BROWNSVILLE, Texas - The Brownsville Chamber of Commerce has finalized its plans for 2025 Brownsville Chamber Washington, D.C. Fly-In.
More than 30 officials from the public and private sectors will participate. They will depart Brownsville on Sept. 9 and return Sept. 11.
The officials will promote Brownsville’s federal legislative priorities. One of the priorities is economic and community development.
Here are Brownsville’s priorities for economic and community development:
Advance national economic policies that reduce the tax burden on small businesses, attract investment in underserved areas and sustain long-term economic competitiveness across regions like the Rio Grande Valley.
Support federal incentives, including R&D tax credits, to bolster investment in advanced technologies and manufacturing sectors critical to Texas, such as semiconductors, bioscience and Aerosmith and aerospace.
Oppose elements of the One Big Beautiful Bill that eliminated or reduced several clean energy and economic development tax credits vital to long term industrial diversification and rural business growth.
Promote federal initiatives that support the development of cutting edge technology, including semiconductors in Texas to enhance national security and improve our position as a leader in advanced manufacturing.
Collaborate on AI policy development, ensuring Texas has a voice in shaping a uniform national framework that supports innovation while addressing ethical concerns and preempting states from over burdensome regulations that stifle AI innovation.
Increase federal investment in workforce readiness and up-skilling programs aligned with the needs of fast evolving industries in aerospace, manufacturing, logistics and clean energy.
Support expanded federal funding for registered apprenticeships, Pell Grant eligibility for short-term credentials and Department of Labor re-skilling initiatives.
Back proposals like the American Workforce Innovation and Competitiveness Act to fund community college-industry partnerships and training facilities.
Advocate for targeted investment in regions like the RGV by enhancing federal funding to Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) to grow entrepreneurship and small-scale employers.
Brownsville supports the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley's request to increase SBDC staffing, to enhance small business support, drive recruitment of emerging industries and expand bilingual entrepreneurship services across the region.
Ensure that federal financial regulations support equitable access to credit for small businesses and consumers without placing undue burden on small financial institutions.
Oppose overly restrictive regulations from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that reduce flexibility in credit product offerings and introduce blanket caps (e.g., the proposed $8 cap on late fees)
Push back against national interest rate caps or fee limits that limit access to credit, especially in high risk, rural or underserved markets.
Encourage a balanced regulatory framework that targets predatory practices without penalizing responsible lenders or constraining innovation.
Efforts to cap credit card and small loan fees may unintentionally restrict access to credit for small businesses and consumers in the Rio Grande Valley, where many rely on non traditional lending options for working capital and business growth.
Oppose tariffs that disrupt economic development, particularly those affecting key trading partners, like Mexico and Canada, whose supply chains are strongly connected to the Texas economy.
Support federal legislation that reduces tariffs on industrial components and immediate goods that fuel us, manufacturing intermediate goods that fuel US manufacturing.
Back trade policies that prioritize consistency at ports of entry, including modernized inspection procedures that avoid delays and added costs to small importers and exporters.
Support continued development of the US space economy by investing in infrastructure, legal protections and regulatory clarity for commercial spaceports.
Advocate for federal investment in SpaceX Starbase operations near Brownsville, which employs over 3,500 people and has generated over $6.5 billion in regional economic activity.
Request inclusion of Texas spaceport infrastructure in The Department of Transportation’s FY 2026 infrastructure funding plans.
Support legislation that shields defense contractors and aerospace innovators from frivolous litigation while balancing responsible coastal and environmental stewardship.
