Main Street can’t afford a swing and a miss from a new Congress

Published October 5, 2026 9:00am ET



For America’s small businesses, the stakes in this midterm election are worthy of the World Series. Owners have put their capital, their livelihoods, and their employees’ futures on the line. Candidates from both parties need to show they can do more than step up to the plate and swing. They must explain how they will deliver for America’s job-creation engine.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s investment incentives and the Trump administration’s regulatory streamlining efforts provide a foundation to build upon. Permanent 100% expensing for eligible equipment, restored immediate deductions for domestic research, and deductions for qualifying production facilities strengthen the financial case for expansion. Reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens can help owners put those incentives to work. Main Street needs two more years of forward movement.

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