Friends of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

INFOGRAPHIC: The Medical Device Tax Threatens High-Paying Jobs

A new 2.3% tax on medical devices is set to hit one of America’s most innovative industries in January. According to an Ernst & Young study, companies that make devices like MRIs, pacemakers, joint replacements, etc. will fork over $2.5 billion in new taxes in 2013. This will reduce research and development of new products and stop them from hiring more workers. This tax should be repealed.

This infographic from AdvaMed illustrates how this tax harm American medical technology companies and their workers.

Protect American jobs, defend American innovation and preserve Americans' quality of life. Tell Congress to Repeal the Medical Device Tax

Do you feel the effects of a resilient economy?

This weekend on Sunday's Meet The Press, Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner had some unexpectedly positive comments on the state of our economy. 

“The economy now is actually looking quite resilient… In manufacturing, one of the strongest periods of manufacturing revival that we've seen in almost a generation.” 

News reports that followed Geithner's comments contested his claims, noting that, "A survey shows U.S. manufacturing shrank in November to its weakest level since July 2009."

"Resilient" may not be the first word that comes to mind when we think about and almost 8% unemployment rate and the mere 27 days until our economy is in jeopardy of flying off a fiscal cliff.  

What do you think? 

Fiscal Cliff Jumpers: Will Congress Willingly Send Us Back Into a Recession?

Economic recessions have terrible consequences for families, for job creation, and for prosperity. So, why with the Great Recession just barely in the rearview mirror, and our economy still struggling to fully recover, are there some in Congress who want to jump off the fiscal cliff, sending us into another recession?

Who are these “fiscal cliff jumpers?”

Well, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) recently said:  

“If we can't get a good deal, a balanced deal that calls on the wealthy to pay their fair share, then I will absolutely continue this debate into 2013 rather than lock in a long-term deal this year...”

She’s not alone.  Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) has agreed, adding, “Murray knows what she's talking about." 

And, former DNC Chairman Howard Dean was even more explicit:

“I think we ought to go over the fiscal cliff. It's not a great alternative but the Congress is incapable of anything else. We ought to do it."

What are they thinking?

Policy experts across the spectrum have weighed in on the fiscal cliff and agree that it would have devastating economic consequences for everyone.  Congress must hear from you now. 

Send a message to Congress today and remind them of the price we’ll all pay if Congress can’t negotiate a deal to avoid the fiscal cliff before the year’s end.

Thank You for Being a Part of Our Team

Election 2012 has been many months of hard work, but we owe you a debt of gratitude, as part of our grassroots network, for being key to mobilizing the vote in support of leaders who will support job creation and ensuring that Americans were informed on the important issues during our largest and most aggressive voter education campaign in the organization’s 100-year history.

It is because of this hard work that we were able to protect a pro-enterprise majority in the House of Representatives and ensure they will serve as backstop to harmful anti-business, anti-growth policies in Congress.

In the coming weeks, we’ll hear media pundits and political analysts pour over the results, explaining what it all means.

But what is important is that soon Congress will come back from recess to a lame duck session packed with urgent matters of business, like the upcoming fiscal cliff, an immediate need to address tax reform, unsustainable entitlement programs, and massive sequestration measures set to take effect in 2013.

With their vote, Americans have tasked both parties with the responsibility to fix our economy, create jobs, and control the debt. Undoubtedly, the U.S. Chamber grassroots network will be a vocal advocate for action, accept no excuses, and demand that our new leaders step up and solve the problems that confront us.

What will remain during all of these transitions is our support for the policies that support free enterprise, and we look forward to working with you in the days ahead.

We cannot thank you enough for being a part of our team.

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween! The airwaves are heating up, and  we're down to the wire for Election 2012.  Visit VoteForJobs2012.com to cut through the clutter and see where your candidates stand on the important issues.

The Final Ingredient

For many months, you’ve stood with us to create the largest voter education and grassroots mobilization program in the Chamber’s 100-year history, carrying the message that economic growth and a strong free enterprise system are fundamental to creating jobs, prosperity, and opportunity for all.

Now with Election Day almost upon us, the success of these efforts rests on one remaining essential ingredient—making sure that those who support and believe in this economic freedom turn out to vote in this critical election.

We’re highlighting exactly what’s at stake in our new Get Out the Vote video released today.

The only way out of the problems we face is to drive economic growth from one end of this country to the other.

By voting this Election Day, you have the opportunity to help build a jobs and growth agenda for America that is rooted in free markets, less government, lower taxes, and free trade. It's time to stop punishing success and promote opportunity for all.

Visit www.VoteForJobs2012.com to watch our new video.

I hope you’ll take a moment to share this important message with your friends and family.

With strong free enterprise support in Congress, we can put the economic struggles of recent years behind us and create a new era of jobs, prosperity, and hope for our future.

It starts with American voting for jobs. And it starts with you this November 6th.

Introducing VoteforJobs2012.com: Resources for the Final Sprint to November

With 36 days until November 6, we’ve laid the groundwork to educate voters on the issues that will lead our economic recovery.

Now, we must turn to the ground game.

As U.S. Chamber President and CEO, Tom Donohue, said:

“Voting is a right and a responsibility, and Americans need to know where the candidates stand. We are working harder than ever to make sure voters in every state, district, and precinct know which candidates have a record of fighting for pro-growth policies that will revitalize our economy and put Americans back to work.”

The candidates elected this November will determine the course of our economy for decades to come. So what can you do to ensure our country’s best days are ahead of us? 

To help you cut through the clutter and find out where the candidates stand on issues that matter to you, we’re launching the U.S. Chamber’s online election portal, VoteForJobs2012.com.

VoteForJobs2012.com features:

• A map of spotlighted  House and Senate races critical to this election cycle, comparing candidates on recent polling, voting records and positions on policies that will create jobs and support free enterprise;
• Ways for you to get involved, including campaign office contact, op-ed templates, and get-out-the-vote materials;
• The most recent and relevant election related news, polling, and resources; and
• Important voter resources where visitors can find their state’s official voter registration, polling locations, early voting information, and absentee ballot forms.

As you know, we’ve been up on the air for months with TV ads across the country highlighting the records of candidates – both good and bad. 

