Every day, I pull a flatbed trailer loaded down with hay and feed to deliver to my customers in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. Small business owners like me have a never-ending list of things to plan, dream, and worry about. What would be nice is if our leaders in Washington supported small business as vigorously as they claim to.
Out here in real America, the economy is pretty sound. People have more money now than they did a few years ago, and for that, I’m very grateful. Unemployment is at historic lows. However, at the same time, there is increasing uncertainty. Tariffs have been bad for farmers, taxpayers, and consumers. The national debt is out of control. Tune in to any cable news show, and you’ll see a whole host of politicians from both sides of the aisle, who have time to spew conspiracy theories or suggest we outlaw cows and cars. I’m not convinced they take the challenges we face seriously.
As the nation endures House impeachment proceedings, will members of Congress focus any time or energy on helping small businesses and families? While hyper-partisanship and drama seem to be the new ticket to success in American politics, I hope they choose to place the health of our nation’s economy at the center of their attention.
At this very moment, there is one significant and potentially historic pro-growth opportunity that Congress and the Trump administration should act on now. The United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA) must be enacted by Congress. Mexico and Canada are our fastest-growing export market, supporting 12 million American jobs from Arizona to New York. USMCA modernizes NAFTA which was implemented more than 25 years ago. That was well before the internet was established.
USMCA lays the foundation for more updated and modernized trade between these countries. Furthermore, there is a chapter specifically designed to bolster small business. Free and fair trade, along with expanded market access will ensure higher wages and increased jobs for the next 30 years.
I need a healthy, vibrant economy to sell to, and we all need economic certainty to continue to prosper and invest in the future. USMCA provides me and millions of other small business owners an opportunity to hire, invest, grow, and thrive.
That’s why in October, I along with nearly 70 other small business owners, met with our respective Congressional representatives. We shared what matters most to small business owners from across America and pushed for USMCA passage. I am counting on Congress to have some political courage and demonstrate some much-needed leadership by passing USMCA without delay. America’s economic growth, jobs, retirement accounts, and prosperity depend on it.
Actions speak louder than words. My fellow small business owners are taking action, so let’s see some action from Congress as well.
