Tag: U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Phillips Wins Chamber of Commerce Jefferson-Hamilton Bipartisanship Award for Second Straight Year

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce honored Rep. Dean Phillips (MN-03) with the Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship for the second year in a row. The Chamber gives Phillips high marks for working across the aisle and leading on legislation to support entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. In May, the non-partisan Lugar Center named Phillips the 12th most bipartisan member in the House of Representatives.

“I’m on a mission to inspire a new era of collaboration in Congress,” Phillips said. “As other political leaders focus on division, my staff and I will always prioritize unifying over common ground for the common good. I thank the Chamber for once again recognizing this important work.”

“These awards recognize members of Congress who demonstrated a commitment to advancing bipartisan solutions that address our nation’s problems and move our economy forward,” said U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Suzanne Clark. “In a time of intense polarization and gridlock, Rep. Phillips’s record of working across the aisle is to be commended.” 

Continue reading “Phillips Wins Chamber of Commerce Jefferson-Hamilton Bipartisanship Award for Second Straight Year”

Chamber of Commerce draws fire after a risky bet on Democrats

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The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s biggest business lobby, is encountering challenges on multiple fronts as it seeks warmer relations with Democrats after years of lockstep loyalty to Republicans — a strategic shift that is souring relations with some GOP allies on Capitol Hill and alarmingsome members and state affiliates.

The blowback from Republicans threatens to further upend the Chamber’s longtime status as the most potent corporate lobby in Washington, just as the Biden administration pushes a sweeping agenda that includes significant tax hikes on big businesses and a raft of new regulations. And it comes amid a broader rift between corporate leaders, who have become more outspoken advocates of some progressive causes, and a Republican Party that increasingly sees political advantage in attacking business executives.

In recent months, the Chamber has been the object of sharp attacks by leading conservatives. Sen. Tom Cotton (Ark.) called it a “front service for woke corporations.” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.) called it “confused.” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) was so irked by the Chamber’s decision to endorse 23 freshman House Democrats for reelection last fall that he said he doesn’t even want its endorsement anymore. Continue reading.

Republican Drift Toward Far Right Strains Traditional Business Ties

The nation’s most powerful business lobby has long been an ally of Republicans on Capitol Hill.

Now, that may be changing.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which calls itself the “world’s largest business organization,” and aims to “advocate for pro-business policies,” has spent $1.6 billion on federal lobbying — more than double the next largest interest group — and more than $116 million on political expenditures since 1998. But in recent years, it has shifted its rhetoric, embracing more bipartisanship and commonsense policy solutions, as citizens demand more social responsibility from businesses. Continue reading.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Dean Phillips for Re-Election

Chamber lauds Phillips as a “friend of business” 

MINNETONKA, MINNESOTA – Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce officially endorsed Dean Phillips (D, MN-03) for re-election. A business leader and entrepreneur before running for office in 2018, Phillips refuses all campaign contributions from special interests, PACs, and federal lobbyists, and has emerged as a pragmatic, independent-minded leader on small business issues and government reform in Congress. Recognizing Phillips for his strong support of small business and economic growth, and his commitment to working across the aisle on issues of national importance, the nation’s largest business organization took the rare step of endorsing a freshman Democrat. 

“As one of the few entrepreneurs in Congress, I’m especially grateful to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for their endorsement,” said Phillips. “My thirty years of experience creating, leading, and growing businesses in Minnesota brings a unique perspective to policy-making and illuminates my mission to inspire a new era of collaboration in Congress. I’m grateful to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for recognizing and supporting the need for bipartisanship as we pave the path to prosperity for all Americans.” 

Continue reading “U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Dean Phillips for Re-Election”

One of the GOP’s biggest sugar daddies is backing away from its congressional candidates — thanks to Trump

AlterNet logoThe U.S. Chamber of Commerce is withholding its support for congressional Republicans heading into next year’s campaign.Corporate chamber members want to distance themselves from President Donald Trump over concerns about alienating consumers, and has tried to rebrand the business group as centrist, reported the Washington Examiner.

The chamber insists that defending the GOP congressional majority remains the group’s top priority next year, but Republicans have complained the business group isn’t being aggressive enough in its support.

“If the chamber isn’t the Republican counter to the AFL-CIO, where are Republicans going to turn for that umbrella support that they need in races?” said Trump surrogate Jack Kingston, a former GOP congressman from Georgia. “Corporations are a little skittish, so therefore the chamber is getting a little skittish.”

View the complete September 23 article by Travis Gettys from Raw Story on the AlterNet website here.

‘It’s a significant shift in our thinking’: Business takes fresh look at Democrats

The following article by Lorraine Woellert and Marianne Levine was posted on the Politico website July 31, 2018:

If businesses shift significant support away from Republicans, it could deal a blow to GOP fundraising. But some Democrats are skeptical that the talk will translate into cash for their campaigns.

Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips (left) said that the political network would not help Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) in his Senate race against Democratic incumbent Heidi Heitkamp, citing inconsistencies on a range of Koch priorities. Credit: Andrew Harnik, AP Photo

Business groups, at war with President Donald Trump over trade and immigration, say they’re taking steps to rebuild the political center — including taking fresh looks at moderate Democrats.

The American Bankers Association this month began airing ads in support of candidates for the first time, including Democrats Sen. Jon Tester of Montana and Rep. Lou Correa of California. The International Franchise Association has more than doubled its support to Democrats this cycle, with 27 percent of its donations going to centrists in the party. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which leans heavily Republican, endorsed Democratic Rep. Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey over Republican John McCann, who has the support of former Trump aide Sebastian Gorka.

Even the powerful Koch network appears to be withholding some support for the Republican Party, if not outright supporting Democrats. Americans for Prosperity President Tim Phillips said at a donor retreat Monday that the political network would not help Rep. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) in his Senate race against Democratic incumbent Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.), citing inconsistencies on a range of Koch priorities.

View the complete article here.

The Trump administration just changed its overtime guidance — and business cheers

The following article by Juliet Eilperin was posted on the Washington Post website January 8, 2018:

em>Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta at the White House prior to President Trump’s remarks on tax reform on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2017. (Salwan Georges/The Washington Post)

The Labor Department revived 17 opinion letters to employers issued during the final days of George W. Bush’s second term, a move that represents a shift in how the department will enforce compliance with overtime and other wage requirements.

The letters from the Wage and Hour Division, which were withdrawn once Barack Obama took office, provide interpretations of how the Fair Labor Standards Act applies in individual cases. The Obama administration stopped issuing these letters altogether, instead releasing broader “Administrator’s Interpretations” that laid out how the department viewed employers’ specific obligations under the law. Continue reading “The Trump administration just changed its overtime guidance — and business cheers”