Federal Policy Priorities

The Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce serves as a powerful advocate for the business community in South Central Kansas, promoting Federal Policy Priorities that strengthen the economy, support innovation and enhance our community's overall well-being. The Chamber believes in the power of collaboration between businesses and federal policymakers to create a legislative environment that promotes growth, opportunity and prosperity for all.

Each year, the Chamber's Government Relations Department develops a list of Federal Policy Priorities on issues important to the business community in South Central Kansas. Federal policies play a crucial role in shaping the business environment, influencing everything from tax regulations to infrastructure investments. The Chamber is committed to advocating for policies that create an environment conducive to entrepreneurship, job creation and sustained economic development.

2025-2026 Federal Policy Priorities

Business/Regulatory Environment & Economic Development

The Chamber believes in a fair and equitable system of taxation that promotes private sector growth and makes the United States more competitive (e.g., extending R&D immediate expensing, making permanent the tax cuts created in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and opposing business tax increases). Congress is urged to support measures that ensure permanency of the tax policy in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that are set to expire.
The Chamber supports policies that foster a competitive cost structure for businesses related to healthcare, utilities, and income and payroll taxes, as well as professional and business licensing fees. From the farmer’s field to the shop floor and everywhere in between, the Chamber supports a regulatory environment that is fair and globally competitive where government lowers the barriers to entry for business owners and entrepreneurs. Government should assist and encourage business growth and start-ups by ensuring licensing and regulations are not restrictive and onerous. This includes opposing federal mandates that would add costs or cause lost income related to environmental or social governance compliance and reporting.
The Chamber is opposed to regulations that restrict business activities. The Chamber supports economic development and programs that result in jobs and investment, including innovative research and investment in target industry sectors located in South Central Kansas.

Free Trade

The Chamber strongly supports free trade agreements that help companies compete in the global marketplace. Free trade grows our economy, opens new markets, and provides access to quality products and services from other countries. Businesses in industries ranging from agriculture and manufacturing to energy and services depend on free trade to import and export. To enhance the Wichita region's status as a hub for our state's export activity, the federal government should advance free trade agreements, streamline compliance requirements, reduce financial barriers, promote intellectual property protections, and expand market access for U.S. supply chains.

Transportation & Infrastructure

The Chamber believes that proper investment in transportation systems, energy, and infrastructure is a crucial component of a thriving economy. The Wichita region depends on investments in roads, bridges, rail transit, and airports, as well as water, utility, and military installation infrastructure (McConnell Air Force Base). The Chamber supports reforms to the Southwest Power Pool (SPP) that would place restrictions on rapidly increasing SPP-directed spending. The Federal government should equitably tax and distribute funding to address these critical infrastructure needs, including regionally significant projects as identified by the South Central Kansas Transportation Coalition.

Healthcare

The Chamber urges Congress to make necessary changes to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) so businesses, especially small businesses, may afford to offer health insurance to their employees. The federal government should allow small businesses to enter into Associated Health Plans to offer better coverage at lower costs. Making health coverage more affordable for small businesses would not only support employees but also stimulate economic growth by enabling businesses to invest more in expansion, hiring, and innovation.

Workforce Development & Education

The Chamber supports a strong workforce pipeline and policies that seek to attract, engage, and retain diverse talent. The federal government should promote, not discourage, participation in the labor force. Appropriate investments in job training, workforce development and childcare programs that encourage employment are critical to economic growth in the United States and the Wichita region. The Chamber supports Kansas’ designation as a right-to-work state to enhance workforce competitiveness and protect workers against being fired if they decline to pay union dues. The Chamber supports policies that provide opportunities for veterans, transitioning service members, and military dependents to quickly transition into the workforce. The Chamber supports criminal justice reform and initiatives that facilitate workforce reentry for individuals who have been incarcerated, as well as programs that help recipients of government assistance obtain employment.