Updated
June 20, 2025
Published
June 20, 2025
As a trusted advocate, the U.S. Chamber regularly meets with members of Congress, congressional staff, policy makers, and administration officials to share expertise, provide policy analysis, and promote collaboration between government and industry leaders.
Building strong relationships among these stakeholders empowers the Chamber and business community to play a vital role in shaping policies that benefit American workers and businesses.
This includes providing key issues to members of Congress on a variety of top topics.
In recent months, five issue experts from the U.S. Chamber have testified before Congressional Committees on topics ranging from AI to veteran hiring.
Creating Better Transitions to Civilian Life for Veterans
“Today’s transitioning service members need more than TAP as they search for postmilitary careers. They need programs that provide them with the tools and resources to help translate their skills, search for and find industries and opportunities, and connect with employers.” – Liz O’Brien, Director of Hiring Our Heroes' Military Spouse Program, before House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on strengthening the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to ensure a smoother transition to civilian life for tomorrow's veterans.
International Armaments Cooperation
“True FMS transformation is a task for the interagency, in partnership with the Congress, administration, and private sector. Without a unified approach, true FMS transformation will remain elusive.” – Keith Webster, President of the Defense and Aerospace Council, before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the Department of Defense responsibilities related to Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and international armaments cooperation.
U.S. Leadership in AI Regulation
“Preventing the spread of Europe's regulatory approach is crucial. It will fragment global AI governance, deter investment, and burden businesses striving to innovate and compete.” – Sean Heather, Senior Vice President for International Regulatory Affairs and Antitrust, before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade on AI regulation and the future of U.S. leadership.
Deterring Illegal Robocalls
“The Chamber’s research has repeatedly shown how the TCPA has created a cottage industry of unnecessary and often abusive litigation, including class-actions, burdening how businesses reach their customers, while doing little to stop truly abusive robocalls or robotexts and protect consumers.” – Stephen Waguespack, President of the Institute for Legal Reform and Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber Federation for State and Local Advocacy, before House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on impacts of illegal robocalls and robotexts as well as the current progress and next steps to deter these scam communications.
Improving the Permitting Process
“Unless the 2024 [particulate matter] rule is rescinded, it will block the permitting of new manufacturing facilities and associated good-paying jobs, pushing investment overseas just at a time when we are trying to bring back manufacturing and stronger supply chains.” – Chad Whiteman, Vice President for Environment and Regulatory Affairs, at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment on how the Clean Air Act impacts building necessary infrastructure and onshoring American innovation.
Liz O’Brien, Director of Hiring Our Heroes' Military Spouse Program, before House Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity on strengthening the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to ensure a smoother transition to civilian life for tomorrow's veterans.
Chad Whiteman, Vice President for Environment and Regulatory Affairs, at a hearing before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment on how the Clean Air Act impacts building necessary infrastructure and onshoring American innovation.
Keith Webster, President of the Defense and Aerospace Council, before the Senate Armed Services Committee on the Department of Defense responsibilities related to Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and international armaments cooperation.
Stephen Waguespack, President of the Institute for Legal Reform and Senior Vice President of the U.S. Chamber Federation for State and Local Advocacy, before House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations on impacts of illegal robocalls and robotexts as well as the current progress and next steps to deter these scam communications.
Sean Heather, Senior Vice President for International Regulatory Affairs and Antitrust, before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade on AI regulation and the future of U.S. leadership.
About the author
Rachel Ledbetter
Rachel Ledbetter is a director of policy and political communications at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
