Oklahoma Chambers of Commerce fly to DC to meet with members of Congress

An important and time-consuming aspect of any member of Congress’s job is meeting with constituents and advocacy groups, when they are at home in their districts, but especially when they are on Capitol Hill. And a lot of that is happening right now.

Spring can be a tough weather season in Oklahoma, but in Washington it’s Fly-In season. Since this is traditionally the time of year when budget decisions for the upcoming fiscal year are made, groups such as local chambers of commerce fly in to get audiences with those making these decisions.

People like Congressman Tom Cole. As the new chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Rep. is currently in particularly high demand. Cole (R-OK4). He spoke to the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday and his hometown Norman Chamber on Tuesday.

“For us, it gives us an opportunity to share with him some of our needs that we have in our community,” said Scott Martin, president and CEO of the Normal Chamber of Commerce, “for example, for some infrastructure, road projects (and) Max Westheimer Airport.”

Martin says they’ll see Cole back in Oklahoma, but not the other members of the delegation, and it’s important, he says, to check in with all of them. He says he knows they have busy schedules, but the in-person meetings are important.

“I think it means a lot to them,” Martin said. “I know it means a lot to us that they spend time with our members.”

And that’s exactly why Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, says a big part of their message when they’re in DC is simply a message of appreciation.

“They work really hard, they’re underpaid, they have a lot of big challenges ahead of them,” Neal said in an interview Wednesday, “and so we’re really just here today to say thank you.”

Of course, they’re also in Washington to advocate on behalf of their stakeholders for issues like expanding oil and gas production, creating more affordable housing, increasing the number of H-1B visas for high-tech workers and, at a time when at the top their list, making reforms possible.

“When we try to do major energy projects or major public infrastructure construction projects,” Neal explains, “the federal government tends to delay these projects and escalate the costs of these projects.” considerable.”

Chamber leaders say they are acutely aware that the issues they raise may not be addressed this year, may not be addressed for several years, if ever. But they say this is about planting the seed and trusting that it will one day bear fruit.