House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (Republican-California) gives a press conference at Statuary Hall in the Washington State Capitol on February 2, 2023.
Jonathan Ernst | Reuters
The two highest-ranking Republican leaders in the House are looking to go to war with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce as a new Congress forms.
Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Republican House Majority Leader Steve Scalise have refused to meet with Congress after lobbying groups endorsed minority Democrats in the last two elections, and are clearly a powerful force. He is an enemy of parliamentary leaders.
“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s priorities are not aligned with those of House Republicans or the interests of its members, and as such, we should not expect a meeting with Speaker McCarthy,” said Chief Mark Bednar. spokesperson said. For McCarthy, he told CNBC in a statement.
Scalise also has no plans to meet with the chamber, according to spokeswoman Lauren Fine.
“Washington has radically departed from the pro-business philosophy of most local legislatures across America,” she said. “Unless the Chamber of Commerce returns to its traditional pro-business roots, it should not be expected to engage with Majority Leader Scalis’ office,” it said.
Denying access to the Chamber of Commerce could also cause other House Republicans to block the nation’s largest business organization.
The Chamber of Commerce remains active on Capitol Hill despite the ongoing battle with top Republicans.The group spent just under $21 million of his on lobbying in the fourth quarter of last year alone, According to the latest disclosure report. The form shows they lobbied members of the House and Senate, as well as Biden White House officials, on various bills, including new tax bills and U.S. aid to Ukraine in its dispute with Russia. increase.
McCarthy’s refusal to meet with the Chamber of Commerce is the latest strike in an ongoing feud between some House Republicans and a national business group.intercept report House Republicans are planning to investigate the House as Republicans challenge anyone who supports President Joe Biden’s push for environmental, social and governance (ESG) regulations.Elsewhere, the Daily Caller report The Chamber of Commerce plans to sue the Securities and Exchange Commission if it pursues climate change-related disclosure rules.
Republican congressmen are drafting questions to submit to the Chamber of Commerce in the coming weeks to discuss stances on ESG issues, questioning some of the group’s own actions, include reportedly allowed Former chamberlain Thomas Donahue wants to use the organization’s corporate jet for personal travel, according to lawmakers and advisers looking to investigate the organization. These people have refused to give their names in order to speak freely about private discussions.
Chamber spokesman Tim Doyle told CNBC in a statement that the group’s policies are more in line with House Republicans than Democrats.
“The Chamber’s priorities include cutting taxes, cutting spending, combating overregulation, and many other issues, and we partner with House Republicans on many of the issues important to American businesses of all sizes. “We are doing it,” said Doyle. “We disagree with those who believe the Chamber of Commerce should become a one-party organisation. We recognize that differences create tensions. We will continue to do what we have been doing for more than 20 years: advancing the freedom-market priority of America’s business community.”
Representatives for House Majority Whip Tom Emer (R-Minnesota), House GOP Speaker Elise Stefanik (RN.Y.) and Gary Palmer (R-Alabama) did not respond to requests for comment.
McCarthy’s anger against Chamber of Commerce began after group approved 23 House Democrats in the 2020 election cycle when Republicans failed to regain a majority.chamber of commerce reportedly Endorsed 23 House Republican candidates and 4 Democrats in the 2022 election.
McCarthy Said Breitbart News said last year before the recent November elections that “the Chamber of Commerce left the party a long time ago” and criticized organizations that support the Democratic Party. I think it has as much influence — nothing,” McCarthy said at the time.
Axios report McCarthy has privately discussed ideas with members of the Chamber’s board of directors and state leaders to replace current president and CEO Suzanne Clark. A new five-year term was recently approved, according to a memo sent to the board by Mark Ordan. The memo was sent to board members on Monday.
While McCarthy targets the Chamber, the business lobbying juggernaut continues business as usual.
Neil Bradley, McCarthy’s former deputy chief of staff and now senior vice president and chief policy officer at the Chamber of Commerce, recently said, “The team has a daily and weekly meeting with leaders, chairs, and the general public. It’s always been a fact and hasn’t changed in the past year.”
The organization raised just over $197 million that year, and $218 million in 2020, according to the Chamber’s latest public tax filings for 2021. Forms show that more than $105 million of his 2021 budget was spent on payroll and employee benefits.
Donoghue stepped down as CEO from Chamber of Commerce 2021, but still received a total of $9.2 million in compensation that year. Donahue’s compensation for 2021 included $8.95 million in bonuses and incentives, according to the form.
“Mr Donoghue’s compensation includes his bonus payment for 2020 activity and a pro rata portion of his bonus payment for 2021 activity, both of which were paid to him in 2021.” Filing said.
According to Forms, Clarke saw a total of $5.1 million in compensation in 2021. This includes $3.75 million in bonuses and incentives his package.
