The Chamber of Commerce Requests Another Partnership with the GOP
Former GOP Representative Rodney Davis has been appointed as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's new chief lobbyist. The question now is whether he can mend the cold relationship between his former Republican colleagues and the Chamber in time for potential reconciliation during the Trump presidency.
TroibNews 
Donald Trump’s Washington is set to see a robust presence of influential figures from major industries, including names like Elon Musk, Scott Bessent, and Howard Lutnick, all of whom hold significant sway.
Additionally, one of the mainstays of traditional powerful industries, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is also a key player. For much of its over 100-year history, it has been a steadfast ally of the Republican Party.
However, it is widely acknowledged that the relationship between the Chamber and the GOP has soured in recent years.
This deterioration can be attributed both to political and policy differences.
In summary, the Chamber is now confronted with a substantial challenge: come January, Trump—a populist president promising new tariffs and pro-union policies—will assume office, backed by a mandate for change. At the same time, Congress is anticipated to address a series of significant bills that threaten to overturn some of the Chamber’s principal concerns, including taxes, energy permitting, and immigration.
The critical question is whether the Chamber will have a place at the negotiating table. This hinges on their ability to reconcile with Republicans. So, what can be done to mend this rift?
The answer lies in engaging an effective lobbyist. This individual needs to be capable of opening doors, winning over influential figures, and fostering connections, perhaps even at the Capital Grille. Enter former Congressman Rodney Davis.
Davis, who represented Illinois in the House from 2013 to 2023, has been entrusted with an important task: to restore the Chamber’s former prominence. His goal is to persuade his former Republican colleagues to set aside—or at least move past—their recent grievances with the Chamber and to refocus on their common objectives, of which there are many.
In a recent interview for the Playbook Deep Dive podcast, Rachael Bade, co-author of the Playbook, spoke with Davis to explore his strategy for achieving this goal. While he questioned the premise of the conversation, Davis nonetheless provided insightful details on how the business sector aims to navigate its priorities under Trump’s new administration, including specific requests for reconciliation legislation and insights on which relationships will be most crucial for securing victories in the upcoming Congress and administration.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
Additionally, one of the mainstays of traditional powerful industries, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is also a key player. For much of its over 100-year history, it has been a steadfast ally of the Republican Party.
However, it is widely acknowledged that the relationship between the Chamber and the GOP has soured in recent years.
This deterioration can be attributed both to political and policy differences.
In summary, the Chamber is now confronted with a substantial challenge: come January, Trump—a populist president promising new tariffs and pro-union policies—will assume office, backed by a mandate for change. At the same time, Congress is anticipated to address a series of significant bills that threaten to overturn some of the Chamber’s principal concerns, including taxes, energy permitting, and immigration.
The critical question is whether the Chamber will have a place at the negotiating table. This hinges on their ability to reconcile with Republicans. So, what can be done to mend this rift?
The answer lies in engaging an effective lobbyist. This individual needs to be capable of opening doors, winning over influential figures, and fostering connections, perhaps even at the Capital Grille. Enter former Congressman Rodney Davis.
Davis, who represented Illinois in the House from 2013 to 2023, has been entrusted with an important task: to restore the Chamber’s former prominence. His goal is to persuade his former Republican colleagues to set aside—or at least move past—their recent grievances with the Chamber and to refocus on their common objectives, of which there are many.
In a recent interview for the Playbook Deep Dive podcast, Rachael Bade, co-author of the Playbook, spoke with Davis to explore his strategy for achieving this goal. While he questioned the premise of the conversation, Davis nonetheless provided insightful details on how the business sector aims to navigate its priorities under Trump’s new administration, including specific requests for reconciliation legislation and insights on which relationships will be most crucial for securing victories in the upcoming Congress and administration.
Aarav Patel contributed to this report for TROIB News
