New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik received an award from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce today before a business-friendly crowd gathered in Plattsburgh.
The national and regional chamber presented the “Spirit of Enterprise” Award to New York’s 21st District Congressional representative during a Supply Chain Summit in Plattsburgh.
The U.S. Chamber tracks 20 House and 14 Senate votes to grade members, including Trade Promotion Authority, Import-Export Bank Reauthorization, Surface Transportation, Omnibus Appropriations , trade and the budget.
The Chamber found that Republican Elise Stefanik voted 100 percent of the time in favor of key chamber issues. New York Representatives Richard Hanna of the Utica area and Tom Reed from western New York, also Republicans, also tracked a 100 percent voting pattern.
U.S. Chamber of Commerce Eastern Region Manager Nick Vaugh called the award the chamber’s most prestigious. “The U.S. Chamber for over fifty years we've tracked members of Congress and their votes that impact the business community. And your congresswoman had your back on each and every issue. On behalf of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce the entire Chamber Federation, we represent over three million businesses, I am honored to present the congresswoman with a “Spirit of Enterprise” award for her laser focus on growing jobs and the economy here in the North Country and throughout America.”
Representative Stefanik says the award is particularly important to her because she grew up in a small business family. “Promoting economic growth and job creation right here in the North Country is my top priority as your member of Congress. And much of the important work that I've done so far has been to expand economic opportunity and to help truly create a business climate where you the job creators can thrive and grow right here at home. We've taken many steps in the right direction. We have a lot more work to do. And I'm so honored to accept the “Spirit of Enterprise” award on behalf of my office.”
The Congresswoman highlighted work or votes on the transportation bill, reauthorization of the Import-Export bank, a preclearance agreement between the U.S. and Canada, and other bills that impact the economy of the district.
Plattsburgh North Country Chamber President and CEO Garry Douglas said the Congresswoman has been an exceptional advocate for the region’s business and economic growth. “She has been a great champion on North Country specific issues and projects. She's been a great champion on U.S.-Canada relations. That includes things related to maintaining and enhancing the fluidity at our northern border. That is the single biggest driving force in the economy of the North Country. She's been a champion on transportation investments that are so important to some of the companies here and 34 transportation equipment companies in the region. Fort Drum and aggressively helping to secure the long term future of the single largest single-site employer not just in the North Country but in the state of New York. And then I could go through a whole litany of individual situations. She's there all the time.”
According to Vaugh, the U.S. Chamber awards the “Spirit of Enterprise” award during each Congress to those who score 70 percent or higher on the 20 issues targeted by the business organization. Nine representatives in New York scored over 70 percent. All are Republicans.
