‘We stand ready to help the new administration, next Congress unite our country around a mission we believe all Americans can support—to grow our economy, create jobs, and lift incomes for all citizens,’ Says Donohue

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue issued the following statement on the results of the 2016 elections:

“The Chamber congratulates President-elect Donald Trump and all the candidates who won their elections to the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives.

“Americans have just lived through a bitter, personality-driven campaign that exposed some deep divisions in our country. Now, it’s time to turn the page and refocus the country’s attention on the many substantive domestic and international challenges facing us. The Chamber and its members stand ready help the new administration and the next Congress unite our country around a mission we believe all Americans can support—to grow our economy, create jobs, and lift incomes for all citizens.

“The number one goal of the Chamber’s political program this cycle was to save the pro-business majority in the Senate. Yesterday voters agreed, and chose pro-business majorities in the Senate and the House to represent them in Washington. 

“To help achieve this result against very long odds, the Chamber actively engaged in the most challenging races through advertising, close partnerships with state and local chambers who helped drive home our jobs and growth message in their communities, and a strong presence in digital and social media. We also launched an unprecedented get-out-the-vote drive, which engaged major employers and many others to help bring millions of voters to the polls.

“All told, of the 11 Senate contests in which the Chamber devoted significant voter education resources, our preferred candidates were victorious in 8, with New Hampshire still to be called. Of the races called, 95 percent of all the candidates in the House and Senate endorsed by the Chamber won their elections.”

Facts about the Chamber’s voter education efforts:

• 95 percent of Chamber-endorsed candidates in House and Senate won (of races called).
• Of the 10 Senate contests that have been called where the Chamber invested significant resources, 8 candidates were successful, an 80 percent success rate.
• The Chamber ran a total of 46 television ads (38 in the Senate, 8 in the House) in 15 states.
• The Chamber participated in 8 House primaries this cycle and all 8 candidates prevailed in their primaries and the general election.
• The Chamber’s GOTV program, Vote For Jobs, was the largest and most sophisticated get-out-the-vote effort in the Chamber’s history. The site featured online resources with state specific information, including tools to register, check your registration status, find polling places, access in person early voting locations and hours, and request absentee ballots. The effort was promoted through an aggressive advertising campaign and by partnerships with hundreds of employers, associations and chambers of commerce to remind the business community of the importance of voting.
• The U.S. Chamber held 60 endorsement events across the country with a presence from the federation and the local business community at each event.  

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.