Powering Prosperity

Senator Thom Tillis Shares His Vision for a Stronger Economic Future

By AAHOA Staff

Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) brings decades of private-sector experience and legislative leadership to his role in the U.S. Senate. As a sponsor of the Loans In Our Neighborhoods (LIONs) Act, he’s working to expand access to capital for small businesses and hotel owners by raising SBA loan limits. Senator Tillis spoke with Today’s Hotelier about his top legislative priorities, including tax reform, workforce development, and supporting the hospitality industry’s continued recovery.

What are some of your legislative priorities for the upcoming Congress?

My legislative priorities for the upcoming Congress are heavily influenced by the ongoing reconciliation bill. This comprehensive package touches on tax reform, energy policy, and immigration.

One of my top priorities within this reconciliation effort is ensuring that any changes to our tax code are fair and promote economic growth. Extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) is critically important for several reasons. Primarily, it prevents a significant tax increase for many Americans, as many of the individual provisions are set to expire at the end of 2025, which would reduce disposable income and potentially slow the economy. Secondly, extending the TCJA’s business-friendly provisions, like the lower corporate tax rate and full expensing for investments, provides certainty for companies, encouraging them to expand, innovate, and create jobs. Finally, the TCJA has contributed to overall economic growth, and allowing its key components to sunset could jeopardize that momentum, leading to slower growth and fewer opportunities for American families and businesses.

Beyond the reconciliation bill, I remain committed to passing patent eligibility reform through legislation like the Patent Eligibility Restoration Act. This is crucial for fostering innovation and maintaining our competitive edge in critical fields like biotechnology and precision medicine, which are vital for our economic and national security. I’m also focused on strengthening retirement security for low- and middle-income Americans through initiatives like the Retirement Savings for Americans Act and addressing other critical issues, such as immigration reform and veteran care. The reconciliation bill is a major undertaking, but it doesn’t preclude working on these other important priorities.

What sorts of policies, such as tax and regulatory reforms, do you hope to work on to support small business owners and the hospitality industry?

I’ve recently introduced legislation like the Helene Recovery Small Business Act and the Loans in Our Neighborhoods (LIONs) Act of 2025. The LIONs Act aims to increase the maximum gross loan amount for section 7(a) loans from $5 million to $10 million, providing more significant financial support to small businesses and making the program more attractive for lenders. I also believe in reducing red tape and fostering a regulatory environment that allows businesses to thrive.

What excites you the most about serving in Congress?

What excites me most about serving in Congress is the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of North Carolinians and Americans. I’m driven by a desire to ensure economic growth and opportunity for working families and to address complex challenges with pragmatic solutions. Being able to work on issues that bolster American innovation, or policies that directly support small businesses and help communities recover from hardship, is incredibly rewarding.

What industry did you work in before you were elected to Congress?

Before being elected to Congress, I had a 29-year career in the private sector, primarily in technology and management consulting. I worked for companies such as Provident Insurance, Wang Laboratories, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers), and IBM, where I rose to a top-level executive position.

What led you to run for Congress?

My journey into public service began with a desire to make a difference in my local community. After moving to Cornelius, NC, I advocated for a local bike trail and eventually served on the town’s Board of Commissioners. I then went on to serve in the North Carolina House of Representatives, where I was elected as speaker. My experiences in the private sector, coupled with my work at the state level, gave me a deep understanding of policymaking and managing complex organizations. Ultimately, I ran for Congress to continue working on job-creating policies, reforming tax and regulatory codes, and ensuring the American Dream remains accessible for future generations.

What do you most enjoy about staying in hotels?

While I spend a lot of time in hotels due to my work in Congress and traveling across North Carolina, I appreciate the convenience and the ability to focus on the tasks at hand when I’m on the road. I always enjoy the ease of checking in and interacting with friendly hotel staff, and having access to the hotel gym to start my day before meeting with constituents is always a huge benefit.

Why are hotels and hotel owners important to your district and state?

Hotels and hotel owners are incredibly important to North Carolina. The tourism industry, particularly in our coastal communities, is a significant economic driver for our state, generating billions of dollars each year. Hotels are at the heart of this industry, supporting countless jobs and contributing to local economies through guest expenditures at local businesses and increased tax revenues. They are vital to the vibrancy and prosperity of our communities.

The hotel workforce was one of the industries most affected by the pandemic. Do you see Congress playing a role to support building back the hotel workforce?

Absolutely. Congress has a crucial role to play in supporting the rebuilding of the hotel workforce. I’ve supported initiatives like the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, which would expand Pell Grant eligibility to include high-quality, shorter-term education and training programs. This is essential for helping workers reskill and re-enter the workforce, especially in industries like hospitality that faced significant challenges during the pandemic. Additionally, I’ve worked to address issues around guest worker programs, such as the H-2B visa program, which are critical for hotels to meet their seasonal labor demands and maintain operations. Ensuring that our workforce has access to the training and support they need, and that businesses have the ability to meet their staffing needs, is paramount to the recovery and continued growth of the hospitality industry.