1. United States
2. Neb.
3. Letter

I’m writing as a constituent and small-business owner to urge you to address the damage current tariffs are inflicting on local businesses—especially quilt shops, yarn stores, and other craft retailers that rely on imported materials. These tariffs aren’t abstract policy decisions. They have real, immediate consequences. In the last few months alone, I’ve watched three local businesses close because their wholesale costs skyrocketed beyond what they could survive. These are community anchors—places that offer classes, connection, and local jobs—and they are being wiped out. What feels especially absurd is hearing talk of stimulus checks while small businesses are collapsing under tariff burdens. A one-time payment does nothing to fix the root problem. If that money went toward tariff relief or direct support for affected businesses, it could actually keep doors open. Large corporations can absorb or reroute around these costs. Small shops cannot. We pay the tariffs or we close—and too many already have. Please take this seriously and push for meaningful tariff relief. Our local economy can’t afford to lose any more of its small, community-building businesses.