FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2026

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is concerned by the Small Business Administration's proposed rule to rewrite how the 8(a) Business Development Program determines social disadvantage. The agency frames the change as restoring fairness and putting applicants on equal footing. As written, it does neither, and it pulls the SBA's focus away from the challenges small businesses are actually confronting today.

As written, the proposed rule does not create a level playing field. Every applicant would still be required to establish how their racial or ethnic group was treated. The redefinition of "disadvantage," however, raises the barrier for the businesses the program is intended to serve while opening an easier path for others. That is not the neutralization of a preference; it is the reallocation of one. A rule genuinely aimed at equal footing would take on the real barriers small businesses face in accessing capital, contracts, and networks, not simply change who benefits while leaving those barriers in place.

“America's small businesses are facing persistent inflation, rising energy and input costs, higher borrowing costs, and ongoing economic uncertainty. At a moment when entrepreneurs need the SBA focused on their ability to survive, grow, and hire, the agency is devoting its limited resources to reworking eligibility for one of its smallest programs that serves only a few thousand firms. Small business owners would be far better served by an SBA working to expand access to affordable capital, cut red tape, and help firms weather rising costs” said Angela Dingle, President and CEO, Women Impacting Public Policy.

WIPP represents women-owned businesses in every industry and every state, and we closely watch any effort that narrows the federal government's commitment to entrepreneurs who have historically faced barriers to opportunity. The direction this rule signals raises serious questions about the future of programs serving women-owned businesses that exist to create a more level playing field for all businesses.

WIPP urges the SBA to reconsider this proposed rule, to refocus on the cost and capital pressures squeezing small businesses now, and to take into account the concerns raised by small businesses owners during the comment period.

WIPP and our members will engage in the comment process, and we encourage women business owners to make their voices heard on both this proposal and the priorities behind it.

Washington, D.C. – Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) and the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) are joining together to express serious concerns about recently introduced legislation that would, among other things, repeal the Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) Program.

Fully implemented under federal law in 2011, the WOSB Program has helped millions of women successfully enter and compete in the federal marketplace. The most recent data from FY2025 shows that women-owned businesses secured $34.5 billion in federal contracts — up from $26 billion in FY2024 — a clear demonstration of the program's effectiveness and the strong, growing demand for its continuation.

"If signed into law, this legislation would effectively end set-aside contracting for women- and minority-owned businesses — and would likely trigger a similar rollback in state contracting programs. The WOSB Program has been a critical tool for expanding women's access to the federal marketplace, and repealing it would erase hard-won progress built over more than a decade. We urge Senator Lee and Congressman Grothman to reconsider this bill and to engage in good faith with the women's business community — to understand the program's value and work collaboratively on ways to strengthen it for both existing firms and new entrants." — Angela Dingle, President & CEO, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP)

“The Women-Owned Small Business Program has helped women entrepreneurs unlock access to capital, create jobs, and make meaningful contributions to their communities and economies since its inception. Eliminating it doesn't level the playing field; it tips it. Women business owners have proven they can compete and win in the federal marketplace. What we need is a government that keeps the door open, not one that closes it." — Jen Earle, CEO, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO)

Introduced by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) and Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI), the bill would also gut the 8(a) Business Development Program, repeal the Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Act of 2021, and add an explicit statutory prohibition on federal agencies considering race, ethnicity, or sex in any contract or award decision. Agencies would be required to strip all related rules and guidance within 60 to 180 days of enactment.

WIPP and NAWBO encourage lawmakers to reject the Ending Discrimination in Government Contracting Act, and to work with organizations like ours to ensure that the Women-Owned Small Business Program continues to best serve women-owned businesses, and the US taxpayers. When the federal contracting marketplace is open to a wider net of small businesses, it provides the federal government with more options, greater innovation and lower costs.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As Leader Thune removes the SAVE America Act from pending business this week, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) CEO Jen Earle and Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) President and CEO Angela Dingle issued the following joint statement:

“Leader Thune, thank you for removing the SAVE America Act from the pending business of the Senate. We are pleased to see lawmakers are hearing our message loud and clear.

