Chamber advocacy team heads to DC, tackles “What’s Next?” for new year & administration

The most involved of our advocacy members have officially touched back down in the PNW this week after a jam-packed fly in to the nation’s capital, and we can’t wait to share the photos and how it went. 

With a new — and very different — administration and cabinet moving into the White House in 2025, we made sure to meet with as many different legislators and government organizations as possible to see what they are anticipating for the next year or so. 

The trip kicked off at the Microsoft Policy and Innovation Center (thanks, Microsoft!) where we discussed emerging cyber threats, the regulation of AI, and the tech giant’s priorities for the year, before bopping off to Capitol Hill to meet with Sen. Murray, Rep. DelBene, and Rep. Smith. 

All three of our tenured legislators dove into top issues like affordable housing, our energy needs, and transportation infrastructure, and then we capped off the day with a joint reception with our friends at the Association of Washington Business. (Shoutout to Meta for sponsoring this get-together.) 

The next morning meant a breakfast briefing at the US Chamber of Commerce, courtesy of the City of Bellevue, and then meetings with Lila Nieves-Lee (staff director for the Senate’s Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee) and folks from Sen. Tim Scott’s team, as well as a visit to Sen. Cantwell’s office. 

We also checked out the Canadian Embassy, where, unsurprisingly, tariffs and border protection were top of mind for meeting participants. 

We finished the day’s meetings with a briefing at the Nuclear Energy Institute — getting into the weeds on the future of nuclear as a sustainable and reliable energy source — and a stellar private dinner at The Henri to celebrate the trip’s successful end.

A huge thank you goes out to all who joined us, sponsored us, and met with us in DC. Our advocacy efforts are only stronger because of you!