U.S. Chamber of Commerce Updates 

The US Chamber of Commerce has shared some important updates, including two sign-on letter requests. The first is a Permitting Reform Coalition Letter, calling on Congress to improve America’s permitting processes to enable infrastructure projects to improve the economy and the lives of Americans. The second is a Sign-On Comment Letter Opposing the Proposed FTC Non-Competes Rule, which would ban noncompete agreements for all employees and independent contractors, except in cases between a buyer and seller of a business. The US Chamber is encouraging businesses to sign on to the letter to register their opposition before the April 12 deadline. 

In addition, the US Chamber reminds communities to play an active role in the annual appropriations process and encourage their members of Congress to make Community Project Funding requests on behalf of their communities, which you will see reflected in the Chamber’s letters of support for multiple requests from local organizations to Senator Feinstein, Senator Padilla, and Congressman Carbajal. 

Projects cannot be requested by for-profit entities, and total spending on all projects is capped at .5% of total discretionary spending. Members must provide evidence of each project’s merit and community support, with local endorsements being critical.