Print
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 alarming some 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.
A multi-year plan by the Chamber of Commerce to broaden its political standing has angered some long-time members and allies, part of a broader shift for the business lobby.
A Chamber spokesman would not comment on why the leaders mentioned in this story chose to leave. While the Chamber doesn t comment on specific personnel, we are proud of our talented staff, our record low turnover, and recent new hires, the spokesman said. Our employees are crucial to serving our members and our mission to create jobs and stimulate economic growth.
He noted that the group recently hired former House of Representatives parliamentarian Tom Wickham as senior vice president for state and local policy; Kasper Zeuthen, who led communications strategy on trade and other policy matters at the European Union delegation to the United States, as a vice president; and Denise Osei, from marketing outfit Destination DC, as the group s social media strategist.