Friends of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Ann Callis Announces Run in IL-13

The Real Story of the U.S. Chamber’s 2012 Political Efforts

A number of recent stories have come out about the U.S. Chamber’s 2012 political record, citing biased and inaccurate data and a very limited view of the program. The full story requires a more thorough look.

The goal of the U.S. Chamber’s political program is to support candidates who will advance policies that promote free enterprise in Congress. During the 2012 cycle, we launched our voter education and grassroots campaign a full year out—in November of 2011—in support of incumbents with strong business records. In total, the Chamber endorsed 304 candidates and 80% were elected. We invested in the most competitive races across the country in order to educate voters on economic and business issues, launching multiple rounds of advertisements.

We also worked closely with our state and local chamber and small business members nationwide to hold more than 40 endorsement events, and made millions of contacts with pro-enterprise voters across the country.

One of the principal objectives of 2012 was to protect the 2010 gains made in the House, and we achieved that goal. Of the 40 House races we invested in, 17 candidates were elected, successfully retaining a pro-business majority in the lower chamber.  In the Senate, the results were disappointing.

In the days and months ahead, we’ll continue to advocate for policies that will allow our members to grow and create jobs. And we’ll continue to hold candidates accountable for their votes during the 2014 elections, including playing an aggressive role in primaries.

2012 was a status-quo election where the balance of power stayed the same. However, the defining narrative of the 2012 cycle was the unprecedented support we received from the U.S. Chamber’s membership nationwide, reflecting what’s at stake for the business community in the years ahead.  With their votes, Americans tasked both parties with the responsibility to fix our economy, create jobs, and control the debt. We have important work to do and we look forward to working with the 113th Congress and the administration to help address these critical national priorities.

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.

Make Your Plan to Vote On Tuesday

On Tuesday, Americans will head to the polls in one of the most important elections in our country’s history.

Let’s not leave anything to chance.

Are you ready?  Have you made your plan to vote?

Here are some helpful tools from the U.S. Chamber and VoteForJobs2012.com:

	See if you’re eligible to vote early in your state.
	Find your voting location and what time the polls open and close here.
	Make a plan and schedule to go to your polling location.
	Visit VoteForJobs2012.com to find the important races in your district.
	See how the candidates rank on the U.S. Chamber’s How They Voted Score Cards.
	Find out if any of our Featured Races are ones you’re voting in.

This election will have far-reaching consequences for our country for years — possibly even decades.  Make sure you head to the polls prepared.  

Now is the time.  On Tuesday, Vote For Jobs.

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.

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.

Why We Fight

Why We Fight

In an election as important as the one we face this year, we believe it is vital to be involved in the races that need to be won.  Since last fall, we’ve been on the ground across the country educating voters on where their candidates stand on issues that will promote growth and support the free enterprise system. Our efforts have not gone unnoticed. 

A perfect example of the difference we’re making was recently written about our efforts in Maine. 

Many in the media had written off the race for the U.S. Senate – declaring former Governor Angus King the clear and obvious winner.  

While we know no one knows this state better than the citizens of Maine, we also recognized that King’s record of billion dollar deficits and billions more in spending hurt economic growth and caused uncertainty for Maine small businesses and job creators.

We believe that Mainers deserve to know where their candidates stand on issue that will impact Maine’s future economy. 

As the Washington Post’s Marc Thiessen writes:

As Thiessen writes, our efforts have not only tightened the race, they’ve helped spread the word on Angus King’s record of dramatically increasing the size of government — and the size of Maine’s huge “billion-dollar fiscal hole.”

Whether or not you live in Maine — or any of the key Senate states this year — you will be impacted by the outcomes of these campaigns.

The outcomes will determine if we have a Congress that works to defend American Free Enterprise and allows the private sector to lead our economy or if Congress continues to stifle growth with more government.

Now we need you. 

We need advocates on the ground who support reining in wasteful spending, higher taxes, suffocating regulations, and will support the principles of our free enterprise system.

We need messengers who will tell their friends, family, and neighbors that Americans deserve leaders in Congress who will fight for policies that advance growth and conditions that allow job creators to expand, invest and most importantly, get America back to work.

Click here to sign the Fighting for Maine Jobs petition. 

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.

U.S. Chamber Calls Elizabeth Warren Greatest Threat to Free Enterprise

Click here to view the original article from NECN.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorsed Mass. Sen. Scott Brown in his re-election campaign, and its political director attacked his Democratic challenger, Elizabeth Warren.

