Smith Touts Texas Influence in New Congress

Six of 18 House committees in the 114th Congress now have chairmen from Texas.  Rep. Lamar Smith, R-San Antonio, observed that no state may ever have had that kind of leadership in the House, and that it bodes well for Texas.

Smith is chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee, which oversees budgets of $40 billion, 60 percent of which is spent on research and development.

The committee has oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency.  Smith said he was committed to ensure that the EPA can scientifically justify new regulations that will cost $100 billion, and he will subpoena the relevant data from the EPA.  The public deserves to see that data, Smith said.

Smith still sits on the Judiciary Committee.  On the thorny issue of immigration, Smith has authored a bill to expand and make mandatory use of the E-Verify system, which verifies the eligibility of workers.  "Scarce jobs ought to go to Americans first," Smith said.

Smith identified two areas where Republicans and Democrats have a good opportunity to work together this session.  Republicans are willing to work with President Obama on tax reform, though there is strong disagreement over the president's proposal to increase the capital gains tax.  And with some information about trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Republicans would be willing to grant President Obama fast-track authority.

Watch his presentation below.

Expanding International Trade Critical for U.S. Economy

The Obama administration sees expanded exports as key to growing the U.S. economy. Beneficiaries of international trade can be found across the country.  San Antonio is no exception.  Elizabeth Kelly from the Office of the U.S. Trade Administration, cited Concord Supply Company as an example of a small business that has looked abroad to grow its business. 
To help other business follow Concord Supply's example, the Obama administration is seeking reauthorization of the president's trade promotion authority to conclude trade deals that open up markets for large and small U.S. businesses, deals such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership.

Patrick Kirwan from the International Trade Administration at the Department of Commerce discussed the administration's reaction to the recession of 2008.  Government spending, he said, was recognized as only a temporary fix. The goal of doubling U.S. exports, however, would have long-term benefits on the U.S. economy.

To that, end, the Obama administration rolled out the National Export Initiative in 2010.  Key elements of the initiative include:

• Providing U.S. businesses with more specific information about potential customers overseas
• The Look South Initiative, focusing on free trade partners in Latin America
• Focusing on the logistics of exporting.  Streamline, make it easier
• Getting more private banks involved in lending to exporters
• Reaching into more communities such as San Antonio to think about international markets
• Making sure U.S. businesses are prepared to take advantage of growing global markets through reauthorization of trade promotion authority

According to the International Trade Administration, U.S. exports reached an all-time high of $2.3 trillion in 2013, supporting 11.3 million jobs.

Erin Gulick, senior vice president for congressional and intergovernmental affairs at the Export-Import Bank, emphasized the importance of reauthorizing the bank. Failure to do so will put U.S. businesses at a significant disadvantage.  China, in particular, is much more aggressive in supporting the export of Chinese goods and services than the United States. Gulick expressed confidence that Congress would indeed reauthorize the Export-Import Bank.

Elizabeth Kelly, Erin Gulick and Patrick Kirwan speak about international trade.

San Antonio is well represented on the SA to DC trip

Business executives are not the only leaders in Washington this week to represent San Antonio and the federal legislative priorities of our city and region. The group also includes seven members of the City Council, the leadership from our Convention and Visitors Bureau, City Manager Sheryl Sculley, and leadership from SAWS, CPS and VIA.

City council members include Mike Gallagher, Joe Krier, Rebecca Viagran, Alan Warrick, Ron Nirenberg, Rey Saldana and Roberto Trevino. Having a majority of our city leadership on the SA to DC team sends a strong message to our elected leaders and administration in Washington that we are united in our message.

The entire group totals 134 and is one of the largest in SA to DC's 37-year history.

-Becky Bridges Dinnin

City Council members Rey Saldana and Alan Warrick are joined by Jeff Coyle (City of San Antonio) and Jonathan Gurwitz, (KGBTexas) at the SA to DC opening reception.