Our new site adds to that effort by putting the power in your hands.

Visit www.VoteforJobs2012.com to learn more, get engaged, and spread the word.

Victory in November is up to you.  Let’s finish strong.

Straight From the Source Small Businesses - Speak Out on the Fiscal Cliff

Constituents are furious about Congress’ inaction on the upcoming fiscal cliff and what will be the biggest tax increase in American history. But it’s not the political leaders who stand to lose if we don’t solve this problem before January 1st, 2013.

Experts have predicted failure to act on this impending crisis will result in a deep recession, which would certainly take a devastating toll on the job creators and innovators that make up America’s small businesses community.

In this week’s Tax Fact of the Week, we’re going straight to the source — we’re going straight to the job creators who are running successful small businesses, to hear what they have to say about the fiscal cliff.

Visit the Fiscal Cliff Countdown now to hear firsthand what the fiscal cliff would mean for small businesses.

Tell Congress to act now.

An Infusion of Leadership in Congress

There's no shortage of problems facing our country:  Our ever-growing debt, an unemployment rate stuck at over 8 percent, and the looming Fiscal Cliff.

Fixing these problems is going to take real leaders who will take decisive action to get our economy back on track.

Leaders, such as:

Montana: Denny Rehberg

Following last week’s disappointing jobs numbers still fresh in our minds, it’s more important than ever to have leaders who know that free enterprise not more government is the solution to our country’s stalled employment rate. Denny has fought to remove government barriers and allow the private sector to lead, including supporting the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. In the U.S. Senate, Denny Rehberg would fight for a true “all-of-the-above” energy policy that would help us secure our energy future and bring down the cost of energy for consumers and business.

That will help empower American job creation — and it’s the type of common sense approach that Denny Rehberg will fight for as a U.S. Senator.

Massachusetts: Scott Brown

Massachusetts small businesses know they have an advocate on their side in U.S. Senator Scott Brown.  He was a leading voice against the President’s health care law because of its massive expansion of government and flurry of new mandates and taxes.  As a member of the Small Business Committee, Senator Brown is one of the most independent voices in Congress, fighting for Massachusetts job creators.

Be sure to check out all of the videos in our landmark 2012 voter education program and find out how you can get involved in the final weeks leading up to the November 6.

Congress Is Back And Ready For...Inaction?

There’s little denying that this 112th Congress has been one of the most unproductive in recent memory—which may   help explain their 10% approval rating in Gallup’s most recent poll.

With 112 days remaining until we hit the Fiscal Cliff, Congress’ track record doesn’t bode well for decisive action coming before the November elections.  In fact, in a recent Reuter’s article, one senatorial staffer conceded as much in admitting the “norm” for Congress in an election year:

"Everyone wants to get out of town -- fast," said a top Senate aide, voicing the sentiment on both sides of the political aisle.

That may be the “norm,” but with America starting at a certain recession if Congress fails to act, this is hardly a normal year:

The most urgent item -- making sure Congress does not trigger a recession early next year -- is by all accounts on hold until after the election, when lawmakers will attempt to head off trouble of their own making: tax increases and automatic spending cuts that threaten to send the United States over what's been called "a fiscal cliff." 

On hold until after the election? 

We recently asked you in a blog poll what the top priority should be for Congress when they return from their August recess.  

More than three-quarters (76%) of you said that solving the Fiscal Cliff crisis was priority #1.  We couldn’t agree more.

Our economy can’t wait until after the election. Jobs can’t wait until after the election.  Growth and prosperity can’t wait until after the election.

Solving the Fiscal Cliff crisis can’t wait until after the election.  We need Congress to show some leadership and act now.

Unfinished Business: What Should Be Congress’ Top Priority When Returning from Recess?

When Congress left Washington to head home for their August recess, they left a lot of issues on the table, still unaddressed.

FreeEnterprise.com has listed the top 5 unresolved issues still facing Congress when they return.

Vote below in our poll for one of the top 5 issues we’re focused on, or enter your own top priority on the box below:

If the fiscal cliff is your top concern, as it is for many Americans and job creators, learn more and take action to urge immediate Congressional action at our Fiscal Cliff Countdown site.

Thank you for voting!

What will happen to our economy? Examining a Study by the American Action Forum

Between the daily headlines and our weekly Tax Facts of the Week, you undoubtedly know by now that the Fiscal Cliff must be stopped to prevent a near-guaranteed recession.

But what are others saying?

In this week’s Tax Fact of the Week, Caroline Harris, the U.S. Chamber’s Chief Tax Counsel, shares a study from the American Action Forum to illustrate what will happen to the economy around us if Congress fails to act before January 1st, 2013:

Visit The Fiscal Cliff Countdown web site today to learn more and tell Congress that there’s no time to waste.

Is it too late to avoid a recession?

The Long and Short of the Fiscal Cliff

As Congress continues to play “chicken” with the Fiscal Cliff, the business community is experiencing a tremendous amount of uncertainty caused by the unknown impact of the impending tax hikes and sequestration cuts.

So, even if Congress acts to avoid the Fiscal Cliff before the January 1 deadline, is it too late to avoid another recession? 

In this week’s Tax Fact of the Week, the Chamber’s Chief Economist, Dr. Martin Regalia, tells us the immediate and long-term implications of our country’s fiscal dilemma.

We’re staring down the largest tax increase in American history if Congress doesn’t act.

Click here to visit The Fiscal Cliff Countdown and tell Congress to act now to head off this problem before it’s too late.

The U.S. Chamber Endorses Charlie Summers for U.S. Senate

Earlier this week, the U.S. Chamber spent the day traveling the state of Maine with U.S. Senate candidate Charlie Summers, meeting with small business owners discussing his plan to help entrepreneurs, innovators, and job creators.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Charlie for U.S. Senate because, as someone who grew up working in his family’s business, he understands the challenges that job creators face.

Senate races around the country like Maine's, will determine whether we have a pro-business Senate and the course of our country for decades to come. Check out the video from this week's event where Charlie will tells the citizens of Maine that it’s the free-market system, not the federal government, that will power America’s economic recovery.

Retirees and the Fiscal Cliff

Trouble is Brewing for Hardworking Americans Saving for their Futures.