We believe in safe, secure elections with accessible participation. However, we oppose the SAVE Act. The SAVE Act purports to address noncitizen voting, which is already illegal and exceedingly rare. If enacted, it would disenfranchise millions of women.

A woman’s name can change for a variety of reasons: marriage, divorce, late-in-life adoption, and many more. Any of these instances would require women to produce several pieces of documentation to prove their citizenship, a process that could take weeks or even months through local, state, and federal agencies. This paper trail creates an arduous process for women, especially for women business owners. It will take time away from their businesses and could prevent them from using their voice at the polls, as this act would take effect immediately if passed. Without a voice at the polls, women business owners cannot express their opinions on who will represent them, the individuals who will later craft the policies necessary for their businesses to thrive.

Instances of noncitizens casting ballots in elections are rare, and carry severe legal consequences. Studies examining instances of noncitizen voting have generally found relatively few confirmed cases. For example, a Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) analysis of The Heritage Foundation’s Election Fraud Cases database found only 77 instances of noncitizen voting between 1999 and 2023. Only 77 instances out of 1.5 billion of votes cast in federal elections.

Again, we believe in safe, secure elections, but we do not believe in legislating unless necessary. We need to focus on policy that matters. Policies that improve our economy. Moving bipartisan bills that have passed the House to improve small business education in artificial intelligence. Policies that keep energy costs down through a variety of energy sources, and policies that improve our health care system to allow more small business owners to provide health insurance, so they can compete with larger firms.”

Together, NAWBO and WIPP, two leading advocacy organizations for women business owners, look forward to continuing their joint advocacy and coalition work—ensuring that women business owners are not only heard but prioritized in economic policymaking at every level.

About NAWBO

Founded in 1975, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of America’s more than 14 million women-owned businesses, representing a wide range of industries and business sizes. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all sectors, advocating for equal access, fair representation, and economic opportunity.
www.nawbo.org

About WIPP

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is a national, nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs and business owners. For 25 years, WIPP has worked to shape economic policy, expand access to business opportunities, and build the capacity of women-owned firms across the United States.
www.wipp.org

Women Impacting Public Policy Support For Small Business Liberation 2.0 Act 

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) applauds Senator Ed Markey (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and co-sponsors Leader Chuck Schumer, Senators Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), and Jackie Rosen (D-Nev.) on the introduction of the Small Business Liberation Act 2.0. This legislation follows the Supreme Court's decision striking down the President's use of IEEPA to enact tariffs, and would create exemptions for small businesses as the Administration considers invoking Section 122 to impose a 10% global tariff.

The Honorable Brett Guthrie
Chairman
House Energy and Commerce Committee
Washington, D.C.

Dear Chairman Guthrie, Chairman Pallone and Distinguished members of the Committee,

I am writing on behalf of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), the nation's leading nonpartisan public policy organization advocating for and on behalf of women entrepreneurs. As we approach the January 22, 2026 hearing with CEOs from UnitedHealthcare, CVS Health, Cigna Healthcare, Elevance Health, and Blue Shield of California, I urge lawmakers to focus their questions on how insurance company practices contribute to rising healthcare costs and affect small businesses across the country.

The Small Business Healthcare Affordability Crisis

I recently wrote about our nation’s healthcare affordability crisis in my latest op-ed at The Well News. Small businesses across the country are facing an existential threat. Deductibles have nearly quadrupled since the mid-2000s, and many insured adults say they could not cover a $500 medical bill without debt. Nearly 90% of small firms report that medication costs are too high, and almost four in 10 view prescription drug costs as one of the top two challenges to providing employee health coverage. Meanwhile, the largest health insurers earned more than $71 billion in profits in a recent year, much of it fueled by vertically integrated PBM and specialty pharmacy operations.

The consequences are devastating: almost one-third of small businesses have dropped health insurance coverage from one year to the next, with rising burdens as a contributing factor. Today, the overall share of small businesses offering healthcare coverage has declined from nearly 50% in 2000 to about 30% in 2023.

