1. National Federation of Independent Businesses Leon Stilwell

2. History Founded in 1943 by C. Wilson Harder in San Mateo, California, charging its members $8.50 a year. The organization’s party position is determined by polling its members. In recent years, the Federation has contributed to more business friendly Republicans.

3. History It has grown from its small, locally focused beginnings to a national organization that Fortune Magazine rates as the #1 business lobby in Washington. Their PAC is called Save America’s Free Enterprise Trust.

4. Purpose To protect the needs and rights of small businesses across the United States.

5. Membership To be a member of NFIB, you must own a small business and pay dues. As a member, you receive many benefits including access to the NFIB website, which has many resources for small business and discounts on services like FedEx.

6. Issues The organization has 25 members in Congress elected in 2010, all Republican. Also in 2010, NFIB became the lead plaintiff opposing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. In the Supreme Court decision of NFIB vs. Sebelius, most provisions of the act were upheld. NFIB was able to secure a victory on individual mandates.

7. Issues NFIB was able to extend the Bush Tax Cuts through 2012. NFIB is also against many proposed laws including raising minimum wage and taxes.

8. Website The NFIB website tries to draw you in by advertising some of the many benefits you will receive by joining. There are also links to NFIB produced videos detailing their positions on certain topics.

9. Website NFIB has a sub-branch in each state, so if one would like more information, they can contact their state NFIB office.