Donald Trump’s Washington will be packed with big business heavyweights like Elon Musk, Scott Bessent and Howard Lutnick. They all have the inside track.
Then there are the traditional, powerful industries represented by another major heavyweight: the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which, for much of its more than 100-year history, has been a trusted ally of the Republican Party.
But it’s no secret that the House’s partnership with the Republican Party has failed in recent years.
Part of this is political. Part of this is politics.
But as a whole, the House now faces a daunting challenge: In January, Trump – a populist president who promises new tariffs and pro-union policies – will be sworn in with a mandate for change. Meanwhile, Congress is expected to pass a series of massive bills that will eliminate some of the House’s biggest issues: taxes, energy permits and immigration.
Will the House even get a seat at the table? Not unless someone can fix their recent feud with Republicans. So how do you fix that?
Well, it all starts with a good lobbyist. Someone who can open doors, grease egos, and fill a table at Capital Grille. And that’s where former Congressman Rodney Davis comes in.
Davis, who served in the House from 2013 to 2023, has been given a big task: regaining the House’s swagger. Persuade his former Republican colleagues in Congress to forget (or at least forgive) their recent grudges against the House and instead remember their shared priorities, of which there are many.
Playbook co-author Rachael Bade spoke with Davis in an interview for the Playbook Deep Dive podcast on Thursday to find out how exactly she’s going to do this. In many ways, he rejected the premise, but shared insightful details about how the business community is advancing its priorities in Trump’s new Washington (including what they would like to see in a reconciliation bill) and which relationships are the most valuable. to achieve victories. in the new Congress and in the White House.