The midterm elections are coming: Make your voice heard

Election season is upon us, and politicians will provide plenty of lip-service to the small business community.

Congress, however, has failed to address the unnecessary trade wars devastating many small businesses, confront rising health insurance costs or reduce uncertainty for the small business community.

This lack of action is a bipartisan problem. It will take politicians more interested in solutions than consistently scoring political points to improve the economic landscape for our nation’s small businesses.

The tariff roller coaster

Small businesses pay the price of trade wars and higher tariffs. Unlike larger companies, which are also impacted by unnecessary trade wars, small businesses often cannot purchase in bulk to reduce costs. They are also faced with two bad options when tariffs drive up the cost of goods: reduce already strained margins or attempt to charge customers more, which can threaten sales and their customer base.

No president, in either party, should be able to arbitrarily threaten tariffs, because those threats create high levels of uncertainty and the tariffs themselves have profound consequences for many small businesses. Congress is the branch of government with the authority to implement tariffs, and it must reassert that now.

Legislation should be passed which closes loopholes that allow for the executive branch to unilaterally bypass Congress and impose tariffs. Each of these loopholes should be closed so the executive branch cannot pivot after being stymied by the courts.

Tariffs are imposed and by the time courts intervene, damage has been done. Small businesses should demand candidates commit to putting guardrails around tariffs regardless of who controls the White House. This should be a litmus test for political candidates looking for support from the small business community.

Health insurance

There is a stunning lack of competition in the health insurance market and small businesses are paying the price. Too many small businesses are unable to afford group coverage and for solopreneurs, the cost of health insurance can stop their American dream in its tracks.

Democrats should join Republicans in supporting Association Health Plans that allow small businesses to pool together and negotiate for better health insurance rates. Republicans should take immediate action to provide relief to entrepreneurs and others, who lost their health insurance because the ACA premium tax credits expired. Transparency laws that will shine a light on the real cost of health care and health insurance should be supported and passed by both parties.

Attack ads and divisive rhetoric will not make health insurance any more affordable for small businesses and their employees. Political candidates should provide substantive plans to finally lower the costs of quality health insurance.

Get out the vote

The small business community should engage federal candidates at forums, town halls, farmers markets and anywhere they are trying to reach voters as this campaign season closes. The message should always be respectful but clear. Affordability is a challenge for small businesses and Congress must come together, compromise, and enact solutions.

Small business owners and advocates should let candidates know they will not only be voting, but encouraging their family members, friends, and networks to follow suit. Everyone who relies on the success of small and local businesses should do the same. There is power in numbers, and the small business community has the critical mass to make its voice heard.

Elliot Richardson is president and co-founder of the Small Business Advocacy Council.