This affordability crisis puts small businesses at a severe disadvantage when competing with larger firms for talented employees. For women entrepreneurs and minority business owners—who already face greater systemic barriers to capital and stability—these rising costs represent an economic squeeze that forces impossible choices between cutting employee benefits or raising prices.

The PBM Problem: Hidden Middlemen Driving Up Costs

At the heart of this crisis are insurer-owned Pharmacy Benefit Managers, the supply chain middlemen who are inflating drug costs for patients and businesses alike. While PBMs theoretically negotiate lower drug prices that should benefit both patients and employers, the reality is starkly different.

Just three PBMs—CVS Caremark, OptumRx, and Express Scripts—control nearly 80% of all prescriptions dispensed. These massive entities now siphon off or claw back almost 42% of all money spent on brand-name medicines in the commercial market. Because PBM earnings are generally tied to the nominal list price of drugs, they have a perverse incentive to push patients toward higher-priced medicines rather than more affordable alternatives. They employ tactics like spread pricing, charging employers more than they actually pay pharmacies and pocketing the difference.

PBMs' growing profits are directly inflating the cost of offering employee health benefits, and many small companies have reached their breaking point.

Harm to Community Pharmacies and Underserved Communities

The small businesses perhaps most harmed by PBM practices are community pharmacies, particularly those in minority neighborhoods. To be included in a PBM's preferred network, these pharmacies must pay outrageous direct remuneration fees that strain their finances to the breaking point. In 2024, about one-third of independent pharmacy owners were at risk of closure. These closures eliminate critical healthcare access points in underserved communities, where small business employees and residents depend on local pharmacies for essential care.

Unity Week and the Broader Impact on Diverse Business Communities

PBM reform was central to discussions at the National Business Inclusion Consortium's Unity Week in November 2025, where WIPP joined with NGLCC, WBENC, and other leading diversity organizations to examine healthcare challenges facing diverse business communities. The consensus was clear: PBM practices represent a critical threat to the economic stability and growth of women-owned businesses, LGBTQ+ businesses, and other diverse enterprises across America. High healthcare costs force these businesses to divert funds from payroll, investment, and growth—resources they can ill afford to lose given existing barriers to capital and systemic inequities.

Recommended Congressional Actions

As you prepare questions for the January 22 hearing, I urge you to press these insurance company CEOs on three critical reforms:

1. Mandate Transparency: Require PBMs to disclose all costs, rebates, and pricing concessions they secure from drugmakers to employer plan sponsors. This will make it far harder to inflate drug bills without businesses' knowledge.

2. Delink Compensation from List Prices: Take steps to delink PBM compensation from drugs' nominal list prices. As long as PBMs profit more from expensive drugs, they will continue steering patients toward costly treatments.

3. End Pharmacy Steering: Ban PBMs from steering patients away from non-affiliated pharmacies. Patients and small businesses should not be forced to purchase medicines from PBM-owned pharmacy chains when trusted local pharmacies are available.

Conclusion

America's distorted prescription drug market is a growing financial threat to small businesses, particularly those owned by women and minorities. The five insurance companies appearing before your committees on January 22 either own or are closely affiliated with the very PBMs driving this crisis. This hearing presents a critical opportunity to demand accountability and concrete commitments to reform.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and they deserve a healthcare system that works for them, not against them. By limiting the PBM industry's ability to exploit patients and employers, Congress can bring this affordability crisis under control.

Thank you for your attention to this vital issue affecting millions of American entrepreneurs and their employees.

Respectfully,

Angela Dingle
President and CEO
Women Impacting Public Policy

Founded in 2001 by former NAWBO leaders Barbara Kasoff and Terri Neese, WIPP was created to elevate the collective voice of women business owners in the public policy arena. More than two decades later, the organizations are coming together again to build on growing collaboration and shared advocacy priorities that champion policies that help women entrepreneurs grow, compete, and lead.

During WIPP’s 2024 legislative fly-in, WIPP formally welcomed NAWBO as a coalition partner, recognizing the power of aligning advocacy efforts and amplifying the voices of women business owners on Capitol Hill and is excited to expand the partnership in 2026.

