Chamber of Commerce Backpedaled on Not Giving to Lawmakers Who Threatened Democratic Institutions and Voted Against Election Certification

WASHINGTON, D.C.In an alarming departure from its stance less than two months ago, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has announced it will resume political giving to lawmakers who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 presidential election — sowing doubts about election legitimacy and leading to the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.

Accountable.US released the following statement in response to the news: 

“This is not a simple matter of policy disagreement; lawmakers who voted against certifying the results of the 2020 election undermined our system’s legitimacy and endangered national security,” said Kyle Herrig, president of government watchdog Accountable.US. “The Chamber’s about-face to support those who sought to overturn the results of a free and fair election normalizes anti-democratic actions. Despite the violent, seditious events at the Capitol on January 6th, the Chamber and its member organizations are seeking a return to the status quo to help them block President Biden’s economic recovery agenda.”  

TIMELINE: 

  • Chamber of Commerce, January 12

“Part of governing is a respect for democracy, democratic norms and democratic institutions, […] [The Chamber will] take into account the totality of what candidates and elected officials do including the actions of last week and, importantly, the actions in the days ahead in determining whether or not we support them.” 

  • Chamber of Commerce, March 5:

“The erosion and breakdown in democratic norms that has occurred over many years is a point of concern for the Chamber. Our nation and our free enterprise system depend on the rule of law and a well-functioning democracy. […] We do not believe it is appropriate to judge members of Congress solely based on their votes on the electoral certification.”  

Follow along with Accountable.US’s ‘Subsidizing Sedition’ project, which works to expose all those involved with the January 6th insurrection including mainstream corporations, GOP and conservative politicians, operatives, right-wing and white nationalist groups — and the money behind them. 

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