Introduction and for her leadership of this great organization. Good to be here today to welcome all of you. Welcome you to washington, d. C. It is an honor to be with all of you, with the nfib, a pillar of American Opportunity and prosperity. [applause] the National Federation of independent business has been such an extraordinary champion over the decades. For Small Businesses and entrepreneurs across this country. And its great to be able to address you today. And its a particular honor for me to bring greetings from a friend of mine, who him who himself is a business man in an independent business, whos fighting every day for job creators just like all of you. The 45th president of the United States of america, President Donald Trump. Cheers and applause] you know, the president sent me here this morning to deliver a message. But first and foremost, to just say thanks. With the strong support of Small Business owners like you all across this country, President Trump last fall won a historic victory. More counties than any president since ronald reagan, 30 of 50 states, states no republican had actually carried in a generation, and the president and i couldnt be more grateful for the men and women of the nfib who stood with this president all along the way. Thank you for your support. [applause] and before i go any further, let me give you a quick update on one of the president s top promises and top priorities. As we speak, the president and i are pleased to report here in this building the United States senate is moving forward on legislation to repeal and replace obamacare. Cheers and applause] in the coming days with the leadership of our president , the American People and american Small Businesses, i believe, will witness the beginning of the end of the obamacare nightmare. Ill speak more about that. [applause] ill speak more about health care in just a few moments. But first, let me again give my thanks and admiration to all the members of the National Federation of independent business. Nfib is a titan of american excellence and entrepreneurship. For nearly 75 years the nfib has brought together american Small Businesses and given them a voice in the halls of government. Today those of you gathered in this auditorium at the United States capitol represent a staggering 325,000 Small Businesses from every state in this country. And its remarkable to think about the impact that each and every one of you have. You create jobs, you provide a pathway of opportunity for generations of americans. And you are literally the corner stone of American Communities from the smallest towns to the largest cities. President trump probably said it best when he said that Small Businesses in his words body the american Pioneering Spirit and remind us that determination can turn aspiration into achievement every single day. And he couldnt be more right about Small Businesses in america. Give yourselves a round of applause for the difference that you make each and every day. [applause] you know, i just had the joy of meeting with about 20 Small Businesses from my home state of indiana. And the great to see so many good friends here who i know make a tremendous difference back in the hooser state. They know that i grew up in a small Family Business in a small town in southern indiana. I went to work at one of my dads gas stations when i was only about 14 years of age. I know the sacrifices that Small Business owners make. And know that a Small Business is really all about family. Whether its your immediate family, your extended family, or the family of your employees. So i understand and appreciate the sacrifices and the unique joys of being involved in a Small Business. As the world knows, President Trump grew up in a Family Business too. Although his ended up to be a little bit bigger than my familys. [laughter] you know, we both know the sacrifices that are required, though, to make a business work. And more than that, President Trump and i know that when Small Business is strong, america is strong. [applause] we both know Small Businesses are the engine of the American Economy. And since day one of this administration, President Trump has been fighting to restart the engine of this economy and rev it up like never before. Our president has picked a world class cabinet full of entrepreneurs, including the head of the Small Business administration, administrator linda mcmahon, who is an outstanding american success story. [applause] and with the support of his cabinet and with the help of the congress, President Trump has been busy rolling back the heavy hand of government on Small Business. Im happy to report to you this president has actually signed more laws cutting through federal red tape than any president in american history. [applause] legislation the president s already signed that congress put on his desk is saving businesses like yours up to 18 billion a year. In regulatory cost. In fact, the president also instructed every agency in washington, d. C. , to find two regulations to get rid of before issuing any new federal red tape on americas job creators. [applause] and in case you didnt notice, the American People elected a builder to be president of the United States. And President Trump has already started to rebuild america and we wont stop until america once again has the best roads, the best bridges, the best airports and the best harbors and the best future we could ever have. [applause] President Trumps leadership is already making a remarkable difference too. Since inauguration day, im pleased to report businesses like those gathered here today have created more than 850,000 new good paying jobs all across america. Company after company are responding to the president s agenda with optimism and investment, like the historic investment that was made in an announcement yesterday at the white house alone. By foxconn. A Company Investing 10 billion in the heartland of america. In Small Businesses and manufactures, were told, havent been this confident in a decade or more. And they should be. Because our president is a man of his word. Hes a man of action. And under President Donald Trump, american Small Business is back and prosperity is here to stay. [applause] but its been a busy six months. Likes to say nt in the oval office, thats what we call a good start. The truth is, we have a lot more work to do. As i said at the outset, in the coming days, President Trump working with this congress is absolutely committed to rescuing the American People rom the disaster of obamacare. [applause] we all know the truth. Every day obamacare survives is another day that american businesses and American Families struggle. We all remember the broken promises they made to get obamacare passed. They said if you like your doctor, you can keep him. Not true. They said, if you liked your Health Insurance, you could keep it. Not true. We were told the cost of Health Insurance would go down if obamacare passed seven years ago. That ones absolutely not true. In fact, our administration has confirmed that the average premium on the individual market is more than has more than doubled since obamacare went into effect. Less than four years ago. And in many states its more than tripled. When obamacare passed, we were actually promised that families would save up to 2,500 in premiums every year, but the average obamacare plan today costs nearly 3,000 more than