https://www.uschamber.com/political-affairs-and-federation-relations

Political Affairs and Federation Relations

The Political Affairs and Federation Relations division manages relationships with state and local chambers of commerce, trade associations and small businesses and has a membership presence in every state across the country.

We are focused on electing or re-electing pro-business candidates to Congress. That goal is supported by grassroots and lobbying programs to promote policy that positively affects businesses and the economy.

Chamber's 2019 How They Voted Scorecard Released

For more than 40 years, the How They Voted scorecard has been a critical component of the U.S. Chamber’s work.

Beginning with the current Congress, we revised our scorecard to more fully reward members of Congress for helping to advance pro-business policies while simultaneously encouraging members to reach the compromises necessary for effective governing.

The new scorecard is made up of three components:

1. Legislative Vote Score (80% of the total score)

This score functions like the current scorecard with one change: We now reserve the right to doubleweight votes so long as the decision to double-weight the vote is communicated to Capitol Hill in advance.

2. Legislative Leadership Score (10% of the total score)

This score is based on the number of Chamber-endorsed bills a member cosponsors and Chamber-opposed bills the member declines to cosponsor.

Example: If a Member co-sponsors 23 of 30 Chamber-endorsed bills and declines to sponsor all five Chamber opposed bills, her Legislative Leadership Score would be 80% (with the Chamber on 28 of 35 bills).

The Chamber will communicate to Capitol Hill its endorsement or opposition to bills and maintain a current list on USChamber.com.

3. Bipartisan Engagement Score (10% of total score)

This score is based on the share of bills (other than those formally opposed by the Chamber) cosponsored by the member that were introduced by members of the opposite party. This score is calculated relative to the member’s performance against all other members.

Example: If a Republican Member cosponsors 31 bills in total and 19 were introduced by Democrats, 62% of his cosponsored bills will be considered cross-party.

Recent Activity

In the NewsDec 24, 2020 - 11:30am

Brunswick News LTE: Senators have helped small businesses during pandemic

It's no secret that businesses in Georgia and across the country are suffering this year due to the ongoing pandemic. As the medical director of a rural eye clinic, I too have felt the strains of keeping my small business afloat. Like many other small businesses, we've had to adapt and become creative in the way we run our practice and take care of our patients. A recent survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and MetLife found that small businesses anticipate the worst of the pandemic is still ahead. What's more, half (50%) of them believe they will have to close permanently over the coming year in the current climate. Thankfully, Georgia has two business allies in our U.S. Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.

In the NewsDec 15, 2020 - 11:45am

CAPITOL-BEAT: Chamber of commerce execs call for new COVID-19 economic stimulus

Tom Sullivan, vice president of small business policy with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, took phone calls during an hour-long tele-town hall from small business owners in Georgia worried they could be forced to close permanently unless the federal government steps up soon.

In the NewsDec 01, 2020 - 11:45am

HOTLINE: The Other, Other Georgia Runoff

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has reserved $2 million in an issue-advocacy ad campaign boosting Perdue and Loeffler by encouraging them to “keep fighting for pandemic relief.” The TV ad will run on broadcast for nine days in Atlanta, Macon, and Savannah, and for 14 days on cable television.

Press ReleaseDec 01, 2020 - 9:00am

U.S. Chamber and Georgia Chamber Launch Issue Advertisement in Georgia Senate Run-Off Contests

Today, the U.S. Chamber and Georgia Chamber of Commerce released a new $2 million issue advocacy campaign in the state of Georgia. The advertisement, titled “This Holiday Season,” thanks and encourages Senator David Perdue and Senator Kelly Loeffler to continue fighting for pandemic relief that has saved thousands of Georgia’s small businesses and jobs.

In the NewsDec 01, 2020 - 7:45am

FLORIDA POLITICS: U.S. Chamber makes holiday push for David Perdue, Kelly Loeffler

Money continues to move in the Georgia Senate runoffs, with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Chamber of Commerce releasing a new ad on behalf of Republican incumbents David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler.

In the NewsDec 01, 2020 - 7:45am

MORNING SCORE: Justices appear wary of issuing quick census apportionment ruling

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Chamber are going up with a new campaign boosting Perdue and Loeffler. The spot praises the Republican duo for getting pandemic relief for small businesses. It is backed by $2 million in spending and will air on broadcast, cable, OTT and more.

In the NewsNov 30, 2020 - 11:45am

WASHINGTON POST DAILY 202: U.S. Chamber launches $2 million ad buy in Georgia

The U.S. Chamber and Georgia Chamber of Commerce will go on television tomorrow with a positive commercial that urges people to “thank” Republican Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler for “fighting” to deliver pandemic relief to help small businesses. Both face Democratic challengers in Jan. 5 runoffs that will determine which party controls the Senate. The ad will air on broadcast in the Atlanta, Macon and Savannah media markets for nine days, as well as statewide cable for 14 days.

Issue BriefNov 30, 2020 - 6:30am

U.S. Chamber Issue Advocacy Update: Georgia

Today, the U.S. Chamber and Georgia Chamber of Commerce released a new issue advocacy campaign in the state of Georgia. The spot, titled “This Holiday Season,” thanks and encourages Senator David Perdue and Senator Kelly Loeffler to continue fighting for pandemic relief that has saved thousands of Georgia’s small businesses and jobs.

Press ReleaseNov 19, 2020 - 10:15am

U.S. Chamber Awards 15 Chambers of Commerce with Accreditation

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, at its board meeting last week, awarded accreditation to 15 chambers of commerce for their sound policies, effective organizational procedures, and positive impact on their communities.

In the NewsNov 15, 2020 - 10:30am

LMT ONLINE: Oil and gas lobbyists optimistic about 2021

The chamber abstains from influencing presidential races, at least with direct support to a candidate, but Ashlee Rich Stephenson, vice president and national political director for the chamber, said the top priority for the organization’s policy agenda was to sustain Republican control of the Senate.