If there’s one thing that the Tax Facts of the Week have outlined, it's that allowing our economy to go off the fiscal cliff this January will be dire for all Americans. 

But it's also worth noting how this economic boiling point will affect various groups differently.  A few weeks back we examined how the rising tax rates and sequestration cuts would impact small businesses.

This week we ask: how will the fiscal cliff's increase of capital gains and dividend rates impact retiring Americans and those saving for their futures?

We need Congress to act now to prevent the largest tax increase in American history.

Visit the Fiscal Cliff Countdown and tell Congress not to delay and act now.

Failing American Free Enterprise

There are less than 3 months left until voters head to the polls with an opportunity to vote for jobs and American free enterprise.  And while a number of candidates for running for office clearly embrace the power of free enterprise, there are unfortunately those that believe that more government is the solution, not the problem.

Our economy is suffering, and voters need to know where their candidates on issues vital to our economic recovery. 

People such as…

Ohio: Sen. Sherrod Brown

For Sherrod Brown, it doesn’t matter what the question is, because the answer is always the same: more government. Brown was a key vote that allowed Obamacare to pass into law.  As a result, we’ll have higher taxes, crushing burdens on businesses, and unaffordable costs of upwards of $1 trillion. And while energy prices were on the rise, Brown voted for less energy exploration.

Sherrod Brown: Supporting big government at every turn.

Wisconsin: Rep. Tammy Baldwin

Why is Tammy Baldwin voting to make it more difficult for us to recover from the great recession? She voted for new regulations that will strangle small businesses instead of empowering them to lead our recovery. And she fought vigorously in support of the President’s health care law, a policy that will mean lost jobs and impose crushing new taxes and burdens on Americans and businesses.

We need leaders in Washington who create conditions for businesses to grow, not stifle them with anti-growth policies.

Virginia: Tim Kaine

With unemployment still over 8%, we need policies that will create new American jobs.  But Tim Kaine seems to think we need more big government. Kaine supported billions in new taxes on Virginians, to increase burdensome regulations on businesses, and supported policies that would have increased energy costs for families.  And, he’s still defending Obamacare, even as it’s set to cost Americans more than $1 trillion dollars, with the majority of Americans opposing it. 

It’s American business that will lead the economic recovery.  Not Tim Kaine and his big government policies.

Cick here to view all of the ads in our voter education program, and be sure to leave us a comment to let us know what you think.

The Numbers that Matter

151 Days – the countdown continues. 

You can’t argue with the facts – and with your help, we’re getting the facts straight as it relates to the impending Fiscal Cliff.

Politicians in Washington have focused on the fact that only 2 to 3 percent of taxpayers will be impacted by the expiration of the 2001 and 2003 tax rates for higher income earners.

But that’s not the point. The point is that thousands of businesses, and the jobs they create, will be threatened. 53% of small business income would be hit by higher taxes if rates on sucessful small businesses are allowed to rise. 

Watch our Chief Tax Policy Counsel, Caroline Harris, outline why the percentage of taxpayers doesn’t matter as much as the disruption to business does.

Job creators need to know what their tax rates will be in order to have certainty and make the investments necessary to keep our economy growing.

Find out why Congress must act before it’s too late.

Bruce Josten: Expiration of Tax Cuts Would Push Economy Over the Cliff

Congress has 153 days. 

Unless Congress acts in time, on January 1st, 2013 American families and businesses will be facing a tsunami of tax increases – a phenomenon many are calling our nation’s Fiscal Cliff. 

Last week, in newspapers across the country, the U.S. Chamber’s Executive VP of Government Affairs, Bruce Josten explained just how damaging it will be if Congress fails to extend the current tax rates, one aspect of this economic predicament:

If the 2001 and 2003 tax rates are allowed to expire at midnight on Dec. 31, we'll witness the largest single tax hike in U.S. history — hitting American taxpayers with $400 billion in new taxes in the first year and $4.5 trillion over the next decade.

Bruce goes on to explain:

•Marginal tax rates will rise, as well as dividends and capital gains taxes. This will squarely hit taxpayers — ranging from the investors who pour capital into job creation to retirees and workers planning for retirement.

•The estate tax will come roaring back to 55 percent, and the exemption threshold will dip from $5 million estates to $1 million -- threatening the livelihood of many small businesses and family farms. 

•In addition to the 2001 and 2003 tax rates, relief from the alternative minimum tax will lapse, along with many vital business tax provisions.

And, despite the political rhetoric from those opposing extension of the tax rates, it’s not just the “wealthy” that will be hit.  Almost a million successful small and family-owned businesses that file their taxes as pass-through entities will get swept up in the tax hike.

That will mean an increase in the top tax rate from 35 percent to 45 percent for many of these job creators, and that’s not all.  On the same day, $1.2 trillion in automatic and untargeted budget cuts are scheduled to take effect.

Bruce notes:

The ill-designed, across-the-board discretionary spending cuts -- a result of the failed Deficit Supercommittee -- were never intended to take effect. If they do, they will disproportionately cut $500 billion in military spending. What's worse, they will fail to address the real drivers of runaway spending -- massive and growing entitlement programs.

Many economists warn that this dangerous combination of tax hikes and spending cuts, dubbed "the fiscal cliff" in Washington, could drag our economy back into a recession.

Read Bruce’s full op-ed online.

The consequences will be severe, but it’s not unstoppable.

Visit the Fiscal Cliff Countdown and urge your members of Congress to act now. 

Update: Senate Approves Democrat Plan, Rejects Republican Plan to Extend all Bush Tax Cuts

 Last week we learned that failure to prevent the ‘fiscal cliff’ could cost millions of America jobs.  So why are some politicians advocating for just that?

Here they are in their own words:

"Let's just go over the fiscal cliff.  Everybody's going to bite the bullet. The Republicans are going to hate the taxes and the Democrats are going to hate some of the cuts, but it's going to have to happen." – Howard Dean, DNC Chairman, MSNBC’s Squawk Box, 7/23/12

“If we can’t get a good deal, a balanced deal that calls on the wealthy to pay their fair share, then I will absolutely continue this debate into 2013. And I think my party, and the American people, will support that.” – Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Speech to the Brookings Institute, 7/16/12

Yesterday, the Senate voted on  how to proceed on extending the current tax 2001 and 2003 rates, also known as the Bush-era tax rates. 

