To the United States Congress:

​​

The elections clearly showed that Americans are sick and tired of price-hiking tariffs and are counting on Congress to eliminate them as soon as possible. Americans’ top concern is affordability, and addressing cost of living was a major campaign platform of winning candidates in every part of the country. The results should come as no surprise: poll after poll for nearly two years has shown voters’ frustration with tariffs, and many millions of dollars in election ads focused on tariff costs. It is time for Congress to act. 

Small businesses know all too well that we pay the tariffs, not foreigners, and have been calling for permanent tariff relief since early 2025. Small businesses account for 97% of American importers, but lack the legal teams and buying power to absorb costs or move supply chains. Many needed products are simply not made or grown here. In a recent We Pay the Tariffs survey of 241 small businesses, just 3 percent found a U.S. supplier that met their needs. To stay open, 83 percent raised prices, more than half delayed or canceled investments, and 29 percent laid off workers. The typical business paid about $148,000 in tariffs, and some of us have paid millions.

Tariff cuts are the easiest and most direct means to lower prices. A Federal Reserve Bank of New York study released in October found that tariffs added 2.9 percentage points to consumer goods inflation by February 2026, and that goods prices actually would have fallen without tariffs. Cutting tariffs would lower costs for our businesses and our customers, and give owners the certainty to hire and invest again.

Elections have consequences. Congress must address affordability, and the single fastest way to do that is to roll back tariffs. Nothing else Congress can do would lower prices and ease the pressure on businesses and families as quickly. Reclaiming constitutional authority over tariffs is necessary, but not sufficient. If Congress wants prices to actually come down, and not just rise more slowly, then Congress must deliver real tariff cuts. 

Small businesses and consumers across the country are watching. We will continue to call for tariff rollbacks and refunds – in our communities, the press, and in Washington, DC – until the tariffs go away for good. We paid the tariffs. Now we need Congress to cut them and make us whole.

Sincerely,