Roger Williams

Rep. Roger Williams, R-Texas, on Friday pointed to stronger-than-expected April jobs numbers as evidence that President Donald Trump’s economic policies are boosting confidence among small businesses and driving growth across the country.

The Labor Department reports that the U.S. economy added 115,000 jobs in April, nearly double economists’ expectations, while the unemployment rate held steady at 4.3%.

Williams, chairman of the House Small Business Committee and a longtime business owner, told Newsmax that the latest report reflects growing optimism among employers.

''I’m not surprised at the numbers,'' Williams said during an interview with ''Wake Up America" Friday morning.

''I mean, I’m a small business owner myself for 57 years, still own my business,'' he added.

''And the attitude out there among the country in which I’m out there a lot is very positive among small business owners.''

Williams credited Trump’s economic agenda, including tax cuts and deregulation, for helping businesses expand and hire workers.

''The big, beautiful bill did so much for this economy,'' Williams said.

''It locked in taxes, we cut regulations to community banks that were being choked to death by the Biden administration, 100% expensing to manufacturing.''

Williams also argued the legislation protects family-owned businesses by raising the inheritance threshold, referring to changes increasing the federal estate and gift tax exemption to $15 million per individual and $30 million for married couples.

''One thing that doesn’t get reported on is we saved the family farm, per se, by raising [the] inheritance limit from $15 million to $30 million,'' he said.

''So now you can pass generational businesses onto families, which is very, very important.''

The Texas Republican said lower taxes and easier lending conditions are increasing cash flow for businesses and consumers alike.

''In my personal business, like so many, I mean, first of all, you’re cutting taxes,'' Williams said.

''That means more cash flow to your business, less regulations and banks means easier to loan money to get money for a line of credit or your payroll account if you’re going to build anything.

''And now you can buy equipment right off 100%. That’s huge,'' he said.

Williams also highlighted Trump-backed policies eliminating taxes on tips and overtime pay.

''We got no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, which converts to cash flow in the system and means people will come buy a product from me, for example, that they couldn’t have otherwise,'' he said.

''So you give more money to the people. It’s more cash flow. It’s more opportunities, more jobs.''

The April jobs report showed gains concentrated in health care, transportation and warehousing, retail, and social assistance, while federal government employment continued to decline. Economists have cautioned that geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and rising energy costs could still pressure the labor market in coming months.

Williams also discussed economic opportunities tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup, which will bring matches to the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

''It’s almost like having a manufacturing plant built in your area where you hire jobs and create opportunities,'' he said.

''In my area, it’s going to mean billions of dollars of income coming in that wouldn’t be there otherwise.''

Williams said small businesses across North Texas expect a major boost from tourism and consumer spending tied to the tournament.

''They all feel like they’re going to feel the benefit from it, 10 to 15% increase, some said,'' Williams said.

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