Policy Agenda

Federal Policy

Advancing a regional plan for the Pacific Northwest

Since 2022, the Portland Metro Chamber and Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce have collaborated to develop shared federal policy priorities addressing common challenges in the Pacific Northwest’s two largest urban centers.

The chambers jointly advance this federal agenda to the Biden Administration and Congress. While these advocacy priorities are notable to the flagship cities of the Pacific Northwest, we know solving challenges in our cities will improve the prosperity of the entire Pacific Northwest.

Federal Policy Priorities

1. Transportation and infrastrcutre

Fund the I-5 Bridge replacement & Interstate System modernization
Support development of Cascadia High Speed Rail
Update Washington’s Ferry Systems

2. Housing and Homelessness

Expand programs and tax incentives for building low and middle income housing and support services to help those experiencing houselessness, including, but not limited to Continuum of CareProgram, Emergency Shelter and Navigation Service Grants, Emergency Solutions Grants, Community Development Block Grants, Housing Choice Vouchers, and the HOME Investment Partnerships Program.

3. Fentanyl trafficking and addiction

Support President Biden’s strategy and supplemental funding request to disrupt fentanyl trafficking and expand addiction treatment and recovery services
Support the bi-partisan Modernizing Opioid Treatment Access Act (S. 666/H.R. 1359)
Support the Import Security and Fairness Act (H.R. 4148)
Support the bi-partisan FEND off Fentanyl Act (S. 1271)

4. Downtown rebuilding and urban core enhancements

Support downtown rebuilding and urban core enhancements
Support funding for critical Portland economic development projects
Support funding for improvements to Portland’s Union Station

5. Tax incentives for inclusive economic growth

Support the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024
Extend the 20% pass-through deduction as proposed by the Main Street Certainty Act (S. 1706/H.R. 4721)
Support The Childcare Investment Act (H.R. 4571)

6. Permitting reform

Enact meaningful, durable legislation to modernize America’s permitting processes

7. Workforce and small business relief

Provide funding to incentivize workforce development at the state level through vocational or employer sponsored training programs
Make significant new funding investments in the Pell Grant program

8. Immigration reform

Expand legal immigration options for future immigrants and temporary workers to the U.S.
Create new visa options that will help highly educated international students in the U.S. stay after they graduate from American colleges
Provide legal certainty to DACA recipients and long-term beneficiaries of the Temporary Protected Status program

9. Support Black economic prosperity

Support ongoing SBA funding for NAMC-Oregon and the Black Business Association of Oregon to support their groundbreaking regional Black economic development programs