“This moment reflects both where we’ve been and where we’re going,” said Angela Dingle, President and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy. “Bringing NAWBO into our coalition during our 2024 fly-in underscored the strength of our shared advocacy—and the excitement we’re seeing now is a direct result of that collaboration. Together, we’re expanding opportunities for women business owners and ensuring their voices are heard at the highest levels of policymaking.”

The 2026 Joint Advocacy Day will convene women entrepreneurs, advocates, and policymakers from across the country to engage on key issues affecting women-owned businesses, including access to capital, federal contracting, workforce development, and innovation.

“WIPP’s partnership has been invaluable to NAWBO, helping us deepen our advocacy, strengthen connections across our memberships, and elevate the voices of women business owners in meaningful ways,” said Jen Earle, CEO of NAWBO. “That collaboration has generated real momentum, and we’re excited to bring our members together through advocacy day and other joint advocacy efforts to expand our collective impact and advance shared priorities for women entrepreneurs across the country.”

Further details, including registration information, and agenda highlights, will be announced in early 2026.

About WIPP

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is a national, nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women business owners—strengthening their impact on the nation’s public policy, creating economic opportunities, and forging alliances with other business organizations.. For 25 years, WIPP has worked to shape economic policy, expand access to business opportunities, and build the capacity of women-owned firms across the United States.
www.wipp.org

About NAWBO

Founded in 1975, the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) is the unified voice of America’s more than 14 million women-owned businesses, representing a wide range of industries and business sizes. NAWBO is the only dues-based organization representing the interests of all women entrepreneurs across all sectors, advocating for equal access, fair representation, and economic opportunity.
www.nawbo.org

Keith King was a tireless advocate for veterans, an entrepreneur, and a builder of institutions that continue to expand economic access and equity. Through his leadership, he helped elevate the visibility, credibility, and impact of veteran-owned businesses within corporate supply chains and public-sector partnerships. His work reshaped how veteran entrepreneurship is recognized and supported nationwide.

“Keith King’s legacy is defined not only by what he built, but by the people he empowered along the way,” said Angela Dingle, President and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy. “He believed deeply in service, accountability, and the power of business as a force for good. His leadership raised the bar for all of us working to strengthen inclusive economic ecosystems, and his impact will continue to guide this work for years to come.”

Keith was widely respected for his integrity, clarity of purpose, and unwavering commitment to those who served our country. His leadership fostered collaboration across organizations, industries, and communities—bringing together stakeholders around a shared mission of opportunity, dignity, and long-term economic resilience for veterans.

WIPP extends its deepest condolences to Keith King’s family, colleagues, and the entire NVBDC community. We honor his memory by continuing the work he championed—strengthening pathways to growth, advocating for inclusive procurement, and building strong, mission-driven communities that reflect the values he embodied throughout his life.

Washington, D.C. — January 2026 — Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) congratulates Phala K. Mire on her appointment as Chief Operating Officer of the National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), effective February 1, 2026.

Phala Mire brings more than two decades of executive leadership in supplier diversity, economic development, and organizational operations to her new national role. She joins NMSDC following her tenure as President & CEO of WBEC Metro New York & Greater DMV, where she led strategic growth initiatives and strengthened collaboration between women-owned businesses, major corporations, and public-sector partners.

Throughout her career, Mire has been a driving force in advancing inclusive procurement ecosystems and building scalable, results-oriented programs that expand access to opportunity for underrepresented businesses. Her experience spans regional and national leadership, including earlier roles within the NMSDC network where she guided affiliate councils and supported multi-state supplier diversity strategies.

“Phala is a respected leader who understands both the operational rigor and the human impact required to move supplier diversity forward,” said Angela Dingle, President and CEO of Women Impacting Public Policy. “Her appointment reflects a strong commitment to strengthening national coordination, accountability, and outcomes across the ecosystem. WIPP looks forward to continued collaboration with Phala and NMSDC as we work together to expand access, influence policy, and drive measurable economic impact for diverse businesses.”