a plan did in 2013. But i dont have to tell Small Business owners about the struggle and the crisis in Health Insurance costs in america today. You all know also that while premiums are soaring, choices are plummeting. Next year about 40 of americas counties, including nine whole states, will have only one choice of Health Insurance provider. Which means they have no choice at all. Even worse, dozens of counties will have no Health Insurance providers whatsoever. On the Obamacare Exchange in 2018. Its important to remember that while we think of these statistics and we reflect on them as policymakers, were talking about real people facing a real crisis. You all know each and every day that behind every one of these numbers is a name. Behind every name is a story. As ive traveled across the country on our president s behalf, ive heard firsthand from job creators and working families about the burden that obamacare has placed. The burden of higher costs, fewer choices and worse care or people who need it. In anitas words, the high cost of health care has been the number one problem for Small Business owners for 30 years. But as she noted, obamacare turned that problem into a crisis. I want to tell you to all of those gathered here today, help is on the way. Nd its coming soon. [applause] i have heard the same thing from businesses ive talked to, Small Businesses seeing premiums skyrocket by 25 or more every single year. Ive heard from entrepreneurses who had to actually drop their Health Insurance because its completely unaffordable. And thats a heartache for a Small Business owner. You want to be able to provide Health Insurance and benefits for your employees. But you got to make ends meet. Sometimes you have to make those hard choices. Worst of all, ive heard from job creators who cant grow and some who are even struggling to keep their doors open. The men and women of the National Federation of independent business know the truth. Obamacare has failed. And obamacare must go. And let me be clear, this is the moment, now is the time. Despite the opposition of literally every single democrat in both chambers of congress, on tuesday im pleased to report the senate voted and i cast the tiebreaker to begin the debate to repeal and replace obamacare. And the nfib was there helping to make it happen. [applause] let me assure you, President Trump and our entire administration are literally working around the clock with Senate Republicans to finish what they started earlier this week. Throughout the rest of today and im told late into the hours of tonight, the senate will continue debating proposalses from republicans and democrats and when the all said, the worlds greatest deliberative body, i believe, will vote on a bill to keep republicans promise to the American People, to repeal and replace obamacarement obamacare. President trump made it clear just a few short days ago, inaction is not an option. And as the president said this morning, the Senate Republicans, after seven years, this is chairness that their chance to shine. They cant let the American People down. The senate has an opportunity and an obligation to rescue the American People from the consequences of this failed policy. And when the time comes, every single senator, republican and democrat, owes it to the American People to step up, to do the right thing. They owe it to the American People to repeal and replace obamacare. [applause] as is testament by your presence here today, the American People are watching. Because you all know whats at stake. What happens in the coming days will determine the future of American Health care and whether our leaders in congress can demonstrate the courage and determination to keep their word. More than anything else, this will determine whether america still stands by principles that i believe are at the very heart of our experiment in selfgovernment. For the past seven years, weve had Health Care System based on the flawed premise that the federal government should order every american to buy Health Insurance. Whether they want it or need it or not. The bureaucrats and politicians know better than patients and doctors and that, worst of all, the American People cant be trusted to run their own lives and make their own health care choices. Today, literally today, we have a chance. To take a giant step toward restoring a Health Care System based on personal responsibility, free market competition, and statebased reform. And i believe the senate will take that step and will deliver for the American People. On a foundation of freedom. [applause] the president and i believe that the senate will do the right thing. That theyll begin to dismantle the failed policy of obamacare in the coming days. President trump will sign into law. When its all said and done, a bill that puts our country on a path to better, more Affordable Health care for all of the American People. Based on those timeless principles of freedom, competition and statebased reform. After that, ill make you one more promise. Before the end of this year, were going to roll up our sleeves and this president s going to work with the congress and were going to pass one of the largest tax cuts in american history. Cheers and applause] i dont have to tell Small Business owners that the american tax code is one of the Biggest Barriers to success for working families and Small Businesses like all of you gathered here today. Theres an old joke that says that the Internal Revenue code is 10 times the length of the bible, with none of the good news. [laughter] heres some real good news. Were going to cut taxes across the board. For working families, Small Businesses and family farms. [applause] and were going to simplify the tax code by cutting seven brackets down to three. Well eliminate the alternative minimum tax and under President Donald Trump im proud to say that Small Business owners, were going to repeal death taxes once and for all. Cheers and applause] and when it comes to businesses, the president has made it clear that were going to cut the business tax rate to 15 , to make sure that businesses across this country can compete with businesses all across the world. And were going to make sure Small Businesses can realize hat benefit as well. Our administration is already working with the congress to craft a historic tax cut bill. In fact, later today congress and the white house will issue a statement laying out our Guiding Principles for tax reform. Ill make you a promise. Discussionses and negotiations will continue, details will continue to be worked out. Ut rest assured, were going to cut taxes and were going to cut taxes this year. [applause] men and women of the nfib, this is the moment, now is the time. So today i want to offer you a challenge. A challenge to continue to stand with our president as he fights for job creators all across this country. And for a boundless american future. As you meet with your elected representatives in congress this week, tell them youre counting on them to support the president s agenda. To move this country forward. Tell them youre counting on them to repeal and replace obamacare and cut taxes and continue to rollback the heavy hand of government that stands in the way of our prosperity. And when you go and speak with them, speak with confidence. The truth is that Small Business owners i think, and maybe im a little biased because i come from small