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The Texas Association of Business (TAB) returned to Washington, D.C. this week with a clear purpose: ensuring federal policymakers understand what Texas employers need to remain competitive and economically strong.

As the Texas State Chamber of Commerce and the premier business organization in the state, TAB represents employers who are actively building, hiring, exporting, and investing. Our role is to bring decision makers to the table and provide direct engagement between policymakers and the companies driving the Texas economy.

TAB appreciated candid conversations with Members of Congress, White House and Cabinet officials, and D.C.-based policy organizations who engaged strategically with Texas employers. These were not ceremonial briefings – the results were real policy dialogues focused on execution and solutions.

This fly-in was led by TAB’s executive & policy team:

  • Megan Mauro, Interim President & CEO
  • Allison Allen, Chief Operating Officer 
  • Chelsie Kramer, TAB Foundation Executive Director 
  • Faith Villarreal, Director of Government Affairs 

Thank you to our TAB Officers who joined, Jo Betsy Norton, Chair of the Board, Texas Mutual; David Emerick, Vice Chair, JPMorgan Chase; Clay Pope, Treasurer, Pope Strategies Group; and Caroline Joiner, Secretary, Amazon.

The delegation began at the White House with the National Economic Council (NEC), the National Energy Dominance Council, and the Office of the Vice President, underscoring the need for policies that accelerate private-sector growth, reduce regulatory burdens, and strengthen American competitiveness.

On Capitol Hill, TAB met with:

  • Congresswoman Beth Van Duyne (TX-24)
  • Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17)
  • Congressman Keith Self (TX-03)
  • Congressman Gary Palmer (AL-06)
  • Congressman Nathaniel Moran (TX-01)
  • Congressman Craig Goldman (TX-12)
  • Congressman Michael Cloud (TX-27)
  • Congressman August Pfluger (TX-11), Chairman, Republican Study Committee
  • Chairman Brian Babin (TX-36), Chairman, House Committee on Science, Space & Technology
  • Chairman Roger Williams (TX-25), Chairman, House Committee on Small Business
  • Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Chairman, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation
  • Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Chair, Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs & Global Competitiveness

The delegation also engaged with the administration of Scott Turner, U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development, leaders at America First Policy Institute, and senior officials at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

Texas continues to demonstrate how disciplined public policy fuels durable growth. Leadership in energy production, artificial intelligence infrastructure, workforce productivity, and regulatory clarity is an operational reality for our members, and what our TAB federal priorities are focused on.

Energy & Infrastructure

Texas companies compete globally in energy, and discussions focused on frameworks that support Texas continuing to lead in LNG, petrochemicals, advanced manufacturing, while also supporting a diverse generation fleet that includes renewables, reliable baseload fuels, nuclear innovation, and emerging technologies. Reliable, affordable power is the foundation of that leadership.

Policymakers also heard clearly that predictable, standardized energy and emissions certification frameworks are essential if U.S. producers are to compete credibly in global markets. Texas businesses need reliability, transparency, and long-term predictability to continue leading.

Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technology

TAB hosted an AI Capitol Forum presented by Amazon featuring Chairman Ted Cruz. The focus was on ensuring the United States leads in AI innovation without being constrained by fragmented or burdensome regulation. Key themes included:

  • Federal preemption to avoid a patchwork regulatory environment
  • Energy abundance to power AI infrastructure
  • Building an American AI workforce pipeline starting in K-12
  • Reskilling and upskilling for AI-driven economic shifts

AI innovation is more than an enormous opportunity – it is a necessity for national and economic security. Any policy must enable and incentivize growth, not slow it down.

Workforce & Apprenticeships

During our meetings in Washington, TAB emphasized that Texas employers are investing heavily in apprenticeships and technical training, often paying out of pocket because federal workforce funding can be overly rigid or difficult to access. Discussions included:

  • Expanding apprenticeship payroll tax credits
  • Aligning credentials of value with employer needs
  • Strengthening high school-to-career pathways

Texas understands that productivity drives prosperity. Workforce policy must reflect that reality.

Trade & Global Competitiveness

Texas leads the nation in exports and competes on a global stage. TAB reinforced support for a strong and enforceable USMCA, predictable trade policy, and supply chain certainty. Conversations included protecting biotech innovation, securing critical mineral supply chains, and ensuring federal trade decisions strengthen, not undermine, Texas manufacturers, agricultural producers, and exporters.

This fly-in would not have been possible without the generous support of our sponsors.

Presenting Sponsors:
Boeing and Amazon

Reception Sponsors:
Constellation Brands and Siemens

Corporate Sponsors:
IBC Bank, Port Corpus Christi, Texas Mutual, Tech Means Business

Advocate Sponsors:
Ultrahuman, TXBIZ Chamber News, Genentech, Pope Strategies Group

Small Business Sponsors:
QBS Construction and QBS Consulting

Local Chamber Sponsors:
The Chamber (Abilene) and Greater Houston Partnership

Foundation Sponsor:
Texas Association of Business Chambers of Commerce Foundation

We are grateful to our engaged and thoughtful attendees:

TAB was proud to be joined by business and chamber leaders from across the state, including Norm Archibald (Abilene Chamber of Commerce), Kenya Burrell-Wormer (QBS Consulting Group), Kate Burrell-Wormer (QBS Consulting Group), Elise Conner (Genentech), Kelbi Culwell (Boeing), Emily Christy (Zachry Group), Andrew Dill (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics), Dave Emerick (JPMorgan Chase), Jessica Friend (Genentech), Zaira Garcia (FWD.us), Edgar Guillaumin (Constellation Brands), Greg Hernandez (Genentech), Delayne Hyatt (Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce), Caroline Joiner (Amazon), Gultekin Kaya (Harmony Public Schools), Hesston Klenk (AES Clean Energy), Pavan Kumar (Ultrahuman Healthcare, LLC), Romanita Matta-Barrera (greater: SATX), Kevin Matula (USAA), Jo Betsy Norton (Texas Mutual), John Pappas (Siemens Corporation), Pooja Patel (Siemens Corporation), Clay Pope (Pope Strategies Group), Becky Redman (Lockheed Martin Aeronautics), Laurie Tyson (Siemens Corporation), and Bradley Westmoreland (Genentech).

If you want to be part of these critical conversations, engage with TAB. Our members shape our agenda and when Texas business shows up unified and solutions-focused, it makes a difference.

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