Mire is widely recognized for her ability to bridge strategy and execution, aligning stakeholders around shared goals while delivering tangible results. She has partnered extensively with corporate leaders, national organizations, and regional affiliates to advance certification, capacity-building, and growth initiatives rooted in long-term impact.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree from Tulane University and an MBA from LSU Shreveport. Her professional honors include multiple leadership awards and national recognition for her contributions to supplier diversity and economic inclusion.

WIPP congratulates Phala Mire on this significant milestone and welcomes her continued leadership in shaping a more inclusive and resilient economy.

Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Welcomes New Board Members for 2026

Washington, D.C., December 2025 — Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is pleased to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors for 2026. These accomplished leaders bring a broad range of expertise across law, entrepreneurship, technology, and organizational leadership, strengthening WIPP’s mission to advance women-owned businesses and elevate the voice of women entrepreneurs in national policy conversations.

New Members Joining the WIPP Board of Directors (2026)

Nichole Atallah
Nichole Atallah is a Partner at PilieroMazza PLLC and serves as Chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Group. She advises employers—particularly government contractors—on labor and employment compliance, workforce strategy, and corporate governance matters. Her experience includes guiding organizations through wage and hour issues, internal investigations, labor relations, and employment agreements, helping businesses navigate complex regulatory environments while building resilient and compliant operations.

Dee Marshall
Dee Marshall is the CEO and Managing Partner of Diverse & Engaged, an advisory firm focused on advancing equity, leadership, and organizational effectiveness. A nationally recognized thought leader, Marshall works with executives and organizations to strengthen culture, talent strategy, and leadership accountability. Her work centers on helping organizations translate values into measurable outcomes, fostering inclusive growth and long-term sustainability across sectors.

Ana Quintana
Ana Quintana is the President and CEO of Crocus, LLC, a Latina-owned technology and data consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. She brings deep experience in education technology, data strategy, and organizational transformation. After building and leading a successful technology practice for more than a decade, Quintana founded Crocus to support mission-driven organizations with data-informed solutions that improve outcomes, enable innovation, and drive positive social impact.

“We are thrilled to welcome Nichole Atallah, Dee Marshall, and Ana Quintana to the WIPP Board of Directors. Each brings a powerful combination of expertise, leadership, and commitment to advancing women-owned businesses. Their perspectives and experience will be instrumental as we continue to expand opportunity, strengthen our policy impact, and ensure women entrepreneurs have a strong, influential voice at the national level," Angela Dingle, President and CEO of WIPP, shared.

WIPP is honored to welcome these leaders to its Board of Directors. Collectively, their experience in entrepreneurship, advocacy, professional services, and technology will support WIPP’s strategic priorities in 2026, strengthening the organization’s ability to expand opportunity, influence public policy, and empower women-owned businesses nationwide.

For more information about WIPP and its leadership, visit www.wipp.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) Mourns the Passing of Dr. Marsha Firestone

Washington, D.C. – Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) commends Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez for her decades of distinguished public service and congratulates her on her decision to retire at the end of her current term. As Ranking Member (and formerly Chair) of the House Small Business Committee, Congresswoman Velázquez has been a champion of women-owned small businesses and demonstrated strong leadership on ensuring more equitable access to the federal marketplace.

WIPP especially acknowledges Congresswoman Velázquez’s instrumental role in advancing the “Rule of Two” policy, which holds that when contracting agencies have two or more qualified small-businesses in a designated category (such as women-owned small businesses), those agencies are required to set aside the procurement exclusively for that category. Under her leadership, the Small Business Committee conducted oversight and advocated for stronger implementation of this approach, creating practical openings for more women-entrepreneurs to compete, win, and scale in federal contracting.

Her leadership was instrumental in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Council’s recent decision to retain the Rule of Two, a critical protection that preserves fair competition and ensures that qualified small businesses—including women-owned firms—can enter, compete, and thrive in federal contracting. This outcome reflects Congresswoman Velázquez’s commitment to safeguarding small business opportunities and her deep understanding of the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs.

