Chamber of Commerce, mainly helping Republicans, emerges as formidable political force

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Chamber emerges as formidable political force

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is spending record amounts on lobbying and in key election races — elbowing into the nation’s politics in unprecedented ways for the business community.

The country’s largest business lobby has pledged to spend $75 million in this year’s elections. That’s on top of a lobbying effort that has cost the organization nearly $190 million since Barack Obama became president.

Those numbers alone give the group clout as a virtual third party and a powerful voice in what laws are made and who’s elected.

In its dual lobbying-politicking roles, the chamber has been a visible player in congressional debates, fighting Obama administration initiatives on health care, financial regulations and energy policy.