"No other candidate in 2012 represents a greater threat to free enterprise than Professor Warren," said Rob Engstrom, U.S. Chamber's political director.

Engstrom was in Boston to endorse Brown, but his words were more focused on Warren.

"Some of the comments she's made about throwing rocks at people who disagree with her is fundamentally unacceptable to the American business community," said Engstrom. "She talks about blood and teeth on the floor - that's no way to lead."

Warren supporters say this is not an endorsement from your local, hometown civic organization. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, they say, represents big corporations and rich people working to weaken financial reforms.

But from the 100-year-old Harry Miller Textile Company in Boston's Roxbury neighborhood, Brown proudly embraced the support.

"It means a lot to get the endorsement from the world's largest pro-business organization that advocates for jobs, job creation and job growth throughout this country," said Brown.

Meanwhile, the Mass. Democratic Party released a web video saying that Brown was leaving the Boston event to head to a New York City fundraiser at the home of Mayor Michael Bloomberg - an independent who has been outspoken in his support of Wall Street.

Warren has also pointed to votes Brown took in July against extending the Bush tax cuts for those earning $250,000 or less. Brown says he wants to extend the tax cuts for all income groups.

"America's working families are on the ropes and they can't take much more and ... the Romney Ryan Brown approach is a punch in the gut to them," said Warren.

"I know that Professor Warren would love to run against Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan, but unfortunately she's running against me," said Brown.

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.

Now Tweeting: Follow Rob Engstrom for Commentary at the Intersection of Business and Politicsion of Business and Politics

As the summer months heat up, so does the U.S. Chamber's 2012 Voter Education program, and I want to make sure that you are with us every step of the way.

Follow me @RobEngstrom for updates from the road as we travel across the country to meet with voters, hear from you, and endorse pro-growth candidates. 

I'm taking to Twitter to ensure that the Friends of the U.S. Chamber are the first to know about our newly announced efforts and receive updates from events in the field. 

I'll also be sure to share what I'm watching in news and polls, as well as provide insights as to why this year's elections are so important to the business community and our country's economic health.    

I look forward to hearing from you on Twitter!

Help Us Defend Free Enterprise from Growing Government

Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber hosted its third annual Jobs Summit. Watch below as we had the pleasure of catching up with Governor Scott Walker after the event, to get his thoughts on free enterprise in America, how it has shaped the state of Wisconsin and the importance of its influence in the future of our country’s economy.

“Moderation and frugality in government leads to freedom and prosperity for our people. The reason we're the leader of the free world is because of the free enterprise system…It was the entrepreneurs, not just the innovators that got our economy going, and we need to have that happen all over again.”

Governor Walker is right. It’s small businesses and the free enterprise system that established America as an economic powerhouse, and that have created a standard of living that is the envy of the word.

The stakes are high this year as the free enterprise system has come increasingly under attack by many who believe government – not the innovation and hard work of the American people -- should solve our problems. If we’re to get our economy roaring again, we need leaders in our nation’s capitol who will embrace free enterprise, not undermine it.

With your help, we will send leaders to Washington who agree that the free enterprise system is the best bet to ensure that future generations have the same advantages and opportunities that have made America great.

Click here to become a part of our landmark 2012 Voter Education Program, and you and can help make a difference for American free enterprise in November.

2012 Voter Education and Grassroots Mobilization Campaign

Last week, the U.S. Chamber launched the latest wave of our 2012 voter education and grassroots mobilization campaign – the largest and most aggressive of its kind in the Chamber’s 100 year history.

This November, voters have the choice between more government mandated solutions or the resurgence of free enterprise, the one economic system that will allow job creators, investors and the American people to lead our economic recovery. With your help, and the help of state and local chambers of commerce, we’re working across the nation to make sure jobs are on the ballot this November.

We’re shedding light on which candidates are willing to fight for the ideals of American enterprise, and who will continue to inflict taxes, regulatory barriers and out of control spending on small businesses.

Watch the latest round of our voter education ads below.

Who Is Fighting for Jobs and Free Enterprise?

Over the last few weeks, we’ve been highlighting some of the ads that make up the U.S. Chamber’s landmark, multi-state voter education program.

Elections have consequences.  And November’s elections will have enormous consequences for job creation and our economy.  We need to be sure that we’re electing representatives who will support common-sense pro-jobs and pro-business policies that will get our struggling economy growing again.

Before voters go to the polls, we think it’s important for them to know how elected officials voted on policies that support free enterprise, and those that choose big government instead.

Today, we profile three fighters for jobs and free enterprise — Sen. Dick Luger, Rep. Frank Guinta, and Linda Lingle.

