Guest Post: Hopes for Economic Growth in the Trump Administration
Former President Barack Obama gives his inaugural address in 2009.
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OPINION
By Rodney Davis
On January 20th, our nation will once again watch our democracy in action as one administration transfers power to another. While I’ve had the privilege of attending inaugurations in our nation's capital, this will be the first one in over a decade that I’ll be watching as a proud citizen and not sitting on the cold platform as a Member of Congress.
The sight of hundreds of thousands of Americans stretching from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial is something I wish every American could see from the view I was blessed to have. For me, it was reassuring to know that no matter if you are a Democrat or Republican, anyone in this free country can help govern our great nation, just as our forefathers imagined when they fought and bickered with each other to finally come up with our constitutional republic.
However, as a Member of Congress, that moment of bliss ends as soon as the ceremony concludes. As one walks back into the Capitol, questions begin about what happens next in Congress or why the incoming president said this or that. And of course, the politics never stop.
I’ll be honest, the ceremonies were great to be a part of, but I am looking forward to being in a more relaxed setting and hopefully watching the festivities from a warm office, while maybe cracking open a cold Busch Light, or more likely a Diet Coke at that time of day.
Instead of being a part of Congress from the inside, I now get to exercise my constitutional right to petition our government from the outside.
As we prepare for this new administration, I reflect on the November election and how voters made clear that leaders in Washington have a mandate to advance a policy agenda that will grow the economy and create opportunities for all to achieve the American dream.
I'm especially excited about this inauguration because in my new role as the Head of Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we are uniquely positioned to partner with the Trump administration and Congress to fulfill this mandate.
At the U.S. Chamber, we have called on elected officials to support policies that would achieve at least 3% annual real economic growth over the next decade.
Why 3%? With 3% growth, a child born today could see their living standard double by their early 20s. How do we get there? We develop a larger, more skilled workforce, encourage investment in cutting-edge technology, and inspire innovation by giving the private sector the certainty to plan, invest, and grow.
President Trump has a track record from his first term of supporting policies that will help America reach 3% growth. In 2017, I was excited join my colleagues and President Trump to craft the Tax Cut and Jobs Act. Many of the pro-growth tax provisions of that package have or are expiring in 2025. If Congress and President Trump don’t act, the impact could be devastating to the American economy and to you and your family.
It was a privilege to serve my constituents in central and southwestern Illinois in what used to be the 13th Congressional District for its entire 10-year existence, but I am excited to now advocate for economic growth and opportunity on behalf of my new constituency, the many members who make up the largest trade association in America: the United States Chamber of Commerce.
Rodney Davis, of Taylorville, spent 16 years on staff with former Congressman John Shimkus before being elected to Congress representing the 13th Congressional District in 2012. He spent 10 years in the House and joined the U.S. Chamber of Congress in 2024.
