HENRICO, V.A. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger has received the “Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award” and the “Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship” from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. She is the only Member of Virginia’s congressional delegation to receive either award.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the “Abraham Lincoln Leadership for America Award” recognizes Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle based on their cosponsorship of legislation important to the business community.  This prestigious recognition is presented to the top Senators and Representatives from both parties. The “Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship” is presented to the top Senators and Representatives from each party who consistently work across party lines to introduce legislation that is important to small businesses and their employees.

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne Clark and Chamber Chief Policy Officer Neil Bradley presented Spanberger with the awards. The announcement was made during the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Bipartisanship and Leadership Awards on Thursday afternoon. Click here to watch the ceremony, which includes remarks from Spanberger.

“These awards recognize members of Congress based on their cosponsorship of legislation important to the business community and who demonstrated a commitment to forging bipartisan solutions that move our nation and economy forward,” said U.S. Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Suzanne Clark. “The Chamber appreciates Congresswoman Spanberger’s support of policies that create jobs and support economic growth, as well as her willingness to work across the aisle.”

“In this moment of renewal and recovery, I am committed to working for Central Virginians in a way that delivers a promising future for our families, businesses, and overall economy. In this past year, Central Virginia has felt the economic impacts of the COVID-19 crisis alongside thousands of communities across the United States. This virus did not distinguish between Democrats and Republicans, and we have all faced the same challenges,” said Spanberger. “In Congress, I have been proud to introduce and support bipartisan bills that have focused on workforce development, relief to Main Street businesses, and expanded broadband internet access. I would like to thank the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for these awards and for their continued commitment to pursuing policies that can provide much-needed support to America’s businesses in this moment of opportunity. In the weeks and months ahead, I have great confidence in the strength and resolve of the American worker and our American businesses, and I know that the role of Congress should be to focus on policy — not politics — to keep our businesses competitive and to achieve tangible progress on their behalf.”

During her time in the U.S. House, Spanberger has consistently been recognized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce for her leadership and her willingness to work across the aisle to deliver results. In June 2020, Spanberger received the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s first-ever “Jefferson-Hamilton Award for Bipartisanship” for her work to bring Republicans and Democrats together to advance legislation on behalf of the people of Central Virginia. Later that month, she also earned the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s “Spirit of Enterprise” award for her support of Central Virginia’s economy during her first term in the U.S. House.

In Congress, Spanberger has prioritized building coalitions with her colleagues across the aisle and advancing legislation on behalf of the people and small businesses of Virginia’s Seventh District. Last month, she was ranked by the Lugar Center and Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy for the second year in a row as one of the top five most bipartisan Democrats in the U.S. House and the most bipartisan Member of Virginia’s congressional delegation.

Spanberger is Vice-Chair of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus. In December 2020, the Problem Solvers Caucus helped negotiate and pass a bipartisan, bicameral emergency COVID-19 relief package. Spanberger helped kickstart relief negotiations and craft the bipartisan proposal that led to this additional federal support.

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