Clark will become CEO from March 11, when the board of directors will meet next, but Donohue will remain a consultant.
“Suzanne Clark’s vast experience through increasing responsibilities during her more than 16 years in the Chamber, combined with her ambitious vision and continued work to strengthen the US Chamber of Commerce, make her the resounding choice to lead the organization for the future, ”Christopher Lofgren, Mayor of the Council, said in a statement.
“I am honored to lead the US House at a time when our members need us most,” said Clark in a statement released by the House. “American companies are dealing with the pandemic uncertainty, the challenges of an uneven recession and recovery, sudden changes in government leadership and policy and almost constant disruptions caused by rapid technological advances.”
Axios reported for the first time on Friday that Clark would likely be chosen as Donohue’s successor.
The change in leadership comes as the business group faces a new government amid an unexpected recession induced by a pandemic that has shut down dozens of companies across the country.
The traditionally pro-Republican group has also moved more towards the center in recent times. Although he often fought with the Obama administration over his health policies, regulation and economic recovery and financed the Republican Party’s acquisition of the House and Senate government in the midterm elections during the Obama era, he endorsed a list of Democratic candidates in the last year, provoking an internal reaction from the organization, among its donors and even some of its possible beneficiaries.
Shortly thereafter, the Chamber separated from its top political strategist, Scott Reid, who the group said was fired but said it resigned due to a political shift to the left.
During Donohue’s time in front of the Chamber, the group became a political power, usually classified as the biggest lobbyist on K Street. The Chamber spent nearly $ 82 million on lobbying efforts last year, according to data from the Center for Responsive Politics.
While the House worked with the Trump administration on a number of issues, from the Republican Party’s tax review to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade deal, Donohue often split with former President Donald Trump on issues ranging from tariffs to immigration . Donohue condemned Trump’s efforts to cast doubt on the results of the November election, which culminated in the attack on the Capitol last month.
The House showed interest in working with the Biden government, offering initial praise for President Joe Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion relief proposal, before arguing that Biden should seek a bipartisan commitment, rather than presenting a bill with Democratic votes only. Prior to Tuesday’s announcement, Donohue took a walk from the City Hall to Lafayette Square to meet with Biden and other business leaders about Biden’s proposal.
And in his annual speech on State of American Business last month, Donohue said he believed the House and the White House could also work together on an infrastructure package.