Indiana: Sen. Dick Lugar

The Keystone XL Pipeline wouldn’t just be a huge step towards securing America’s energy future and reducing our dependence on unfriendly foreign sources of oil,  allowing the Keystone XL project would also create 20,000 immediate new American jobs, and tens of thousands of more indirect jobs created from the pipeline’s construction.  That’s why Sen. Dick Lugar stood up to President Obama when the president blocked its construction.

Hoosiers have a pro-job, pro-growth advocate in the Senate, fighting for new energy jobs for Indiana.

New Hampshire: Rep. Frank Guinta

Few pieces of legislation will have as disastrous effects on our economy and on job creation as the sweeping mandates, penalties and taxes inclided ObamaCare.  That’s why Rep. Frank Guinta is fighting against the landmark 2010 health care overhaul and to repeal the most burdensome provisions on New Hampshire businesses.

Frank Guinta knows that it’s American free enterprise

—not the heavy hand of government—that will get our economy roaring again.

Hawaii: Linda Lingle

America’s tourism industry employs 7.4 million people and generates more than $700 billion in revenue each year.  In Hawaii, Linda Lingle has been a bi-partisan leader for expanding tourism and putting out the welcome mat for people to visit and enjoy all that the United States has to offer.

Linda Lingle knows that promoting greater tourism will create new jobs and help grow Hawaii’s and America’s economy.
 

You can click here to view all of the ads in our voter education program, and be sure to leave us a comment here and let us know what you think of these candidates!

Who’s for Jobs? And Who’s Just Playing Politics?

Last week, we highlighted three of our new ads that are part of our multi-state voter education campaign.  The U.S. Chamber has set out to make sure that American voters know where their candidates stand on the issue of jobs before they head to the polls to choose their next members of Congress.

We need to get our economy growing again, so voters need to know who is supporting sensible pro-growth policies and who is placing political interests ahead of smart pro-jobs solutions.

Today, we’re highlighting three more of our new ads that will let you know where Congressman Joe Heck, Senator Claire McCaskill, and Virginia’s George Allen stand on the issues.

Congressman Joe Heck   

Over-regulation is keeping businesses wrapped up in government red tape.  High taxes make it harder for businesses to expand and create new jobs.  Because Congressman Joe Heck understands this, he’s been fighting to lower taxes and rein in regulatory overreach.

The recession has hit Nevada particularly hard, and Nevada voters are fortunate to have Joe Heck fighting for sensible pro-jobs policies:



Sen. Claire McCaskill   

Obamacare will place a new load of new mandates and burdens on businesses -- and it wouldn’t have passed without the vote of Missouri Sen. Claire McCaskill.  When Missouri voters had a chance to weigh in on Obamacare in 2012, 71% voted to reject ObamaCare’s mandates. 

So, why is Claire McCaskill still supporting ObamaCare?  See what Missouri voters need to know before November:



George Allen

George Allen has a record of working to help businesses grow and create new jobs.  As a U.S. Senator, he supported tax cuts that put more money in the hands of businesses. As Governor of Virginia, he was a bi-partisan leader for cutting spending and government waste.

Virginians should know that George Allen is fighting for jobs:



To view and share all of our ads click here.  Help us ensure that when Americans go to the polls this year, they vote for jobs.

Leave a comment below to tell us what you think of these candidates.

Super Tuesday's Wake-Up Call

Voters in ten states headed to the polls yesterday for “Super Tuesday,” reminding us that this election year is in full swing. 

Yesterday's events should also provide us with a wake-up call that now is our opportunity to help bring America back and restore the role of the American Free Enterprise system.  We passionately believe that it’s time to stop apologizing for the one thing in our society that really works.

Instead of empowering business creators, Washington’s solution over the last few years has been more government. Rather than leaving businesses to do what they do best, they’re facing tax-hikes and increased regulations and mandates – only breeding more uncertainty and hesitation – not forced growth.

A lot is at stake for the future of our economy  in the upcoming House and Senate elections, and we know that we can’t sit on the sidelines. 

U.S. Chamber President, Tom Donohue was quoted online yesterday saying:

Some business adversaries would like nothing better than to silence the voice of business. That’s why you see legislative efforts to shut us out of the political process. We’re not going to let that happen. We’re going to get involved and stay engaged. We’re going to champion free enterprise and fight for policies that will revitalize our economy and put millions of Americans back to work. Pro-growth policies—such as producing more American energy and rebuilding our infrastructure, expanding trade and tourism, reforming our legal and regulatory systems, encouraging innovation, and reining in deficit spending—can help get our economy back on track.