The Senate approved the Democratic plan to allow taxes to raise on those making $250,000 or more. The Senate did not approve the Republican plan of allowing an extention of all the Bush-era tax cuts.  

Jeopardizing millions of jobs and economic ruin for political gain isn’t just bad politics, it’s reckless. Send a message to your members of Congress and urge them to do what’s necessary to keep our economy from flying off of the fiscal cliff. 

It’s time to put the financial security of our country and generations to come ahead of career politicians.

Will It Really Be That Bad?

With each day that Congress doesn’t act, we inch closer and closer the brink of our economic fiscal cliff.

As of today, we’re 165 days away if Congress fails to act. 

Last week, we explained why we’re in this economic predicament, outlined how many different taxes are set to increase, and by how much.

So, now that you know where we’re heading, you might be asking yourself:
 

Click here to get the answers.

Reports have warned that further stress on our already fragile economy could be devastating.  According to a recent study:

U.S. economy could lose from 2.8 million jobs to as much as 10 million jobs...[R]eaching the fiscal cliff will decrease the likelihood that small businesses will hire by 18 percent, and push the effective marginal tax rate for many workers and small businesses above 50 percent of their income.

Visit our Fiscal Cliff Countdown to learn more and urge Congress to act before it’s too late.

Even Congress can’t argue with the facts. 

It's Time for a Fresh Start on Health Care Reform

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives will vote on H.R. 6079, The Repeal of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, to repeal the massive 2010 health care overhaul most commonly known as Obamacare. 

Because this will be the first health care vote since the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold the law, and is only the second time that the House will have voted on full repeal, today’s vote is an important one. 

Dodging the Fiscal Cliff

The impending “Fiscal Cliff” our country faces will impose about $600 billion in automatic spending cuts and tax increases on the economy in 2013 unless Congress acts to avert a completely self-made crisis.

The so called “Fiscal Cliff” is comprised of several major components, all coming to a head at the same time:

The Fiscal Cliff Looms Large

Some are calling it the “Fiscal Cliff.” Others refer to it as “Taxmageddon.”

Whatever you call it, the expiration of the 2001 and 2003 tax rates coupled with sequestration cuts in 2013 could very well drive our fragile economy back into a recession. 

Congress must act now to prevent the largest tax increases in American history from taking effect next year, as well as enact fundamental tax and spending reform that will drive American competitiveness and growth in the long term. 

In addition to extending the 2001 and 2003 tax rates (including current marginal rates, dividend and capital gains rates, and estate tax relief), Congress must extend vital expired and expiring business tax provisions, and provide alternative minimum tax (AMT) relief.

What are the consequences if they don’t?

As the Financial Times says:

If Congress fails to pass new legislation by December 31, it would trigger a fiscal tightening of $600bn in 2013 in the world’s largest economy, probably tipping it into recession in the first half of the year.

The drag would come mainly from the expiration of more than $300bn Bush-era tax rates, as well as the impact of $100bn in automatic spending cuts to domestic and defense spending. Other tax breaks would also expire, including a payroll tax cut worth $120bn. Soon after, in early 2013, the US is expected to hit its borrowing limit again, which could worsen the picture by adding the spectre of default and a financial crisis.

Click here to email your Members of Congress and tell them to act now to prevent looming tax hikes and to address long term comprehensive reforms.

To really take a stand, click here to give your testimony on how the current tax uncertainty is affecting your business' ability to grow and hire. These stories will be shared with members of Congress to underscore the importance of their action. 

With your help, we can save stop our economy from going off the fiscal cliff next year. 

Will the EPA Turn Off Your Air Conditioner?

 Within the next week, the U.S. Senate will likely vote on S.J. Res 37, a Resolution of Disapproval of the EPA’s job-killing Utility MACT rule.  This is likely the last chance we have to derail this centerpiece of the EPA regulatory overreach that is already costing American jobs, while further preventing the economic recovery our nation still craves.  

Earlier this month, we told you about the significant costs that the EPA’s Utility MACT rule is already imposing upon electric utilities and electric consumers – like you and me – across our nation.  

In advance of the rule’s start date, more than 25,000 megawatts of affordable coal generation will be retired due to EPA air rules for electric power plants.  That's enough lost generation to furnish electricity for more than 22 million households. Tens of thousands of workers could lose their jobs and millions of consumers will be paying higher electricity bills as a result of the EPA’s overbearing regulations.

Well, another week brings more bad news for jobs, affordable energy, and the basic need for a reliable electric supply to support economic development.  The North American Electric Reliability Corporation, which oversees America’s electric grid, now projects that interruptions in electric service may occur in both Southern California and Texas this summer.  In addition, New England is subject to proactive measures in an attempt to maintain reliable electric service in that region.  Now is NOT the time to turn off more generation when we are already running short.  

We need your help NOW to prevent the EPA from turning potential electricity shortages today into power outages – and higher electricity rates – tomorrow.  

Click HERE to write your Senator to ask your member to stand with his/her constituents in support of American jobs and affordable, reliable electricity. 

Senate Launches Efforts to Rein in the NLRB

As you know, the NLRB has been one of the worst offenders among regulatory agencies in their efforts to push an extreme anti-employer, anti-employee agenda and making it more difficult for businesses to create new jobs, start or expand operations, and contribute to economic growth.

One example is the NRLB’s ‘Ambush Elections Rule,’ which would dramatically shorten the time period for union elections, giving employers inadequate time to respond and undermining their free speech. It’s been threatened that the rule could go so far as mandate employers turn over personal information — like phone numbers and email addresses — to Big Labor organizers.

Another threat is the NRLB’s Specialty Healthcare decision, which would toss decades of precedents and allow Big Labor to unionize small portions of a workforce, called micro-unions.  That means Big Labor would no longer need to win a majority of workers, and can instead organize small pockets of support. 

This Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee will vote on amendments aimed at reining in the NLRB and regulations that harm America’s competitiveness.These rules and regulations seek to tilt the paying field and fix the game in favor of Big Labor. 

