At the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce, we are committed to keeping our members informed and at the forefront of critical policy conversations. This past week, several urgent developments at the federal level have elevated the importance of advocacy like never before.

With the government shutdown in full force, the U.S. Chamber has released a detailed state-by-state analysis showing the direct impacts of political gridlock on small businesses—including right here in Michigan. We encourage members to explore this data and share how your business is affected, so we can better advocate on your behalf. In addition, the U.S. Chamber has developed a toolkit of sample survey questions to help local chambers assess the impact of tariffs on business hiring, investment, supply chains, and more. Your voice matters, and these tools are a direct path to shaping responsive and effective policy.

One of the most immediate actions you can take is to join us in supporting the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) by signing the coalition letter—already backed by over 300 chambers and business organizations. The USMCA ensures continued tariff-free trade with our top two export partners, sustaining more than 13 million American jobs across sectors. As a Chamber rooted in economic growth, we strongly urge our members to stand with us in supporting this critical agreement. The deadline to sign on is November 11th.