118th Congress Federal Priorities

It is essential to advocacy work on the state level to engage with federal officials on various issue areas to support Maryland and its ability to be better for business and its residents.

Letters of Support on Behalf of our Membership

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce has drafted and sent multiple communications in support of our advocacy efforts for the benefit of our members and businesses in the state of Maryland.  For copies of those letters to use as reference or samples in your own outreach see below:

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coalition Comments – Federal Trade Commission Non-Compete Clause Rule (April 17, 2023)  
• US Chamber of Commerce Comments – Federal Trade Commission Non-Compete Clause Rule (April 17, 2023)  
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Liberty Campaign Coalition Letter to Congress (May 1, 2023)
• Community and Industry Leaders Launch Coalition to Protect America’s Regional Airports (May 31, 2023)
• Chesapeake National Recreation Area Letter of Support (June 29, 2023)
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coalition Letter on Labor Negotiations Between UPS and the International Brotherhood of Teamsters (July 20, 2023)
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce Coalition Letter to Congress on Arbitration Legislation (July 27, 2023)

Past Federal Priorities Have Included: 

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) Reform

The Maryland Chamber supports long-term reauthorization of the NFIP program with meaningful reform so that homeowners can afford this necessary insurance and the government does not sink money into a non-efficient insurance program. This reform would include setting rates on actuarial adjusted risk assessments, using up-to-date floodplain maps, and improving support to communities planning for disaster.

State and Local Tax (SALT) Relief

As part of the federal Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TJCA), SALT deductions were capped at $10,000. This has been especially harmful to states with high state and local taxes such as Maryland. Relief in this form would come in the increasing of this cap.

Defense Reauthorization, Reform and Appropriations

We continue to support funding for Maryland’s many bases and installations including Fort Meade, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Fort Detrick, Naval Air Station Patuxent River and more. In addition to supporting the reauthorization of the Armed Services through the National Defense Reauthorization Act, we support reforms to the defense procurement process specifically in recruiting and retaining more non-college graduates with workforce training.

Infrastructure and Environmental Appropriations

We support continued funding for Maryland’s roads, bridges, and waterways.  We believe cleaning the Chesapeake Bay and investing in programs such as nutrient credit trading and other economically-based solutions to address environmental protection, are solutions our environment needs. Additionally, securing Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) Transportation grants  and other grants for roads and bridges is a priority of ours.

Apprenticeship and Workforce Development Proliferation

We support appropriations that increase apprenticeship programs and provide training to in-demand careers. This includes continue reauthorization of the Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) program and others.

Chesapeake National Recreation Area

We support the proposal to establish a Chesapeake National Recreation Area, which would be an official unit of the National Park System dedicated to the Chesapeake Bay. We recognize both the economic and environmental importance of the Chesapeake Bay for Maryland communities and businesses, and believe this federal designation would greatly benefit the Chesapeake Bay, its people, and the Maryland economy.