July CEO Update

Weeks before fireworks lit up the Fourth of July sky, something remarkable happened. A thunderbolt from above reminded the world, once again, that America is capable of bold, decisive leadership.

President Trump’s targeted strike against Iran’s nuclear program was not about showmanship or saber-rattling, but rather a long-overdue act of national and strategic responsibility. For more than four decades, Iran’s regime has defied international norms, spread terror, and pursued the means to threaten not just Israel and its neighbors, but the very order of the civilized world.

For those of us who lived through the fall of the Shah, the embassy takeover, the long humiliation of the hostage crisis, and the moral uncertainty of that era, I cannot help but see this as a clarifying moment. It was history catching its breath. An echo of Reagan’s resolve to bring the hostages home and wield the unmistakable saber of American might.

The timing of this Top Gun-style operation was poignant. As families across the country gathered to celebrate the dawn of independence, our actions abroad reminded the world that this nation was not forged in retreat. It was built on courage and defended, again and again, by men and women who were willing to act when others would not.

And here at home, we are writing the next great chapter of the American story, as Capitol Hill heeded the call of more than 630 ALEC legislators who signed our letter to Congress on permanently extending the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. Now, with President Trump’s signature on the Fourth of July, the One, Big, Beautiful Bill is set to deliver on the President’s promises of growth, accountability, and bold reform to help American businesses thrive for years to come.

Amid this whirlwind, we pause to honor a corporate icon, Federal Express Founder and CEO, Fred Smith. He wasn’t just a business, shipping, and logistical genius; he was a warrior for principle, a corporate leader with the courage to back bold ideas, sound policies, and the organizations that carried them forward. Fred never wavered in his support for capitalism and free markets. I met him during the Contract with America days and my work with Newt Gingrich, and I never once doubted his devotion to free markets, growth, and building institutions that endure. His passing reminds us that leadership isn’t confined to Capitol Hill. It’s found in those who relentlessly do what’s right, no matter the cost.

And as we celebrated our country’s birthday this weekend, we could use more reminders of who we are and what we stand for. That’s what made this year’s Independence Day so powerful. Recently, I had the privilege of joining U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon at the White House to celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of our founding. ALEC is also celebrating this anniversary with our new video series spotlighting the 13 original colonies, one by one, showcasing today’s champions of liberty who are fighting to preserve the revolutionary ideals that birthed this nation. If we want this anniversary to matter, we’ve got to make it matter. And we will.

You’ll see that same spirit of renewal and ambition in our latest Labor Report, States That Work. This is a comprehensive, data-driven roadmap for unlocking economic opportunity at the state level. It highlights where workers enjoy the greatest freedom to thrive, where innovation is rewarded, and where outdated mandates continue to hold back growth. For any legislator serious about revitalizing their state’s economic foundation, this report offers clear, actionable guidance.

All of this points toward our Annual Meeting in Indianapolis. Ten days from now, more than 1,500 legislators, cabinet officials, governors, thought leaders, and industry partners will gather to talk policy and help shape the next chapter of the American story. Each bringing the unique perspective from their state — their own laboratory of democracy — to the table. From education freedom and healthcare price transparency to energy dominance and tax reform, every conversation is rooted in the goal to identify policies that don’t just work on paper, but deliver real results in the real world.

This is where ALEC shines. We aren’t in the business of issuing talking points—we’re in the business of building the trusted policy solutions of tomorrow, forged through collaboration, tested by experience, and grounded in the enduring principles of limited government, free markets, and federalism. With that focus, the next decade can truly become a golden age for growth, innovation, and renewal. Let’s keep pushing. See you in Indy!