U.S. Chamber of Commerce woos Congressional Black Caucus.

The Hill reports:

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has quietly begun a campaign to court members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), an all-Democratic and largely liberal group that in the past has found little common ground with business interests.

The move comes at a time when many major legislative initiatives pass by the slimmest of margins, if at all. Under such conditions, even a few votes gleaned from the ranks of the CBC could deliver a victory for the Chamber’s pro-business agenda.

The Chamber’s effort follows closely on the heels of Wal-Mart’s enterprising courtship of the CBC, in which the retail giant has been seeking to drive a wedge between labor unions and their longtime allies in Congress. Wal-Mart has highlighted its role as the largest employer of African-Americans.

It was unclear whether the Chamber’s efforts would extend as far as donating to CBC members’ campaigns, as Wal-Mart has done.