Amid intense debates on Capitol Hill over taxes, trade and federal spending, nearly 100 northeast Oklahoma business and community leaders traveled to Washington, D.C., this week determined to ensure the region’s voice is clearly heard. Hosted by the Tulsa Regional Chamber, the annual OneVoice D.C. Fly-In offered local leaders face-to-face dialogue with lawmakers, positioning northeast Oklahoma’s priorities at the forefront of national policy discussions. 

Mike Neal, president and CEO of the Tulsa Regional Chamber, underscored the trip’s importance in establishing meaningful connections between local businesses and federal officials. 

“Building strong, lasting relationships with our federal policymakers is vital, especially during times of significant national debate,” Neal said. “These conversations make certain northeast Oklahoma’s needs remain top-of-mind and our business community’s voice is consistently heard.” 

Following a Monday evening welcome reception, Tuesday’s programming featured in-depth presentations and conversations with top national policy experts. Neil Bradley, executive vice president at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, provided attendees with insights into current economic policy debates, highlighting the consequences of tariffs and ongoing tax reform efforts. 

U.S. Sen. James Lankford engaged directly with the Tulsa delegation, outlining concerns about federal fiscal responsibility, debt management and reforms to the tax code. 

“This year alone, we’ll have $2 trillion in overspending — that’s twice as much as our total debt accumulation from Andrew Jackson to Ronald Reagan,” Lankford said. “We need to have an adult conversation about economic growth alongside spending discipline.” 

Lankford also clarified ongoing discussions around Medicaid reform, stressing efficiency over cuts. During the Q&A portion, Tulsa-area attendees posed questions relevant to their industries and community. 

Jon Gold, vice president of supply chain and customs policy at the National Retail Federation, added perspective on trade, cautioning attendees about the recent broad tariff increases.  

“If we’re going to revitalize American manufacturing, we need to be strategic,” Gold said. “Tariffs alone aren’t going to bring back those facilities.” 

Tuesday afternoon included a detailed political briefing from Reese Gorman and Matt Fuller, Capitol Hill reporters with the political news outlet NOTUS. They provided an overview of national political dynamics, addressing polarization and the shifting nature of district boundaries, encouraging local leaders to foster bipartisan dialogue in their advocacy. 

In the evening, attendees gathered for a Congressional Reception, where they connected with members of Oklahoma’s federal delegation and their staff. Immediately afterward, the group participated in a private tour of the U.S. Capitol. Congressman Kevin Hern briefly stepped away from late-night committee obligations to greet the group, highlighting his commitment to constituent engagement. 

Over breakfast on Wednesday, Oklahoma’s federal delegation provided legislative updates, touching upon topics such as infrastructure investment, energy policy, regulatory streamlining and measures aimed at increasing economic competitiveness. Several representatives took extensive questions, deepening conversations started earlier in the trip. 

Katie Henke, senior vice president of government affairs for the Tulsa Regional Chamber, reinforced the enduring significance of these federal advocacy efforts. 

“Our advocacy doesn’t stop after one visit to D.C.,” Henke said. “The relationships we build on these trips are foundational. They ensure Tulsa and the entire northeast Oklahoma region have an ongoing voice in federal policy discussions that directly impact our communities and economic health.” 

As the Tulsa-area delegation returned home, the shared commitment remained clear; sustained advocacy and strategic engagement at the federal level are critical to achieving policy outcomes that support northeast Oklahoma’s economic strength and community well-being. This year’s OneVoice D.C. Fly-In successfully positioned regional priorities at a critical juncture in national policymaking, setting the stage for continued progress in the year ahead.