However, efforts to reverse these dangerous rulings have been passed in the House. Now is the time for the Senate to act. 

With your help, we can prevent the NLRB’s anti-employer rules from impacting businesses’ ability to grow, hire, and lead our economic recovery. Click here to urge your senator to vote against the threat of Big Labor and micro-unions.

Sen. McConnell Introduces Senate Resolution Honoring Chamber’s 100th Anniversary

In 2012, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is marking the 100th anniversary of our 

This week, we’re honored by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell’s introduction of a resolution in the Senate that recognizes the U.S. Chamber’s 100 year history of advocating for policies that will spur economic growth, create jobs, and increase prosperity.

As Senator McConnell noted yesterday: 

We’re grateful for Senator McConnell’s support.  And we stand very proud of our 100-year record of standing up for the American business community, entrepreneurs, and innovators.

As we embark on the next 100 years, we’re asking you to join us.  

Visit our new “Stand up for American Enterprise” application on Facebook and take a stand within your social network for the free enterprise principles that are the backbone of our country’s economy.

We hope you’ll stand with us for the future of American free enterprise.

 

Stand Up for American Enterprise!

Stand with the job creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs that drive growth.

This week, the U.S. Chamber is celebrating our 100th Anniversary -- a century of standing up in the name of American Enterprise and representing the voice of businesses across the country in Washington D. C. 

In order to properly honor the entrepreneurs, the innovators, and the small business leaders that are the drivers of our free enterprise system, we’re asking all of our friends to unite on Facebook and spread the word to STAND UP for American Enterprise.

Click the image below and sign in with Facebook to show your family and friends that you stand up for American Enterprise and the issues that are vital to its success: lowering taxes, stopping Obamacare, increasing American energy, and reining in government regulations.

The real power of this tool lies in its ability to share and spread this message right there with your Facebook network. So take a moment to click and show your friends that you care about free markets and the people and principles that make America great.

We hope you’ll stand with us.

While Congress is on Recess

Your members of Congress are home this week for their President’s Day Recess.  

The bad news is it’s another week without action on key policy items to put America back to work.

The good news is your members of Congress are back in your district and able to hear you loud and clear.

Take advantage of this opportunity to make sure your members hear from you on key agenda items left undone before they left Washington:

• Stop the NLRB Onslaught:  A new ruling from the NLRB would permit “ambush elections”, shortening the timeframe for union elections to as little as ten days.  This would give businesses very little opportunity to respond to union rhetoric or seek legal guidance, not to mention deny employees critical time to learn about the union and potential consequences of their vote.  Click here to email Congress to urge them to stop this NLRB rule. 
   
• Paving the Road to Recovery:  The current federal highway and transit bill expires on March 31st.  In order for business and commerce for function without interruption, Congress needs to pass a new bill to fund our necessary investment in transportation infrastructure.  Click here to tell your members of Congress to support the transportation reauthorizations bills.
   
• The Keystone XL Pipeline for Jobs:  President Obama’s rejection of the Keystone XL pipeline puts the future of upwards of 20,000 immediate new jobs — and likely tens of thousands more — in peril.  If Keystone isn’t approved soon, we may lose the opportunity to purchase much-needed oil from allies, Canada.  Click here to tell the White House to approve the Keystone XL Pipeline.

Congress may be on recess, but it’s time that we take action and tell Congress we expect them to get serious about these issues when they return.

We can’t afford the cost of continued Congressional inaction on the issues important to our economic recovery. 

Grassroots Toolkit: Transportation Reauthorization

This week, both the House and Senate have been considering legislation to reauthorize the federal highway and transit programs.  While there are differences between the two packages, both bills include critical programmatic reforms and represent important investments in infrastructure around the country.  

The time is now to make sure Congress gets the job done – and we’ve outlined different steps you can take to encourage them to do so.  With the expiration of current law looming on March 31st, both the House (H.R. 7) and the Senate (S. 1813) need to pass bills and quickly move to conference so that a bill can be finished by March 31st.

This Week— Contact your members of Congress TODAY and tell them to Make Transportation Job Number One and pass a federal highway and transit bill! 

Here are some tools to help:

• Understand the basics; here is a quick guide to the issues.
• Contact your members of Congress and ask them to pass bills out of the House and Senate via email or phone (202-224-3121). 

Spread the word to employees, colleagues, friends and family: 

• Share this e-mail to your friends, family and colleagues
• Pass along the Chamber-led ATM coalition ads now airing on TV and radio

Next Week—February 20-24—Get some face time by meeting with your members!

Next week is Congress’ President’s Day Recess Work Period. Your Senators and Representatives will be at home connecting with you—their constituents—so ask for time on their calendars during office hours, attend public meetings that they’ve arranged, or offer to give them a tour of your business and talk to your employees who are affected by transportation investment.  Click here for more details on how to set up a meeting with your members, and here are some talking points to help guide your discussion.

A Bad Case of Budget Déjà Vu

Haven't we seen this before?

We're talking, about the president's 2013 budget proposal, released earlier this week -- as well as the U.S. Treasury's Greenbook, which highlights the president's tax proposals.

The President is calling for increases in the top marginal tax rates, reduction or elimination of itemized deductions, and higher taxes on growth-stimulating investment.

No meaningful tax reform. Higher taxes.

Add to that the spending increases in the proposed budget and you get a serious case of déjà vu.

In the fragile economy, the last thing our job creators need is to be saddled with higher taxes.  

The general rule is what you tax, you get less of.  And so, in increasing taxes on work, productivity, saving, and investment even more, the sad result will be less work, less productivity, less saving, and less investment.

Further, rather than seeking to make the tax code more conducive to economic growth, President Obama puts an even greater reliance on using the tax code to raise revenue.  He calls for the double taxation of profits American worldwide companies earn abroad, and $41 billion in tax hikes on job-creating traditional energy producers.

American employers, families and workers are suffering under a complex tax code that costs billions each year in compliance costs.  There’s never been a better time than now for serious proposals that lessen and simplify the tax burdens on millions of Americans.

But from the White House, it’s just déjà vu all over again. 

Read more in this article, where Caroline Harris, the U.S. Chamber’s Chief Tax Counsel, tells the McClatchy that, “there is something there to dislike for everyone."

