BETTENDORF, IOWA (October 13, 2026) — The US Chamber of Commerce recognized Representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks with its Advocate for American Business Award during a stop on the Free Enterprise Express Opportunity Tour in Bettendorf, Iowa, highlighting her support for policies that promote economic growth, job creation, and opportunity for Iowa businesses and workers.
Following the presentation, Rep Miller-Meeks joined Thomas Wickham, Vice President of Government Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce, for visits to Small Town Pastry, a family-owned bakery and café, and Silverthorne Homes, a growing regional homebuilder serving communities across two states.
"These visits in my home state of Iowa showcased the power of free enterprise in action. We met with entrepreneurs and job creators who are investing in their communities, creating opportunities, and helping drive Iowa’s economy forward. But they need policies that support growth rather than red tape that stands in the way. Congresswoman Miller-Meeks understands this and has consistently championed the free-enterprise policies that help businesses thrive and workers succeed. We were proud to recognize that leadership by presenting her with the US Chamber’s Advocate for American Business Award,” said Thomas Wickham, Vice President of Government Affairs at the US Chamber of Commerce.
The national Free Enterprise Express Opportunity Tour is a six-week trip through twenty states and more than fifty events to make the case for free enterprise in communities across America and push back against growing support for government-directed economic policies that threaten economic freedom, opportunity, innovation, and growth.
The effort is part of a broader Chamber initiative, the New Fight for Free Enterprise, a multi-year effort to organize, mobilize, and make the case for free enterprise everywhere public opinion is shaped, public policy is made, and future generations learn what it takes for people and communities to thrive.
About the US Chamber of Commerce
The US Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business organization representing companies of all sizes across every sector of the economy. Our members range from the small businesses and local chambers of commerce that line the Main Streets of America to leading industry associations and large corporations.
For more than 114 years, we have advocated for pro-business policies that help businesses create jobs and grow our economy.
