BETTENDORF, IOWA (November 20, 2024) — The 2025 Federal Legislative Agenda highlights the Quad Cities Chamber’s national policy priorities, and serves as the benchmark against which the Chamber will evaluate federal proposals in the year ahead.
Each priority was shaped through one-on-one conversations with business and community leaders, group discussions and committee meetings, and a survey of Chamber members.
“The Chamber is eager to bring together business leaders and federal officials from both parties to promote pro-growth policy over the coming year," said Ryan Sempf, Executive Director of Government Affairs at the Chamber. "There are major items in front of Congress this year including tax reform. The business community’s voice will be important as the country takes on these challenges.”
Featured federal priorities include:
- Support the extension and inclusion of key tax provisions that support economic growth and have specific regional impact in the Quad Cities;
- Support the creation of federal funding for site-readiness; and
- Maintain and grow investment and resources on the Rock Island Arsenal.
The full agenda focuses on workforce, transportation and infrastructure, regulations and trade including:
Workforce
- Support passage of short-term Pell legislation to support skilled trade certifications and upskilling of existing workforce;
- Support reauthorization of WIOA with full funding and modernization that maintain and enhance local control;
- Support bi-partisan changes to U.S. immigration system that assist employers with difficult-to-fill roles;
- Aggressively pursue federal research funding to support local institutions and research capabilities in the Quad Cities region; and
- Grow investment in child-care availability and affordability.
Transportation and Infrastructure
- Support municipal and regional “community project funding” and grant applications;
- Support implementation of the Mississippi River Ports of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, and secure new funding for large-scale regional projects; and
- Assist with and promote funding opportunities through BIL and IRA.
Regulation
- Encourage a light-touch regulatory approach that emphasizes stability, predictability, and fairness.
Trade
- Support targeted improvements in USMCA during six-year review process;
- Support passage of new MTB, and reauthorization of other trade assistance programs;
- Support efforts to onshore and friend-shore American manufacturing in industries key to the American manufacturing supply-chain.
About the Quad Cities Chamber:
The Quad Cities Chamber facilitates business growth to help create a prosperous regional economy where all can thrive. Its work is focused in three strategic areas: Business and economic growth; workforce and talent development; and quality of place. For more information visit quadcitieschamber.com.