Running From Our Economic Shadow

You might remember Phil Connors as Bill Murray’s TV weatherman character in the classic comedy film, Groundhog Day.  In the movie, the cynical and jaded Connors wakes up, over and over and over again, to relive the same day — Groundhog Day.

It’s only when Connors sheds his cynicism and begins to reexamine his life and his priorities that he finally ceases repeating Groundhog Day and moves on with a better life.

Connors’ frustrations seem unfortunately familiar lately as we’ve been living our own Groundhog Day lately, waking up to the same frustrating economic news, day in and day out.

But, taking hint from Connors’ redemption, we hope that soon the politicians in Washington will begin to reexamine their policies and their priorities.  We hope they’ll begin to remove the excessive burdens on businesses.  We hope they’ll come to their senses on the Keystone XL pipeline so we can create new American jobs and help secure America’s energy future. We hope they’ll begin to embrace a real jobs agenda that promotes economic growth and prosperity for all.

What do you think Congress should to so that we can stop waking up each morning the relive our own bad economic Groundhog Day?

State of the Union: More Government or Free Enterprise?

If you watched the president’s State of the Union address last night, you witnessed a speech that focused on many issues central to our economy. Unfortunately, he missed the mark. As U.S. Chamber President Tom Donohue said after the speech:

"Too many of the solutions he proposed rest on higher taxes, more spending, and an avalanche of new regulations. The way to create the jobs Americans need is to grow our free enterprise economy, not to further expand the federal government."

We’re ready to work with anyone in Congress or the White House on solutions that will put Americans back to work without raising taxes or adding to the deficit. Read the Chamber’s jobs plan here.

It’s possible. And it’s time to demand real solutions.

Please leave a comment below and share your thoughts on the president’s speech. You can also join us on Twitter for a national conversation taking place now.

Unclogging the Jobs Agenda

As we begin 2012, the American economy is stalled in too many ways.  Unemployment remains high, economic growth is sluggish and the big hand of federal government looms large.

Washington continues to stand in the way of job creation, economic growth and prosperity.

For their part, the U.S. House of Representatives has worked to provide relief from this stifling environment.  The House has passed 24 different pieces of legislation that seek to expand free trade, aid in capitalizing business ventures, expand energy production and development, reduce the regulatory and tax burdens on business, and reign in out-of-control government agencies like the National Labor Relations Board and the Environmental Protection Agency.  

Only two of these — repeal of the 1099 reporting mandate included in Obamacare and repeal of the 3% withholding tax mandate — have become law.

The remaining 22 bills have two things in common:  Each of these measures would go a long way to getting the American economy growing again.  And, all of them have stalled in the United States Senate.

You can go here to view our full chart highlighting these bills that have passed the House only to remain untouched by the Senate.

 

2011 A Year in Grassroots

The Growing Backlog of Jobs Bills in Congress

This session, the House has passed more than 25 bipartisan pieces of legislation that will create jobs. However, they’re stalled in the Senate awaiting action before a single new job will be created.  

Check out this “Jobs Tracker” resource that House Majority Leader Cantor’s office compiled including content and status of each jobs bill passed thus far in the 112th House of Representatives .   You’ll notice many red “stuck in the Senate” signs flashing.  Talk about a backlog.

These are bills aimed at things that will help to get our economy moving again like empowering small businesses, increasing competitiveness for American manufacturers and helping to reform our increasing domestic energy resources.  Many of these bills track closely with the recommendations of the U.S. Chamber’s six-point jobs plan. 

This is a significant reason the upcoming 2012 election will be so important.  We need elected officials who are willing to stand for jobs and pass the legislation needed to get our economy going again. Learn more about our efforts leading up to November 2012 and watch the ads currently running in important battleground states. 

Two Weeks Until Super Committee Deadline

T-minus two weeks until the Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction deadline to produce $1.2 trillion in deficit savings. 

Yesterday, the Chamber's Executive Vice President for Government Affairs, Bruce Josten, spoke with Reuters correspondent, Thomas Ferraro, about the threat of automatic cuts  and the need to  fundamentally set a new course on restructuring entitlement programs. 

The decisions made by the twelve members of the Super Committee will impact every business and every individual in America. Visit the Super Committee website today to hold the members accountable

Pelosi, Unplugged: Boeing Should Unionize or Say Bye-Bye to New Plant, New Jobs

It’s no secret that the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has been the poster child of overreach and overregulation from the federal government. This unelected board of bureaucrats has issued ruling after ruling that overtly seeks to benefit Big Labor at the expense of American employers.

When The Boeing Company wanted to open a new plant — with upwards of 1,000 new jobs — in South Carolina, the NLRB sued to stop it, because the jobs would be non-union (South Carolina is a “Right to Work” state.)  

If you’re like us, you agree that this NLRB decision is an egregious abuse of power that threatens American jobs..    But,  if you’re like Rep. Nancy Pelosi, you think the NLRB decision was right — and that Boeing should simply unionize ... or not build its new plant.

Believe it or not, that’s exactly what Congresswoman Pelosi told CNBC’s Maria Bartiromo in this recent interview:

What do you think of Pelosi’s comments?  Log in and leave your comments, or share your ideas with us on Twitter @USChamberAction.

Ghouls, Goblins and Government Regulation

The Mic is Now Open ... for American Small Business Owners

It’s understandable that American small business owners feel like their concerns aren’t being heard.

According to the results of our past few Small Business Outlook Surveys, they’ve been asking for federal government to get out of their way ...yet the federal government has 

However, recently, one government agency has taken a step in the right direction. This week the U.S. House Small Business Committee launched their new website, Small Biz Open Mic, providing a platform for small businesses to share their story and an outlet where they know their voice matters. done the exact opposite

Introducing Friends of the U.S. Chamber's New Super Committee Site

With stagnant job growth over the last two years, an uncontrollable deficit and entitlement programs that will bankrupt our country if unaddressed – the future of our country hangs in the balance.

The Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction, also known as the Super Committee could be a game changer.

 

With Congress unable to overcome its partisan stalemate, these 12 members have been tasked with the near impossible – find a common ground and cut trillions in spending to improve our fiscal health moving forward.

