- The Washington Times - Wednesday, November 6, 2024

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce congratulated President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday and pledged to work with his administration on deregulation and “pro-growth” policies.

Chamber President and CEO Suzanne P. Clark said the chamber wants to work with the incoming GOP administration to harness artificial intelligence to “drive American innovation, and expand an all-of-the-above energy production policy.”  

“With the election behind us, it is time to focus on the important work of advancing an economic growth agenda that creates opportunities for businesses, families, and individuals to achieve the American dream,” Ms. Clark said.

Mr. Trump stormed to victory late Tuesday by winning key swing states such as Georgia and puncturing the “blue wall” to the north that Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, had been relying on.

Ms. Clark also congratulated Vice President-elect J.D. Vance and the new members of Congress.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce bills itself as the world’s largest business organization, boasting membership from small businesses to global corporations and trade groups.

The chamber has traditionally supported pro-business Republicans but it developed a rift with Mr. Trump after the 2020 election and the attack on the U.S. Capitol by pro-Trump supporters on Jan. 6, 2021.

At the time, the chief executive of the chamber, Thomas J. Donohue, called Mr. Trump’s actions “absolutely unacceptable and completely inexcusable.”

“By his words and actions, he has undermined our democratic institutions and ideals,” he said.

The chamber also withheld financial support for lawmakers it viewed as complicit in undermining certification of President Biden’s 2020 win.

• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.

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