Over Half a Million Americans
Over 500,000 Americans are employed in the Business of Chemistry, and their jobs provide critical materials for our daily life while contributing to one-fourth of the United States GDP. Maintaining responsible policies helping solve challenges facing U.S. businesses is a key part of keeping our nation competitive on an international stage and allowing chemical workers to provide for their families at home.
In recent years, the turbulence that’s become standard for government has created a challenge for policymakers who seek to understand a clear picture of what impacts new laws will have on stakeholders.
The Voices of Many
Americans want their voices to be heard — in the halls of Congress, state houses, and at their city hall. We know this to be true, as more and more Americans participate in each election with — nearly two-thirds of voting-age Americans casting their ballot in the 2020 presidential race.
But once their representatives get elected, much fewer people exercise their power to influence what issues are prioritized in state capitols and Washington. Every American should feel empowered to petition their elected officials at all levels of government.
ACC’s “North Star”
Advocacy is the North Star of the American Chemistry Council (ACC) – it’s why we got started 150 years ago, and it remains the driving force behind our activities . ACC is a stalwart representative of the business of chemistry in all 50 states and in Washington DC – advocating for our industry’s right to produce and market the building blocks of manufacturing based on transparent and scientifically sound legislation and regulations.
ACC’s Political Mobilization team plays a crucial role in enhancing ACC’s advocacy efforts by educating stakeholders including people like yourself, your coworkers, and your elected officials in state capitols and DC - on the complex issues impacting the business of chemistry in an easily digestible way. The main goal is to get folks involved in issues that they care about by making it as simple as possible to engage their elected officials with just a few clicks on ChemistryMatters.com.
Growing Challenges
Unfortunately, challenges in advocacy continue to grow. Despite our ever-connected world, an American working remotely will likely never have the chance to see the inner workings of the plant that created his laptop computer chip. A senator writing a bill to ban a critical chemical may never see the lifesaving effects it can have on a hospitalized constituent.
With an influx of information and misinformation circulating online, it’s hard to know where to turn for accurate information on issues that matter. Luckily, ACC’s economics, state and federal affairs, and communications teams work hard to produce top-quality reports and analysis, which our Political Mobilization and State Affairs teams disseminate across the country.
Chemistry is similar to government, being a world that to many, feels far too complicated to understand. Ironically, many politicians could use a hand in better understanding the business of chemistry and its critical role in the United States economy. ACC works to demystify these issues, so politicians can make better informed decisions when it comes time for them to legislate.
Opportunities to Learn
We enjoy bringing elected officials to the center of the action, chemistry facilities, so they can learn from these Americans directly about their work. We create opportunities for dedicated workers employed at these research & development labs, testing sites, and manufacturing facilities to speak to elected officials about how their work contributes to vast supply chains spanning across the world.
By providing scientists and other workers a voice in how the government impacts their work, we open the door to innovation and progress in America.