This is no easy task and one that will require the participation of all American citizens to ensure the committee uses this opportunity to cut spending and establish a path for entitlements and the tax code moving forward.

Our recently launched site is dedicated to giving you a voice in the debate that will shape our future and the future for generations to come.

As you’ll see, we make it easy for you to contact the committee members — and all members of Congress, as well as follow news about the committee’s progress.

The site also provides tools for you to urge elected officials to set the country on a sustainable path to deficit reduction without undermining its long term competitiveness.

This path includes meaningful entitlement reform and comprehensive tax reform that promotes, rather than hinders, American economic growth and competitiveness.

Visit our site and engage with the Super Committee today.

Few times in history have such a small group of lawmakers held the fate of our economy in the balance -- it’s up to you to hold them accountable.

We hope you’ll visit our new site today, and spread the word about this important initiative. 

Let's Talk Jobs: White House Office Hours on Twitter

Is the White House listening to your thoughts on jobs?  Tonight and tomorrow the White House will be holding Office Hours on Twitter, and we’ll be keeping an eye on the following events to ask the @WhiteHouse about their plans to put America back to work. 

Tuesday, September 13 at 5:30 p.m. EDT: David Plouffe, senior advisor to the president  answering your questions on Twitter during White House Office Hours using the hashtag #WHChat. 

Wednesday, September 14th at 4:00 p.m. EDT: White House Office Hours with Brian Deese, Deputy Director of the National Economic council. 

We hope you’ll join us in supporting the Chamber's six-point plan to spur economic growth in the private sector without adding to the deficit. Join in on the action by  following and retweeting  @USChamber and @USCCMiller during these times.

Are Your Members of Congress Talking About Jobs?

No new net jobs in August.  That's the bottom line from the national jobs report released on Friday.  

With more than 25 million people unemployed or underemployed, we need a plan to get America back to work. 

Has your Member of Congress proposed a plan? 

Click here to find out and communicate with your members of Congress on Facebook.

 

According to a recent survey of congressional staffers, 2/3 of those surveyed think Facebook is an important way to understand constituents’ views. 

With the President’s speech on jobs later this week and many members of Congress introducing their own plans, visit Facebook to see what’s being discussed in your community.  If you're looking for six ways they can take action now without adding to the deficit or increasing the size of government, feel free to post a link to the Chamber's jobs plan on your members' pages.

With Congress back in Washington, let’s use every means possible to make sure their top priority is getting America back to work too.

The Unpopular Crowd

The Federal Government, Less Popular Than Every Private Business Sector 

Over the last few years, some politicians in Washington, D.C. have done their best to demonize American business and propose a policy agenda of “punishment” against these job creators.

They’ve tried to paint American employers as everything from “corporate jet owners” to tax evaders.  However, it appears their efforts have proved unsuccessful.

According to a new Gallup survey, the federal government is less popular than every other business sector in the country (heck, even lawyers are more popular than the federal government).

Take the oil and gas industry for example.  This sector has been attacked as “Big Oil” and targeted for tax hikes by the Administration and some members of Congress.  Even so, oil and gas remains more popular than their accuser.

These survey results are in similar accord with what we saw in our recent survey of American small business owners — that they trust the private sector more than the federal government to get our economy back on track.

Take a look at this Gallup graph to see exactly how federal government stacks up against 24 other business sectors:



Who’s number one on your most popular list? Who do you believe can lead the way back to prosperity? Weigh in by submitting a comment below. 

Make the Most of August Recess

It’s hard to believe that August is almost over and Congress will be back from recess in just over a week.  Hopefully, that means that most of you have been able to attend a local town hall meeting held by your member of Congress.

 
If you haven't attended on already, it’s not too late to speak out.  Visit America's Town Hall today. 

Be Heard at America's Town Hall

Before the President even signed the debt ceiling increase into law earlier this week, many members of Congress had already left town for the August recess, moving eagerly to a more popular topic: JOBS.

This August Recess, we’ve launched America’s Town Hall –an online resource to track your member’s meetings on the Twitter #TownHallTrack feed, discuss town hall sentiment on our comment map and reach out to members of Congress about your top priorities.

Creating American jobs needs to be more than a talking point – it needs to be comprehensive approach to empower small businesses and the private sector to resume hiring and growth.

So long as Congress uses job growth as a back-pocket priority – our economy will continue to stall. 

As you know, we’ve been calling for Congress to make pro-jobs policies a priority since day 1 – and unfortunately many of their policies are the problem, not the solution.  

Join us online support pro-growth policies that will remove uncertainty and hold Congress accountable during the August Recess while they’re in your district.

Visit America’s Town Hall today. 

P.S. Recent reports show that long awaited progress is being made on the pending Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea; the passage of which would result in up to 250,000 new American jobs.  Visit America’s Town Hall and urge your members to stay on top of this issue, even when they’re outside the beltway.

Default Is Not an Option -- Spread the Word

Cross-posted from Chamberpost

We have been telling you for weeks and months that defaulting on our debt is not an option – it has real, immediate, and potentially catastrophic consequences.

As Tom Donohue and Rob Nichols outlined in their joint USA Today op-ed just last week, failure to raise the debt ceiling would have calamitous results. It would halt government operations, make our debt and deficit situation worse, debase the value of the dollar and threaten its status as the world’s reserve currency, and hamper U.S. growth and job creation.

And we are going to remind you again. If Congress fails to raise the debt ceiling, there will be real impacts, for every American. Interest rates will rise for everyone – which means higher rates for American consumers and the small businesses who drive our economy. Car loans, mortgages, and business and student loans will all be more expensive.

Now, make no mistake; too much spending and the need for real entitlement reform has led to the debt crisis we’re in today. But jeopardizing our country’s credit rating and fiscal security by refusing to compromise isn’t the answer.

The result from political inaction could be devastating. Congress needs to increase the debt limit but, the debt ceiling is just the symptom; the real problem is the explosion of federal debt. 

According to new figures released by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), debt is forecasted to rise to 190 % of GDP by 2035. CBO’s annual long-term budget outlook forecasts a surge in public debt this year that will rise to 70% of GDP by the end of fiscal year 2011 compared to   62 % by the end of 2010.  Beyond the 10 year budget window, the situation deteriorates even faster. 