WIPP will honor her legacy by continuing to push for the codification of the Rule of Two, ensuring that this foundational protection remains strong, consistent, and permanent across the federal marketplace.

“Beyond procurement policy, Congresswoman Velázquez has used her platform to elevate the voices of women-business owners of all backgrounds, advance access to capital, and help break down structural barriers to federal contracting,” said Angela Dingle, WIPP President and CEO. Her legacy will include a tangible expansion of opportunity for women-owned enterprises and a heightened national focus on supplier-diversity as a driver of economic growth.”

WIPP thanks Congresswoman Velázquez for leadership, and we look forward to working collaboratively in the years ahead to build on the foundation she helped lay. We wish her every success in her next chapter and express our deep gratitude for her partnership in advancing women’s economic opportunity.

WIPP looks forward to continued collaboration with NMSDC under Cravins’ leadership, working together to strengthen opportunities for small businesses across the country and advance shared goals that support business owners in every sector.

The NBIC Top 50 SME for Impact designation honored small and medium-size enterprises that demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to advancing inclusive economic growth. The awardees nominated by WIPP represented the spirit of women’s entrepreneurship and the power of diverse business leadership.

WIPP recognized the following honorees:

• Geri Stengel, Founder and President, Ventureneer

• Dee C. Marshall, CEO, Diverse & Engaged

• Tameka Montgomery, President and CEO, Core Strategy Partners, Inc.

• Kym Ali, Founder, Kym Ali Consulting

Each of these leaders was selected for their measurable impact in uplifting small businesses, expanding access to opportunity, and championing inclusive business ecosystems nationwide.

The NBIC BOTB Awards Program celebrated outstanding SMEs alongside NBIC’s signature corporate honors, including Program or Initiative of the Year, Network Impact Advocate of the Year, and the Candace Waterman Living By Your Values Award, named after WIPP’s former President & CEO.

As part of its mission to empower women-owned businesses through advocacy, education, and economic opportunity, Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) is deepening its engagement in energy policy through a meaningful partnership with Natural Allies for a Clean Energy Future. WIPP President and CEO Angela Dingle recently sat down to share insights on why this collaboration matters—and how energy affordability and access are increasingly becoming central issues for women entrepreneurs nationwide.

Leading with Experience

Angela Dingle has served as President and CEO of WIPP since 2023, guiding the organization’s national, nonpartisan advocacy efforts on behalf of the country’s 14 million women-owned businesses. In addition to her leadership at WIPP, she is the President and CEO of Ex Nihilo Management, LLC, and a Certified Management Consultant (CMC) with over 20 years of experience spanning business leadership, IT governance, risk management, compliance, software engineering, and quality assurance.

Dingle’s professional journey has given her a unique perspective on the intersections between technology, cybersecurity, and energy—industries that have rapidly evolved yet continue to shape the way businesses operate. “Cybersecurity and energy both come down to the same core issue: resilience,” she explains. “Businesses need reliable systems and reliable power to grow, innovate, and compete.”

Why Energy Policy Matters to Women-Owned Businesses

Through WIPP’s work with Natural Allies, Dingle and her team have been amplifying the voices of women business owners in national conversations around energy. “We are deeply appreciative of our partnership with Natural Allies and the leadership of Senator Landrieu, Congressman Ryan, Mayor Nutter, and others who are helping drive the conversation around natural gas and its role in the broader energy mix,” she shared.

Energy affordability, reliability, and choice have emerged as critical issues for small and women-owned businesses across the country. The increasing energy demands of technologies like AI, combined with rising costs—particularly along the East Coast—are creating new challenges for entrepreneurs. “This is an issue women business owners care deeply about,” Dingle said. “Affordability, real choices, and the growing demands on our energy grid are all concerns that directly affect their businesses.”

A Balanced Approach to Energy and Equity

For WIPP, these discussions are not just about policy—they’re about equity and opportunity. “Small businesses, especially women-owned and minority-owned businesses, are feeling the weight of rising energy costs,” Dingle noted. “Recent reporting by the Progressive Policy Institute shows that disadvantaged communities often face the highest energy burdens, which directly impacts their ability to grow and thrive.”

