Warner & Colleagues Introduce Legislation to Refund Small Businesses for Trump Tariffs

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and nine of his Senate colleagues introduced the Small Business RELIEF Act, legislation to exempt small businesses from global baseline and reciprocal tariffs and to provide refunds to the small businesses that were forced to pay them.

On August 29, 2025, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled that President Donald Trump's so-called "Liberation Day" tariffs were illegal, setting the stage for small businesses to receive relief from those tariffs. The Supreme Court this week agreed to consider whether these tariffs are legal and will hear the case in November. However, the tariffs will remain in place until the Supreme Court makes a decision.

"Trump's tariffs have hit small businesses particularly hard as they struggle to absorb the increased costs," said Sen. Warner. "The Small Business RELIEF Act will help make sure that Trump's reckless taxes don't cripple small businesses in Virginia and across the country."

In addition to Sen. Warner, this legislation was introduced by U.S. Sens. Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), and Martin Heinrich (D-NM).

Text of this legislation is available here.

"Small businesses were the ones hit hardest by the Trump-era tariffs - paying higher prices on everything from raw materials to the tools they need to keep their doors open," said Richard Trent, Executive Director of Main Street Alliance. "If the Supreme Court overturns these tariffs, the fair thing to do is refund small business owners for the extra costs they were forced to pay. They shouldn't be punished for decisions made in Washington that drove up their costs and squeezed their margins. Refunding small businesses would put money back into local economies, help create jobs, and level the playing field after years of unfair trade policy."

"Small businesses make up more than 99 percent of all U.S. companies, employ nearly half of the private-sector workforce, and contribute more than 40 percent of GDP," said Todd McCracken, President & CEO of the National Small Business Association (NSBA). "Yet, unlike their larger counterparts, they often lack the financial cushion and in-house resources to absorb sudden policy shifts. Imposing emergency tariffs without exemptions for small companies threatens their survival, undermines local economies, and weakens supply chains upon which countless communities are built. By exempting small firms from these duties and providing timely refunds, the Small Business RELIEF Act acknowledges both their unique vulnerability and their vital role in driving economic growth.

"Tariffs are placing unprecedented pressure on American small businesses, and we're encouraged to see leadership and legislation that would provide much-needed relief from these burdensome policies," said Shaundell Newsome, Co-chair of Small Business for America's Future and Founder of Sumnu Marketing in Las Vegas, Nevada. "We've heard countless stories from entrepreneurs across the country whose operating costs have abruptly increased due to tariffs and their erratic implementation, a major blow to businesses operating with tight margins and little wiggle room for error. These businesses are already making devastating choices: cutting jobs, canceling expansion plans, and struggling to keep their doors open. The retroactive relief included in the Small Business RELIEF Act could be the lifeline many small importers desperately need to recover from months of unexpected costs. Main Street is bearing the brunt of policies that failed to consider the real-world consequences for small businesses. Without action, we'll continue to see economic consequences that devastate not just individual businesses but entire communities."

"Widespread tariffs imposed on most imported goods have caused significant pain for small businesses, as evidenced by Small Business Majority's most recent polling that found 60% are experiencing higher operating costs due to tariffs," said Alexis D'Amato, Director of Government Affairs at Small Business Majority. "This is no surprise given that 26% of businesses surveyed said they import goods directly, while nearly half said they buy from American suppliers that import from other countries. Cost increases have led small businesses to take a range of drastic actions that include raising prices and pausing expansion plans. The best way to bring small businesses immediate relief is to refund import duties that they have already paid and exempt them from tariffs going forward."

"WIPP strongly supports Senator Markey's Small Business RELIEF Act, which would exempt small businesses from tariffs," said Angela Dingle, President and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP). "Small firms, including women-owned firms, are facing rising costs and supply-chain disruptions that threaten their survival. More often than not, small businesses lack the resources to absorb the cost of tariffs, and have no choice but to raise prices and risk losing business. Small businesses can pivot and adapt, but they rely on certainty when it comes to their bottom line, and Senator Markey's bill would help provide that certainty."

"CAMEO applauds Senator Markey's Small Business RELIEF Act, which would provide relief for microbusinesses and self-employed entrepreneurs from economically damaging tariffs," said Carolina Martinez, CEO of CAMEO Network. "In California alone, microbusinesses (those with five or fewer employees) account for 85% of all firms and generate nearly 25% of all jobs, yet they're deriving the smallest margins and greatest vulnerability from rising costs. Tariffs are hurting them the most, and are a direct hit to their ability to survive, grow, and serve their communities. This act would provide essential relief that keeps innovation alive and Main Street thriving."