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The Conversation with Dasha Burns

How big business is making its relationship with Republicans great again

The Conversation with Dasha Burns

POLITICO

Government, Politics, News

4.41.5K Ratings

🗓️ 13 December 2024

⏱️ 39 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Donald Trump’s Washington is going to be packed with heavyweights from big business such as Elon Musk, Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick. But the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents traditional business interests in D.C., has recently found itself estranged from its longtime allies in the Republican Party. On this episode of Playbook Deep Dive, the Chamber’s top lobbyist, former Rep. Rodney Davis, joins Playbook co-author Rachael Bade to discuss how the Chamber is winning back its swagger with the GOP and how they plan to interface with President-elect Trump. Rachael Bade is a Playbook co-author for POLITICO. Rodney Davis is the Head of Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Kara Tabor is a producer for POLITICO audio.  Alex Keeney is a senior producer for POLITICO audio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

No one likes nasty surprises. Like when your favourite artist brings out a concept album, but on listening should probably have been kept as just an idea. That's why with Quick Check, you can check if you're eligible for a Capital One credit card without affecting your credit score, and you'll always know the API you'll get before applying. Credit with no nasty surprises. That's one good

0:23.5

thing. Search Capital One. 34.9% APR representative variable, T's and Cs apply. The chamber left the

0:31.5

party a long time ago. In the last election, the chamber supported Democrats.

0:38.8

Donald Trump's Washington is going to be packed with heavyweights from the business community.

0:43.0

You've got Elon Musk and Scott Bessent.

0:45.3

There's Howard Lutnik and Doug Bergam.

0:47.4

They all have the inside track.

0:49.9

Then there's the traditional powerful industries represented by another heavyweight,

0:53.8

the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Free Enterprise's longtime voice in the Then, there's the traditional powerful industries represented by another heavyweight,

0:59.1

the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Free Enterprise's longtime voice in the nation's capital that for much of its 100-plus year history has been a reliable ally of the Republican Party.

1:04.9

But it's no secret that in recent years, the Chamber's partnership with the GOP has come to grief.

1:10.0

I just assume they have as much influence as the future as they do now, not.

1:15.6

Part of that is political. The Chamber pissed off Kevin McCarthy royally in 2020 when they endorsed 23 Democrats.

1:22.6

Part of it is policy. Republicans have been happy to label some of the chamber's recent priorities as woke.

1:29.5

But in its totality, the chamber is facing a massive challenge. In January, Trump, a populist president vowing new tariffs and pro-union policies, will be sworn into office writing a mandate for change.

1:42.2

Congress, meanwhile, is expected to take up a series of massive

1:45.5

bills that will dispose of some of the chamber's top issues, taxes, energy permitting, and

1:50.8

immigration. Will the chamber even get a seat at the table? Not unless someone can patch up their

1:56.5

recent feud with Republicans. So how do you do that? It all begins with a good lobbyist, and that's

2:03.8

where Congressman Rodney Davis comes in. Well, and I want to make sure every member knows

2:08.0

exactly who they should reach out to if they need information, if they have any issues,

2:13.4

or anything at all, or if they just want me to, you know, bring over a 30-pack of bush light

...

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