SBE Council Statement of Support: “Tipped Employee Protection Act” (H.R. 2312)

By SBE Council at 13 January, 2026, 1:00 pm

The following statement of support for the "Tipped Employee Protection Act" can be attributed to Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council (SBE Council) President & CEO Karen Kerrigan:

"Clear and consistent labor standards are essential for small businesses and the millions of workers who rely on tipped income. SBE Council supports H.R. 2312, the Tipped Employee Protection Act, which clarifies who qualifies as a tipped employee and preserves the tipped wage framework under the Fair Labor Standards Act. The clarity and consistency provided by H.R. 2312 reduces complexity and boosts certainty for small businesses and their employees alike."

"Small businesses in the hospitality and service sectors have long called for predictable rules that reflect how tipped employment actually works and to allow employers and their teams to work productively without fear of arbitrary enforcement. H.R. 2312 delivers much-needed certainty for small businesses while protecting workers' ability to earn more through tips. The bill also curbs regulatory overreach by preventing courts and government bureaucrats from imposing unnecessary restrictions that disrupt workplace flexibility and threaten take-home pay. Moreover, the legislation respects the authority of states to set higher wage standards where they choose."

"SBE Council thanks Representative Steve Womack for his leadership in advancing this important legislation and urges every House member to vote in favor of passage, which will bring stability to a wage system that supports both small businesses and the tipped workers they employ."

SBE Council is a nonpartisan advocacy, research and education organization dedicated to protecting small business and promoting entrepreneurship. For more than 30 years, SBE Council has advanced a range of private sector and public policy initiatives to strengthen the ecosystem for strong startup activity and small business growth.

Visit www.sbecouncil.org for additional information. X: @SBECouncil