Rep. Latimer Participates in Hearing on How Trump’s Tariffs Are Hurting Small Businesses

WASHINGTON, DC – Today U.S. Representative George Latimer (NY-16) participated in a House Democratic leadership hearing on how small businesses have been hurt by President Trump’s tariffs. Small business owners from across the country attended to give Congress an update on how they have been affected by the President’s policies.

“Small businesses provide character to our main streets and employ many of our neighbors. Trump’s tariff policies have created uncertainty for small businesses, and it will affect our local economies in the short and long term,” said Rep. Latimer. “We should be supporting small businesses like the ones before the Committee today and help them continue to thrive. Small businesses deserve better than the reckless Trump Tariffs.”

The small business owners included: Walter Rowen, President of Susquehanna Glass Company in Pennsylvania; Haley Pavone, founder of Pashion Footwear; LaJuanna Russell, President and CEO of Business Management Associates in Virginia; and Sarah Wells, founder of Sarah Wells Bags.

Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has fired more than 43% of the Small Business Administration’s staff and made it nearly impossible for small businesses to get help from the government. DOGE cuts have terminated contracts for more than 1,800 small businesses that previously worked as federal contractors. Rep. Latimer has introduced a bill that will increase transparency for small businesses that contract with the federal government. It passed unanimously out of the Small Business Committee.

Small businesses are also bearing the brunt of Trump’s reckless tariffs. Since tariffs were first announced, employment at small businesses with fewer than ten employees has already dropped 2.5%. Where big companies can absorb the shock of these tariffs, small businesses aren’t as equipped for this volatility.

Congressman Latimer’s remarks can be found here.