We need to stop this downward spiral and get America back on the right track. Click here to contact Congress now and tell them to act immediately to raise the debt ceiling and enact serious spending reforms to fix our debt crisis.

The White House and Congress face a looming August 2 deadline to resolve their differences and raise the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling. The need to raise the debt ceiling provides leverage for meaningful, long-term, bipartisan action to rein in long-term deficit spending and entitlement reform. Financial markets would be reassured and we’d avoid a potential spike in interest rates, which will only stall our struggling economy.

Click here and contact your Senators and Representative in Congress TODAY and tell them that default is unacceptable.

Chart via the Congressional Budget Office.

Where are the Jobs?

Crossposted from Chamberpost

After a less-than-impressive jobs report on Friday, the Chamber's Chief Economist, Dr. Martin Regalia, offered a pretty succinct overview of what's stalling hiring on ABC News' This Week.

While some on the economic roundtable say the threat of war and a military buildup will jumpstart the economy (huh!?), and others say businesses are only facing new regulations from the financial sector (tell that to a small business owner who's reviewing the health care law.  Or the clean energy companies looking to act on the 400+ projects that are being held up), Marty pointed out that there's "A lot of noise in the system is detracting from momentum."   It's time for Washington to strip away these distractions by moving forward with a decision to raise the debt ceiling. 

Once businesses are no longer facing this kind of concern and uncertainty, they'll be able to move forward with what they do best: expand and create jobs.

Vote Alert: Increase Energy Production and create American Jobs

Energy Prices? Jobs? Deficit?  Check, check and check!

Here at the U.S. Chamber, our business is jobs.

And, you don’t have to read a public opinion poll to know that jobs joins rising energy prices and the federal deficit crisis as the three top issues on voters minds these days.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have some legislation that dealt with all three issues at one time?

Consider your wish granted.  The House is set to vote today on two bills — H.R. 1229 and H.R. 1230 — aimed at increasing energy production and creating American jobs.

H.R. 1229 would help put residents of the Gulf Coast back to work through offshore drilling, and H.R. 1230 would enable the U.S. to produce more domestic energy in areas barred for energy production under government moratoria.

And, as The Hill reports, H.R. 1230 would also help reduce our federal deficit:

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) on Friday released an estimate that said H.R. 1230, the "Restarting American Offshore Leasing Now Act," would bring in an estimated $40 million in revenues over the next decade, and would cost just $2 million to implement.

More energy production and jobs.  Lower deficit and energy prices. 

Sounds like a win-win to us.

Encourage your  members of Congress do the right thing by voting “YES” on these two bills today.

The Townhall Trend: Rising Gas Prices.

Thanks to those of you who both attended Townhalls while your members of Congress were home and shared what’s being said, what’s going on, and how you're involved.

From everything to small business owners forced to lay off employees because of increasing energy costs and attack ads against members of Congress willing to stand up to the EPA’s unilateral regulation of greenhouse gases – we heard a wide range of important issues.

One of the common concerns was over raising gas prices – an issue we will continue to weigh in on in the days ahead. At the U.S. Chamber, we recognize that increasing domestic drilling is one of the easiest and quickest fixes to this impending crisis. Urge your members of Congress to stop the de facto drilling moratorium and do more to increase access to domestic resources.

To hear more about what our allies across the country are hearing, read the full responses below.

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From my conversations with contractors, non-profit organizations, city, county and state officials, everyone is worried about current issues in the economy and understand there needs to be something done to curb the national debt. The price of fuel has already caused loss of disposable income. This in turn means that they are going to focus on essentials of life, food, roof over their head, which has taken a major hit in value, getting to and from work. …We have neglected our infrastructure for so long that it now cost millions more to correct the neglect and short sightedness on our roads and designs for the future transportation needs. Taking steps to rehabilitate distressed properties should continue. It prevents loss of property values for other properties and it puts people to work who in turn pay taxes instead of drawing on taxes for the unemployed. I believe these renovations should require them to incorporate better energy efficiency, which in turn will reduce our needs for foreign oil and safeguard our environment into the future and allow our lower income person(s) to have affordable housing. Every time the cost of fuel goes up, I loose in profit. I have already had to let 3 persons go or reduce their hours. This will likely continue unless the housing and building industry turns around.
-  Greg, Cambridge, MN

Something needs to be done about the ridiculous fuel prices! The hard working common person cannot afford the impending $5.00 per gallon price and its repercussions! We need our government to step in to stop the price hike or our country will no longer flourish as we know it now. I personally am strapped financially and this puts a major burden on my finances. I need to go to work... but can't afford the fuel! A vicious cycle... Help! – Laurie, Pennsburg, PA

Anyone who votes to NOT raise the debt limit and to put this nation in default will jeopardize my entire life-savings, my stocks and bonds and everything I have worked like a dog for all my life. That could change Obama's slow recovery directly into a great depression with 30% unemployment and a great deal of suffering for a generation. I could NEVER forgive anyone who did that. – Richard, Denver, CO

Fred Upton is my representative and, because of his chairmanship of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, he is being bombarded in print, radio and TV for "gutting the Clean Air Act." College students are going house-to-house with petitions that enable signers to indicate their disapproval of Fred supporting "dirty air" legislation. And Fred usually finds protesters awaiting his arrival at publicized public meetings. I attended five meetings in the last three days where Fred was present. He handled himself very well, responding to questions. He seems to be getting used to having a target on his chest. Unfortunately, I did not take my camera to any of these sessions. One meeting was hosted by the Kalamazoo Chamber and featured Fred along with one of your energy experts, Karen Harbert.
 – John, West Scotts, MI

[My Congressman]praised unions, bashed efforts in Columbus, Ohio to reduce public union bargaining powers and said unions work in the public and private sectors. – Tim, New Carlisle, OH

Senator Tom Cole (Oklahoma) held a town meeting in Moore, OK. He gave us an update on what's going on in DC. Various citizens asked questions regarding the economy, gas prices, Real Estate, Veterans' care, our growing national debt among other items. He was very informative and pledged to keep fighting for better days for our great nation. – Victor, Oklahoma City