entrepreneurs. Additionally, the upcoming expiration of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act provisions will pose huge challenges for small businesses. We would love to extend these provisions.

QWhat message do you have for small-business owners struggling with supply chain issues, inflation, staffing and other prevalent issues of today’s day and age?

AThere is a new majority in the House of Representatives. Republicans were elected by small-business owners to deal with exactly these concerns. Combatting high inflation, supply chain delays and workforce challenges will take time. But the effort must, at the very least, involve some combination of reigning in runaway federal spending that has been fueling inflation and easing some of the regulatory burdens that have made hiring workers and acquiring products more difficult. n