Chamber heads to D.C. for advocacy fly-ins

This week, the Chamber participated in two fly-ins to Washington D.C. - one with the Illinois Manufacturers' Association (IMA) and another with the Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition. 

During the IMA fly-in, attendees met with more than a dozen policymakers and staff to discuss important issues impacting the Quad Cities region, with trade and tariffs dominating conversations. The Quad Cities Chamber encouraged the administration to pursue trade policy that protects the Quad Cities economy. As the tariff and trade negotiations continue late into the year, manufacturers’ and agricultural producers’ concerns have grown. Beyond tariffs, the United States, Mexico and Canada looked at reaffirming the strong trade relationship between the three countries.

Additionally, the Chamber met with Iowa and Illinois lawmakers to discuss the importance of continued federal research funding. Last spring, the Chamber became a member of the Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition, which includes more than 70 Chambers and business organizations. Locally, the Quad Cities' focus is on Department of Defense/War research funding, which is critical to the Quad Cities Manufacturing Institute and numerous local employers conducting innovative research. During the Coalition meeting, the Chamber was able to highlight specific investments being made by Impact Life in Davenport to develop advanced solutions for the warfighter.

During the trip, we met with:

• Mark Denzler, IMA President & CEO 
• Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL)
• Senator Dick Durbin (IL) 
• Senator Joni Ernst (IA) 
• Senator Chuck Grassley’s office (IA) 
• Rep. Darin LaHood (IL) 
• Rep. Brad Schneider’s office (IL) 
• Rep. Eric Sorensen (IL) 
• Rep. Mike Quigley (IL)
• Rep. Mike Bost (IL) 
• Rep. Bill Foster (IL) 
• Rep. Nikki Budzinski (IL) 
• Rep. Robin Kelly (IL) 
• Rep. Marianette Miller-Meeks (IA)
• Rep. Zach Nunn (IA) 
• Rep. Ashley Hinson (IA) 
• Rep. Debbie Dingell (MI)