House Whip Emmer Praises Independent Agent Impact on Main Street

• By: Will Jones
• April 23, 2026

During the 2026 Big “I” Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minnesota), emphasized the role insurance professionals play in fueling economic opportunity and the impact that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), also referred to as the Working Families Tax Cut, will have on small businesses and American families.

Rep. Emmer was sworn in for his first term in the U.S. House of Representatives in January 2015. He is currently serving his sixth term. After serving as the Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee for the 116th Congress and again for the 117th Congress, Rep. Emmer was elected by his fellow Republican colleagues to be the House Majority Whip. He also sits on the House Financial Services Committee.

As majority whip, Rep. Tom Emmer plays a central role in shaping the legislative agenda. His leadership is informed by his experience working in the insurance industry, where he saw firsthand how financial services and risk management support small businesses, families and local economies.

“Our financial system in America is strong, and the American dream is more attainable than ever before,” he said. “In Congress, we’re working alongside you to give every American the opportunity to pursue their version of that dream. That’s why we passed the historic tax package.”

The Working Families Tax Cut represented a sweeping overhaul of U.S. tax policy and made permanent much of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) while enacting new tax policy.

Most notably for many independent insurance agencies, the bill made permanent the 20% pass-through deduction for qualified business income under Section 199A. According to the 2024 Agency Universe Study, 86% of agencies are structured as pass-through entities and are able to take full advantage of the deduction.

“This law delivered wins not just for the economy, but for individual Americans,” Rep. Emmer said.

He also pointed to the speed at which the slender Republican majority in Congress passed the bill.

“We were able to get this historic bill across the finish line within just seven months of him [President Trump] taking office,” he said.

Turning to the importance of grassroots advocacy, Emmer thanked attendees for engaging directly with lawmakers and underscored the role that independent agents play in shaping policy affecting Main Street by giving lawmakers the perspective needed to protect economic freedom and opportunity.

“Thank you for being here, for putting faces to the issues that matter on Main Street and for taking part in the process,” Rep. Emmer said. “You are a reason this country is free. You give people choices.”

“When it comes to financial services and insurance, what you do defines freedom,” he said. “Access to capital and insurance products allows people to protect what they work hard for and what they love most, their families.”

Looking ahead to the midterm elections, Emmer acknowledged that political disagreements are inevitable but said maintaining mutual respect is essential to a functioning democracy.

“We will disagree. The key is standing up and speaking up for what we believe in while respecting people who see things differently,” Emmer said. “You don’t have to give up your views, but you do have to respect your fellow Americans.”

Lastly, Emmer thanked attendees for their work “as the backbone of Main Steet America,” he said.

“Pursuing the American dream requires taking risks, something we understand in this country probably better than anywhere else on the planet,” he added. “Whether it’s owning a home or running a small business, you make it possible for hardworking Americans to take those risks by providing insurance coverage to millions of people.”

Will Jones is IA editor-in-chief.