The Chamber’s Federal Priorities for 2026

As Congress begins work on its 2026 agenda, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber is focused on federal policies that directly affect economic growth, workforce development and quality of life across the region. The Chamber’s federal priorities reflect the needs of local employers, community partners, and residents, with an emphasis on long-term competitiveness and stability.

At the core of this work is collaboration with Oklahoma’s congressional delegation to ensure federal policy and funding decisions support the Greater Oklahoma City region.

Securing Federal Funding for Oklahoma City

The Chamber will work closely with Oklahoma’s congressional delegation to pursue Congressionally Directed Spending requests, federal appropriations and competitive federal grants tied to economic development, infrastructure, education, health care, public safety and aerospace and defense initiatives. These efforts support both Chamber priorities and projects led by strategic partners across the region.

The Chamber also supports continued funding for federal capital improvement grants and long-term, sustainable funding for the federal surface transportation program. This includes working with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to secure a permanent solution for the Federal Highway Trust Fund, ensuring Oklahoma’s roads, bridges and transit systems can support future growth.

Innovation, Research and National Security

Innovation plays a critical role in Oklahoma City’s economic future. The Chamber supports a balanced federal approach to artificial intelligence that encourages innovation while protecting fundamental rights and national security. Clear and consistent federal policy is essential to maintaining the United States’ global leadership in emerging technologies.

The Chamber also supports strong federal investment in research and development, including funding for the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation and National Institute for Standards and Technology. Protecting programs that build research capacity in Oklahoma and strengthen collaboration between industry and research institutions remains a key priority.

Workforce, Education and Talent

A strong workforce begins with access to education and talent. The Chamber supports efforts to help students pay for higher education by increasing awareness and participation in financial aid programs such as FAFSA, Oklahoma’s Promise and concurrent enrollment opportunities. Ensuring FAFSA is released on time and processed reliably each year is critical for students, families and institutions to plan effectively.

The Chamber also supports Pell Grants, short-term Pell programs for workforce credentials and TRIO programs that help disadvantaged students succeed. Immigration reform is another workforce priority, with support for policies that secure the border while establishing practical visa systems that allow employers to recruit and retain essential workers.

Health Care and Public Health

The Chamber supports improving health care access, affordability and quality without imposing excessive mandates or costs on employers. It opposes Medicaid cuts that would strain providers, increase uncompensated care and shift costs onto businesses and health care systems.

The Chamber also supports reauthorization of the Pandemic and All Hazards Preparedness Act, increased federal investment in life sciences and health infrastructure, and direct allocation of public health grant dollars to local city-county health departments.

Infrastructure, Environment and Energy

Reliable infrastructure is essential to economic growth. In addition to surface transportation funding, the Chamber supports responsible freight rail policy and opposes additional federal regulations that could disrupt supply chains.

The Chamber will work with state, regional and federal partners to prevent the Greater Oklahoma City region from being designated in nonattainment of federal air quality standards and opposes overly restrictive national standards that could negatively impact economic development. The Chamber also supports reasonable federal water regulations and expanded electric vehicle infrastructure through partnerships with the private sector.

A Focused Federal Strategy

Together, these priorities reflect the Chamber’s commitment to advocating for federal policies that support employers, strengthen the workforce and position Oklahoma City for long-term success.