When Dingle engages with stakeholders on energy policy, she starts with those lived experiences. “For many business owners, this isn’t an abstract issue—it’s about affordability and reliability. We shouldn’t frame natural gas and renewables as an either/or conversation. Both play a role in creating a balanced energy mix that supports lower costs and a smoother transition.”

She emphasizes that business leaders must raise awareness and ensure that diverse perspectives are represented in policy discussions. “If we center equity and listen to what these communities need, we can build an energy future that is both affordable and sustainable.”

The Cost of Inaction

Failing to invest in natural gas and other reliable energy sources, Dingle warns, carries real consequences. “We risk higher energy costs, less reliability, and more strain on already overburdened grids,” she said. “For business owners operating on thin margins, that can mean the difference between growth and survival. Natural gas isn’t the whole solution, but it’s a critical part of a balanced energy mix.”

Breaking Down the Disconnect

Dingle has seen firsthand how awareness changes the conversation. At recent events—including USBC’s National Conference, NAWBO’s 50th Anniversary celebration, and discussions with thought leaders like Mayor Michael Nutter and Neel Brown of the Progressive Policy Institute—she witnessed how quickly perceptions shift when business owners connect energy policy to their daily realities.

“What we expected to be a brief Q&A turned into more than 30 minutes of thoughtful dialogue,” she recalled. “It reminded me that many people see energy policy as distant or too technical—until they realize how directly it impacts their lives and businesses.”

That realization is driving WIPP’s continued focus on energy education. “Once business owners understand the importance of energy diversification and infrastructure investment, their interest grows quickly,” Dingle said. “They want to learn how it affects their costs, their competitiveness, and their long-term growth.”

Continuing the Conversation

Through its partnership with Natural Allies, WIPP is helping bridge that knowledge gap—creating space for dialogue, sharing resources, and ensuring that women-owned businesses have a voice in shaping the nation’s energy future.

“At WIPP, we see it as our responsibility to raise awareness, foster education, and make sure business owners can share their perspectives,” Dingle concluded. “By doing so, we empower them to make informed choices and advocate for an energy future that supports both their businesses and their communities.”

Women Impacting Public Policy and Women Business Owners Voice Strong Support for the Small Business RELIEF Act

Washington, D.C. — Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP) alongside small business leaders from across the country, announced strong support for Senator Edward Markey’s Small Business RELIEF Act, legislation that would exempt small businesses from tariffs and provide refunds for duties already paid.

Julie Rothhouse, CEO of SynaVoice and Chair Emerita of the Board of the Women Impacting Public Policy Education Institute, attended Senator Markey’s press conference on Capitol Hill this week, alongside Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) upon the introduction of the Small Business Relief Act, and to share how tariffs are impacting small business owners.

“Tariffs are increasing costs for government contractors across sectors, forcing firms to absorb higher input prices or negotiate difficult contract adjustments, which can threaten contract performance, delivery schedules, and even lead to canceled orders,” Rothhouse said. “Small businesses are innovative and resilient, but they cannot thrive under the double burden of uncertainty and tariffs. By passing this bill, Congress would be protecting the backbone of our economy from being crushed by forces beyond their control.”

Angela Dingle, President and CEO of WIPP, underscored the urgency of the bill:

“WIPP strongly supports Senator Markey’s Small Business RELIEF Act, which would exempt small businesses from tariffs. 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.”

WIPP and its partners strongly support the Small Business Relief Act. Small firms, including women-owned firms shared the following statements in support of the bill:

