In Your Corner: My Goals for This Year and Beyond

 

 

 

As I continue helping the U.S. Chamber advance its work on international trade, capital markets, energy, infrastructure, legal reform, and other important issues, I am focusing my legislative, policy, and fund-raising efforts on three areas: education, health care, and greater cooperation among chambers of commerce. I will address each of these issues individually in future columns; for now, here's an overview of what I want to accomplish.

 

In education, my focus is on reauthorizing No Child Left Behind legislation, advancing the initiatives of the Chamber's Institute for a Competitive Workforce, and helping as many children as possible excel in the classroom by assisting in the implementation of best practices in education in partnership with other organizations.

 

In health care, my focus is on reauthorizing the children's state health plan legislation, which provides health care to economically disadvantaged children, and passing legislation that establishes health care information technology standards and interoperability. We must make health care better, more efficient, and more accessible to all. The first major step in this direction must be the widespread implementation of technology, and this starts with standards. The Chamber can also assist in the implementation of best practices and enhance its standing as the employer voice for life sciences issues.

 

Finally, I will work to coordinate and strengthen the relationships by and among the U.S. Chamber and state and local chambers in the areas of grassroots advocacy, policy, and fundraising.