SA to DC Delegation Departs Next Week

During an unpredictable political climate and challenging economic times, it is imperative that communities make their voices heard in Washington, D.C. Your Chamber recognizes that community participation in SA to DC is critical to ensuring that national leaders understand San Antonio’s priorities and issues. In order to achieve this, your Chamber and over 130 business leaders from San Antonio will travel to our nation’s capital next week to advocate for the regional needs of our community.

For 37 years, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce has led a delegation of business leaders from San Antonio to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators, administration officials and agencies to discuss key actions that will benefit our local community.

This federal legislative trip looks to provide representatives with fiery resolutions to key economic issues to the San Antonio business community that Chamber Chairman Henry Cisneros, Chairman & CEO of CityView, has stated as imperative to growing our local economy. Last week, your Chamber’s board of directors unanimously approved the 2015 federal agenda which includes our top priorities in economic development, education, infrastructure, cybersecurity, health care, military affairs and more. After months of listening to the needs of our membership and the business community, your Chamber’s board feels that the federal legislative priorities wholly address the concerns of San Antonio.

The meetings and encounters our delegation will be participating in will include meetings with Senators Ted Cruz and John Cornyn; an address by HUD Secretary Julián Castro; and a pentagon briefing with General James K. McLaughlin, Deputy Commander of the U.S. Cyber Command (USCC); to name a few. The delegation will also be meeting with many more leaders in Washington, including our regional Congressional representatives who will be reviewing the white papers created by our issue team committees.

The Chamber recognizes this year’s sponsors: BCFS, USAA, Google, Security Service Federal Credit Union, Alamo Chapter of Credit Unions, The Boeing Company, Brooks City-Base, Standard Aero, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas and VIA Metropolitan Transit.

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact Danny Chavez. For flight information or trip logistics please contact Allegra Zwaan. You can also visit the SA to DC blog for regular updates and to watch presentations at http://satodc.blogspot.com/.

San Antonio Businesses Heading to Washington

Over 115 business leaders from San Antonio will travel to our nation’s capital February 2-5, with a comprehensive federal legislative agenda representing the regional needs of our community. For more than three decades, the San Antonio Chamber of Commerce has led an SA to DC delegation of business leaders to Washington, D.C. to meet with legislators, administration officials and agencies to discuss key actions that will benefit our local community.

SA to DC began 37 years ago, with members of the San Antonio Chamber’s Military Affairs Committee traveling to the Pentagon to offer support for the various Department of Defense (DOD) missions located in our community. The focus of the trip during the first 20 years was to say thank you to Pentagon officials and members of congress for their support of the military presence in San Antonio.

Although the focus of SA to DC has expanded, San Antonio is still home to several commands and missions integral to our national defense, and our delegation will meet with senior DOD officials about the new budget agreement, how current service reorganization will affect San Antonio, and what our community can do to continue to support growth in areas such as military medical training and cybersecurity.

The trip is now a joint venture with The San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Free Trade Alliance and has a much larger focus including education, aerospace, health care, technology, manufacturing, water, transportation, international trade, immigration, hospitality/tourism and small business. While the trip has expanded to include a dozen other key industries and issue topics, the focus on our military missions remains a key objective during the trip.

Prior to the trip, the San Antonio Chamber’s Board of Directors will review and approve the federal legislative agenda that will be jointly taken to Washington by representatives from area businesses, the City and the County, our public utilities and many other organizations supporting the growth and development of industries across our region.

In addition to the advocacy work accomplished during the trip, there may be no better way to get to know more than 100 of San Antonio’s top executives than during the annual 4-day fly-in to D.C. Those who attend will benefit from invaluable time with the top business leaders in San Antonio through intense networking.

In addition to meetings, meals and event participation, SA to DC registration includes airfare to/from Washington, D.C. and hotel accommodations.The Chamber would like to recognize BCFS for again sponsoring the Chairman’s Dinner on Tuesday evening at the Willard.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available and those interested should contact Will Garrett (210) 229-2163. For trip information or registration, please contact Allegra Zwaan at (210) 229- 2161.