Congressional Family Business Caucus
Serving as the voice for family business, generationally owned businesses, and multigenerational businesses in Washington, DC, Family Enterprise USA members meet with lawmakers to present non-partisan intelligence, research, and information on the economic impact that family businesses have as well as the contributions they make to their communities. As part of our efforts, Family Enterprise USA worked closely with Congress to inspire and help organize the bipartisan, educational Congressional Family Business Caucus.
Mission Statement
- The Family Business Caucus seeks to educate Members of Congress about the contributions of family businesses, the backbone of the American economy, to the nation and local communities. This includes small to large sized businesses from diverse industries that are located throughout the nation.
- The Caucus seeks to create awareness within the Congress about the issues impacting family businesses, including workforce challenges, tax policy, economic issues, and community development.
- The Caucus supports a regulatory landscape that is less burdensome and promotes entrepreneurship and free enterprise.
- The Caucus will connect Members of Congress with family businesses in their district/home state and create a dialogue that promotes a productive exchange of ideas.
Goals
- To promote the role of family businesses as community economic drivers, job creators, and significant donors to charitable and local needs, while also strengthening the national economy and contributing to government revenues.
- There is no legislative agenda.
Structure
- Scope: Bipartisan and bicameral.
- Leadership: One Democratic and one Republican Co-Chair in the House of Representatives and one Democratic and one Republican Co-Chair in the Senate. Additional leadership positions, as needed, will be developed and appointed by the Co-Chairs.
- Membership: The Caucus is open to all Members of Congress interested in promoting family-owned enterprises and in the issues impacting family businesses.
For Members of Congress:
To join the caucus please contact a co-chair…
Caucus Meetings in Washington DC: 3/12, 5/14, and 9/18
Family Business Caucus – Official Confirmed Members
| House Member: Co-Chairs | Constituency |
|---|---|
| Jodey Arrington | Texas 19th |
| Henry Cuellar | Texas 28th |
| Brad Schneider | Illinois 10th |
| Claudia Tenney | New York 24th |
| House Member: General Members | Constituency |
|---|---|
| Drew Ferguson | Georgia 3rd |
| Hillary Scholten | Michigan 3rd |
| Mike Flood | Nebraska 1st |
| Dusty Johnson | South Dakota At-Large |
| Lloyd Smucker | Pennsylvania 11th |
| Robert Aderholt | Alabama 4th |
| David Valadao | California 22nd |
| Nick Langworthy | New York 23rd |
| Mike Levin | California 49th |
| Beth Van Duyne | Texas 24th |
| Marcus Molinaro | New York 19th |
| John Duarte | California 13th |
| Nancy Mace | South Carolina 1st |
| Stacey Plaskett | Virgin Islands At-Large |
| Carol Miller | West Virginia 1st |
| Jared Golden | Maine 2nd |
| Jason Crow | Colorado 6th |
| Angie Craig | Minnesota 2nd |
| Ken Calvert | California 41st |
| Bill Pascrell | New Jersey 9th |
| Glenn Thompson | Pennsylvania 15th |
| Brad Sherman | California 32nd |
| Stephanie Bice | Oklahoma 5th |
| French Hill | Arkansas 2nd |
| Michelle Fischbach | Minnesota 7th |
| Lou Correa | California 46th |
| Joe Neguse | Colorado 2nd |
| Pete Stauber | Minnesota 8th |
| Ashley Hinson | Iowa 2nd |
| Josh Gottheimer | New Jersey 5th |
| Salud Carbajal | California 24th |
| Guy Reschenthaler | Pennsylvania 14th |
| Don Bacon | Nebraska 2nd |
| Russell Fry | South Carolina 7th |
| Josh Harder | California 9th |
| Terri Sewell | Alabama 7th |
| Eleanor Holmes Norton | District of Columbia |
| Mike Kelly | Pennsylvania 16th |
Funding
- Some events and educational programs may be hosted by third parties, such as Family Enterprise USA, and organized in collaboration with the Family Business Caucus and in compliance with House and Senate ethics rules.
Activities
The Members of the Caucus will develop activities that are consistent with the Mission of the Family Business Caucus and will help achieve its goals. These activities will underscore the role of family businesses as job creators, innovators, and contributors to local economies. Examples of these kinds of events and projects are listed below:
- Host an annual fly-in to connect Members of Congress with family businesses in their district/home state. The fly-in could include a roundtable or town hall with House and Senate leadership to discuss issues impacting family businesses. Additionally, the fly-in could recognize family businesses for their success and leadership in philanthropy, community service, social justice, and other good will efforts in their communities.
- Host periodic seminars, forums, and distinguished speaker series events to highlight the critical issues impacting family businesses.
- Write and issue an annual report on the State of America’s Family-Owned Businesses. The report could chronicle positive developments and evolving challenges. It could contain data on family-owned businesses and their impact on GDP, job, and community development.
- Host events virtually and in person on Capitol Hill, Covid-19 protocols permitting.
- Promote internships and educational programs for students interested in entrepreneurship.
- Support educational onsite visits for Members of Congress and staff to visit family businesses in their state/district.
- Establish Family Business Advisory Councils comprised of family businesses in Members’ respective districts/home states.