Recently, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest lobbying group, said that as a reward for opposing some of the Biden administration’s legislative initiatives and for their efforts to work with Republicans, Democratic U.S. Senators Joe Manchin of West Virginia and Arizona Democratic U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema) received large contributions.
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce revealed Thursday (15) that its political action committee gave about $17,000 worth of contributions to the two senators and nine House members in the first quarter of the year.
“The U.S. Chamber backs elected officials based on their positions on issues important to the business community and their commitment to governing the country.” “We are pleased to support both Republican and Democratic members this quarter who have shown a willingness to work together and find solutions to the problems facing our country,” a Chamber spokesman said in a statement to Reuters.
Manchin has become a key obstacle for Senate Democrats trying to pass priorities without the support of any Republican lawmakers, including Biden’s $2.3 trillion infrastructure investment plan.
Both Manchin and Sinema oppose ending the Senate’s “filibuster,” a rule that requires the Senate to get 60 votes to advance most legislation. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has called for the retention of the filibuster, which requires Democrats to seek Republican support on major non-budget initiatives.
Manchin and Sinema also opposed a part of Biden’s $1.9 trillion Communist viral relief package that would raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour. This provision was likewise opposed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The chamber said it greatly hurts businesses struggling with the pandemic.
The U.S. Chamber opposes Biden’s plan to raise corporate taxes to pay for investment costs. Manchin rejected Biden’s proposal to raise the corporate income tax rate to 28 percent, saying 25 percent was more appropriate.
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, a nonpartisan nonprofit organization, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has overwhelmingly supported Republicans for decades. In the 2020 election, more than 75 percent of its donations went to Republicans; in 2016, that percentage was more than 95 percent.
The U.S. Chamber is funded primarily by its corporate members, and its political action committee contributions come from Chamber executives, employees, board members and other individuals associated with the group.
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