We Pay the Tariffs: Taking our Case Directly to Congress

In September 2025, small businesses did more than share their concerns about tariffs — they showed up in Washington to be heard.

We Pay the Tariffs organized a two-day Capitol Hill lobby day that brought more than 100 small business owners to Washington, D.C. Over the course of two days, participants met with over 150 congressional offices across both the House and Senate, representing communities and industries from across the country.

These meetings were not symbolic. Small business owners spoke directly with Members of Congress and congressional staff about how tariffs were affecting their ability to operate, hire, and compete. They shared firsthand experiences of rising input costs, supply chain disruptions, delayed investment, and the difficulty of planning under prolonged trade uncertainty.

In addition to meetings on Capitol Hill, the lobby day included a press conference held in front of the U.S. Supreme Court with U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell. The press conference highlighted the real-world consequences of tariff policy for small businesses and underscored the connection between ongoing legal challenges and the economic impacts being felt on the ground.

The inclusion of a public press event reinforced a central message: tariff policy is not an abstract legal or geopolitical issue — it is a direct cost borne by American small businesses.

The lobby day resulted in follow-up requests from congressional offices, deeper engagement from staff, and increased recognition that small businesses must be part of any serious discussion about tariffs.