Last Friday, Ron Eidshaug VP of Congressional and Public Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, updated our Business Advocacy Committee and other members. Ron oversees a team of 15 full-time Capitol Hill lobbyists. He joined the Chamber team in 1999 and is currently the Chief Lobbyist on environmental, energy and regulatory reform issues.

Eidshaug provided the Charleston Metro Chamber an insider’s perspective into Congress and the status of the infrastructure bill.

Currently, Congress is at a tipping point. The Senate is evenly divided with Vice President Kamala Harris’ vote and the Democrats hold a small majority in the House. Eidshaug predicts that the infrastructure bill will set the tone of Congress. If a bipartisan infrastructure bill passes, Congress is more likely to continue to work together to pass bipartisan legislation. If a bipartisan infrastructure bill is not passed, the partisan pressure will increase and Democrats will attempt to force through more of their partisan agenda. Majorities do not last long in today’s politics. Many on the far left want to get through as many of their priorities as possible while they still hold the majority. 

With that being said, there is a pathway for a bipartisan infrastructure bill, and the business community will be an essential partner in pushing the bill across the finish line. The problem solvers caucus, made up of 22 Senators, released a bipartisan infrastructure framework. Actual bill text is not expected for at least two to three weeks. 

Eidshaug encouraged the Charleston Metro Chamber to continue to support bipartisan solutions that do not raise taxes.