Washington Watch

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed into law the One Big Beautiful Bill Act [reconciliation package]. The bill includes hundreds of provisions, including extended and expanded tax cuts, and deep cuts to Medicaid, food benefits and other social welfare programs. The bill is also projected to add more than $3 trillion to the national debt over the next decade. Over the course of the last week, Republicans made several last minute changes to the bill, including stripping out controversial provisions (such as a 10 year moratorium on state-level AI regulations and a sell-off of public lands in 11 western states). The package includes significant additional funding to the Department of Homeland Security for immigration enforcement, and to the Department of Defense.

Below is a list (not exhaustive) of resources for businesses impacted by Hurricanes Milton and Helene.

Congress will return next week and will immediately pivot to moving a CR through the House and Senate.

As touted over the last few months, the NASE is encouraged and excited to see the number of new business starts, however, we know that a number of people who end up as business owners (i.e self-employed) often start their business journey through side gigs or “hustles”. In fact, according to a new LinkedIn report, the number of Americans with a side gig is now estimated at 50%. However, a new tax law change could stop this growing trend and jeopardize the ability of people to earn extra income or chase their dreams of becoming an entrepreneur.

Congress is in recess! What does that mean? Why do they take a break? How long is it? Congressional recesses have been around since the beginning of Congress, but their purpose and length have changed over time. Here's a breakdown of everything you need to know about congressional recesses.

On Friday, April 8, Congress adjourned for the Easter and Passover holidays after a busy six-week session that saw a new Supreme Court Justice confirmed, further action against Russia, approval of the FY2022 federal government spending bill, and several big pieces of legislation that had alluded lawmakers (in some cases, for decades) including: anti-lynching bill, reauthorization of the Violence Against Woman Act; postal service reform; and a bipartisan ocean shipping reform bill.