• Alycia M. Huston, Founder & CEO, CultureCru: “Our small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Relief from tariffs is essential to keeping them competitive, resilient, and able to grow. We fully support this legislation.”
• Patrice LaPorte, President, Eagle Strategic: “We support the intent of the proposed Small Business RELIEF Act to exempt small businesses from duties imposed under the 2025 national emergency. This year has been defined by frequent policy changes and shifting trade priorities, and this bill offers welcome stability. Refunds for duties already paid would provide timely relief and restore critical cash flow. With over 34 million small firms generating approximately 43.5% of the nation’s GDP, small businesses remain the true backbone of the U.S. economy.”
• Dotti Lee, Founder & CEO, TransPacific Communications: “Small business is the backbone of this country. We have been hit hard in recent years, first by the COVID-19 pandemic and then by the cancellation of contracts from many federal agencies due to DOGE. Many small businesses are barely surviving as a result. We simply can't afford tariffs to be added, which will most likely put us at a tremendous disadvantage, and many of us will not survive. We strongly endorse Senator Markey's bill to require exemptions and refunds from tariffs for small businesses, to build back America's economy.”
• LaTonia Pouncey, President and CEO of The Pouncey Group, LLC: “By providing targeted tariff exemptions, streamlined trade processes, and critical financial relief, this legislation serves as a lifeline for small businesses striving to thrive in a challenging global economy. It addresses the burdens faced by women-owned and small business enterprises, paving the way for innovation, growth, and long-term success. We applaud Senator Markey and WIPP for their commitment to this vital initiative and encourage small business leaders, policymakers, and advocates to champion this bill to empower America’s entrepreneurs.”

The Small Business RELIEF Act provides critical tools to help America’s entrepreneurs weather economic uncertainty and remain competitive in the global marketplace. WIPP and its members urge Congress to swiftly advance this legislation.

About Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP):
WIPP is a national, nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women entrepreneurs — strengthening their impact on the economy, creating equality in economic access, and influencing policy to support the growth and success of women-owned businesses.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Sue Schweim Tellier, President of JetCo Federal and Vice Chair of Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP), testified before the House Small Business Subcommittee on Contracting and Infrastructure at a hearing titled “Leveling the Playing Field: Fostering Opportunities for Small Business Contractors.”

In her remarks, she underscored the critical role small businesses play in federal contracting, while warning that opportunities are shrinking at an alarming rate. Since 2010, the number of small businesses winning federal contracts has dropped by 50%, despite overall contract spending increasing.

“Small businesses are not just beneficiaries of federal contracts—they are essential partners,” Schweim Tellier testified. “They bring innovation, agility, and cost savings, while providing the government and taxpayers with options to meet mission needs quickly and effectively. Protecting and expanding our role in federal procurement is both sound policy and a strategic imperative.”

She emphasized that the Rule of Two—a long-standing requirement ensuring contracting officers set aside contracts for small businesses when at least two are capable of performing the work—must be preserved and codified. She also raised concerns about proposed changes to the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) that weaken requirements for market research and reduce opportunities for small businesses.

She highlighted the importance of small and socio-economic set-asides—including Women-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), HUBZones, 8(a), and Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses. “These programs are not acts of charity,”  Schweim Tellier said. “They ensure that the government benefits from the innovation, competition, flexibility, and value small businesses bring. Undermining them is not good business, nor good government.”

As a national, nonpartisan organization advocating on behalf of women-owned businesses, WIPP continues to urge Congress to strengthen small business participation in federal procurement by:

●      Codifying and consistently applying the Rule of Two across all contracting vehicles.

●      Restoring market research requirements that ensure small businesses are considered in procurement decisions.

●      Safeguarding small and socio-economic set-aside programs that promote innovation, competition, and value for taxpayers.

The full hearing can be viewed here: House Small Business Committee Hearing – September 10, 2025.

About Women Impacting Public Policy (WIPP):

WIPP is a national, nonpartisan organization that advocates on behalf of women entrepreneurs, strengthening their impact on public policy, creating economic opportunities, and driving solutions to challenges facing small businesses.

“The cost of healthcare consistently ranks among the top concerns for business owners, including women business owners,” said Angela Dingle, President and CEO of WIPP. “We are encouraged by the bipartisan support for extending these subsidies and appreciate the leadership of Congresswoman Jen Kiggans and her colleagues in introducing the Premium Tax Credit Extension Act.”

The bill aligns with our longstanding calls to bring down the cost of health coverage for women-owned businesses, as outlined in our latest Economic Blueprint. If enacted, the legislation would extend ACA premium tax credits through January 1, 2027.