| House Republicans today welcomed to the Capitol a new "anti-woke" business lobbying group, amplifying their hostility toward the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the broader "environmental, social and corporate governance" (ESG) movement, Axios' Jonathan Swan reports. Why it matters: The U.S. Chamber used to wield enormous power within the GOP as the representative of business interests. But the country's largest lobbying group is now viewed with contempt across large swaths of the Republican Party. Driving the news: As Axios first reported, the American Free Enterprise Chamber of Commerce is positioning itself as an alternative to lobbies like the U.S. Chamber, which some Republicans charge have lurched left to appease Democrats amid a broader effort by corporate America to advocate on issues such as abortion, voting rights and racial justice. Behind the scenes: A lunch hosted by the largest group of conservatives in the House, the Republican Study Committee, quickly turned into a bashing session against the U.S. Chamber and corporate ESG. - RSC chairman Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the new group's two leaders — its chairman, former Iowa governor and President Trump's ambassador to China Terry Branstad, and CEO Gentry Collins, a former political director of the Republican National Committee.
- In his introductory remarks, Banks said he was "increasingly frustrated with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for supporting woke policies and enriching China."
Between the lines: Woke is a term used to refer to an awareness of broad injustices in society that conservatives are increasingly using as a pejorative to criticize liberal ideals. During a Q&A session, Rep. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) described the corporate ESG movement as a "threat" to the U.S. that's been "undermining American competitiveness." - "Obviously, the Chamber of Commerce has been corrupted by woke thinking," Barr said.
- Barr told Branstad about his bill, the "Ensuring Sound Guidance (ESG) Act," which is part of a broader GOP legislative assault against green investing and other forms of socially responsible investment.
- Barr's bill would require investment advisers to prioritize financial returns over other issues such as sustainability.
- "Amen," Branstad replied. "I agree with that."
Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio) told Branstad and Collins: "Thanks for organizing an actual American Chamber of Commerce versus this woke Chamber." - Branstad was seen huddling with House Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) at the end of the lunch and later met with House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy's staff. Scalise's chief of staff, Brett Horton, said last year his office wants nothing to do with the U.S. Chamber.
- "If the U.S. Chamber sent me a meeting request right now, I wouldn't even staff that meeting out to an intern, and I don't see that changing," Horton said.
The other side: In response to this reporting, a U.S. Chamber spokesman told Axios: "Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce was advocating for boosting domestic energy production and cutting tariffs to curb inflation, fighting taxes in the Senate, securing two business community wins at the Supreme Court, and ensuring pro-business champions like [South Carolina GOP] Rep. [Nancy] Mace return to Congress. So I am not sure what these people were referring to." Share this story. | 
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