We are living in a remarkable moment of uncertainty stemming from the ongoing pandemic, the looming elections, and the economic recovery that for some is robust and others nonexistent.
The best way to manage through so much uncertainty is to focus on what you know and control what you can. For all of us here at the U.S. Chamber, we are guided by our mission and focused on our work.
We know who we stand for—the American businesses that drive our economy.
Every day, our members are serving people, solving problems, and saving lives. They are creating jobs—and with them, opportunity, security, and prosperity—in communities across the country. This is hard work, with many obstacles, but America’s job creators get up and do it every day because they believe in the power of business to be a force for good in our society. At the Chamber, we get up every day to help them do it.
We know what we fight for—their ability to hire, invest, grow, and succeed.
We fight for the policies we need to help businesses lead our economy out of the worst downturn since the Great Depression and fight against the crippling partisanship that stymies progress.
Whatever the outcome of the 2020 election, our elected leaders will face the same slate of challenges: bringing the pandemic under control, restoring our nation’s health, and revitalizing our economy. We are fiercely optimistic that our nation will get through this challenging time and emerge stronger, and business will help lead the way. But our partners in government will play a vital role, helping set the conditions for recovery.
The decisions our leaders make can positively—or negatively—impact not only the strength and speed of the recovery, but also whether entire industries, businesses, and segments of our workforce get left behind. This will be especially crucial for the millions of small businesses that continue to struggle.
Business and government must work together to restore growth and help people rebuild their lives in the months and years to come.
We stand ready to work with the next Congress and the White House to:
- Immediately resume work on additional pandemic relief, including more resources for small businesses and disproportionately impacted industries and workers
- Provide clarity and certainty for business growth through legal reform, corporate governance, a healthy regulatory environment, and smart rules for the modern economy.
- Strengthen the workforce to lead the recovery and to ensure displaced employees can rebuild their lives by focusing on priorities such as skills training and retraining, immigration reform, and K -12 and higher education.
- Build the modern infrastructure to support a growing economy and expand access to education and economic opportunities only possible through broadband.
- Grow our global engagement through robust trade, sustainable supply chains, and a level playing field for American businesses.
- Promote business-led innovation to long-term challenges like climate change.
Underpinning all of these priorities, we will champion the free enterprise system—the most effective and proven way to create widespread opportunity and solve global problems.
In a year of so much uncertainty, let there be no question where the U.S. Chamber stands: We stand with business and we strive for a bright new era of growth and opportunity for our great country.
About the authors
Suzanne P. Clark
As President and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Suzanne Clark heads strategy, government relations and market innovation to support member companies and businesses.
