US Chamber of Commerce called Trump’s actions on Capitol Hill inexcusable

• The US Chamber of Commerce threatened Tuesday to cut campaign donations, following President Donald Trump’s “inexcusable” actions.
• “By his words and actions he has undermined our democratic institutions and our ideals,” Thomas Donohue, director general of the chamber, said in a statement released Tuesday.
• The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is among the largest lobbying organizations for small businesses, with a total of about $ 59.3 million spent on lobbying in the first three quarters of 2020, according to data compiled by Open Secrets.
• Visit the Business Insider homepage for more stories.

The US Chamber of Commerce on Tuesday threatened to cut campaign donations to lawmakers, following what it called “inexcusable” actions before, during and after the capital riots by President Donald Trump.

“The president’s conduct last week was absolutely unacceptable and utterly inexcusable. By his words and actions he undermined our democratic institutions and our ideals,” Thomas Donohue, chief executive of the chamber, said in a statement on Tuesday.

In prepared remarks and at a press conference, Donohue, head of one of the country’s most influential lobbying organizations, said his group would reassess support for some politicians after the Capitol riots last week.

According to Reuters, lobbyist Neil Bradley, director of chamber policy, said some members of Congress had “lost” House support by backing the crowd in Washington. He did not identify specific politicians.

After participants in a pro-Trump rally stormed the Capitol last Wednesday, support waned for some lawmakers who backed Trump’s efforts to overthrow the presidential election. Senators Josh Hawley and Roger Marshall, for example, were asked Tuesday to repay Hallmark donations. Other organizations, including the American Bankers Association, have said they will rethink their support for some Republicans.

“It is up to the Vice President, Cabinet and Congress to decide whether or not to invoke the 25th Amendment or to pursue impeachment or other measures – and we trust them to use these tools wisely,” if necessary, to ensure the well-being of our nation. and security, ”Donohue said.

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The chamber is among the largest lobbying organizations for small businesses in the country, with a total of around $ 59.3 million spent in the first three quarters of 2020, according to data compiled by Open Secrets. In 2019, it exceeded $ 77.2 million. In 2018, $ 94.8 million.

“We call on all elected officials across the country and at all levels of government to promote calm in their communities and encourage a peaceful transition of power,” Donohue said on Tuesday.

The chamber has questioned Trump’s policies on several occasions during his tenure. Donohue wrote an op-ed in The New York Times in July, calling on the president to rethink his immigration policy.

“If you want businesses to grow and the economy to rebound, you allow skilled workers to legally come here to work and contribute to the well-being of our nation; you don’t exclude them, ”he wrote.

In November, Donohue had urged Trump to begin the presidential transfer of power, “for the safety of the Americans.”

Donohue said on Tuesday his organization would work in cooperation with President-elect Joe Biden’s new administration.

“Building consensus on immigration reform, workforce development and infrastructure investments this year will help accelerate the widespread recovery and bring economic relief to businesses and workers whose resilience has been put to the test, “he said.