We won’t stand idly by.

It’s up to us to ensure that these elections will guarantee that our nation’s doers, dreamers and risk takers are able to continue to create jobs and opportunity for the American people.

Click here to learn more about our historic 2012 voter education campaign, and leave a comment below to tell us -- how are you staying engaged in 2012? 

Vote for Jobs, It's That Simple

The U.S. Chamber is currently engaged in a historic, multi-state voter education campaign to ensure American voters know where their candidates stand on the issue of jobs.

Are they supporting pro-jobs policies to advance American Free Enterprise and put America back to work?

Or are they playing politics over smart policy ... blocking common sense measures that will get our economy back on track?

Today, we highlight three of our most recent ads that let voters know where Senator Sherrod Brown, Congressman Rick Berg, and Congressman. Jim Matheson stand:

Ohio: Senator Sherrod Brown

Business owners across the country cite the health care law as a major hindrance to hiring and growing their operations. In Ohio, more than 2.2 million Ohioans voted to reject Obamacare. Pretty clear message, right?

Not to Senator Sherrod Brown, who called the vote “confusing,” saying that it didn’t tell us anything. We’re airing this ad to help remind Ohio voters that it was Sherrod Brown’s vote that helped allow Obamacare to pass the Senate:



North Dakota: Congressman Rick Berg

While Sherrod Brown is voting for job-killing policies like Obamacare - North Dakota Congressman Rick Berg is championing measures to put people in his state back to work. For example, he supports the Keystone XL pipeline, which would create tens our thousands of new American jobs and help secure America’s energy future.  Berg rejected President Obama’s politically motivated decision to reject the XL Pipeline and the jobs it’ll create.  In this ad, we highlight how Rick Berg stood up for new American jobs and new American energy:



Utah: Congressman Jim Matheson

Another Congressman fighting for American free enterprise is Jim Matheson of Utah.  He understands that for businesses to create jobs, they can’t be over burdened by oppressive taxes and regulatory red tape.  Matheson has a record of voting to lower taxes on businesses and reduce government regulations so that American free enterprise can grow, innovate, and create jobs. Watch our new ad about Congressman Matheson here:

These are just a few samples of our voter education efforts that are currently underway. 

We invite you to click here to view all of our ads and learn how you can join our effort to ensure that America Votes for Jobs in 2012.

What do politicians have to do to win your love this Election Year?

It’s Valentine’s Day, and love is in the air.

Of course, politicians across American will be trying to spread the love all year long — or, at least, until November 6th.

This Valentine’s Day, we’d like to give you the opportunity to tell these politicians exactly what it would take to make you love them more.

What do politicians have to do to win your love this Election Year?

U.S. Chamber Launches New Voter Education Ads

Crossposted from FreeEnterprise.com

In an early and aggressive election year move, the U.S. Chamber launched a multistate television ad and grassroots communications blitz in 12 House Congressional Districts and in 8 states with 2012 Senate races. 

Twenty-one television ads are rolling out in 16 states and more than 40 media markets. The voter education ads draw a contrast between leaders who stand up for free enterprise and those who support big government by highlighting issues impacting job creation and economic growth.

Several of the ads note members of Congress who support repeal of President Obama’s health care law, including Reps. Mike Coffman (R - CO), Charlie Bass (R-NH), Robert Dold (R-ILL), Frank Guinta (R-NH), Jim Renacci (R-OH), Fred Upton (R-MI), Dan Lungren (R-CA), Mike Patrick (R-PA), and Sean Duffy (R-WI).

Ads highlighting Sen. Dick Lugar (R-IN) and Rep. Rick Berg (R-ND), note their support for the Keystone XL oil pipeline. In the Lugar ad, titled “Dick Lugar for Jobs,” the voiceover notes that Lugar “fights for energy jobs and energy security, even when a president gets in his way.”

Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jon Tester (D-MT), and Claire McCaskill (D-MI), Senate candidate Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Rep. Tammy Baldwin (D-RI) are singled out for their support of the health care law. The Brown ad, which is the third to run in Ohio, notes that 2.2 billion Ohioans rejected government run healthcare.

“American families deserve to know who has the courage to fight for job-creating policies in Washington and who is hurting their pocketbooks,” said U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue.  “We’re asking the public to hold members of Congress accountable for their positions on Obamacare, job-killing regulations, energy security, and a culture of wasteful spending in Washington.”

The U.S. Chamber plans to play a major role nationwide in the 2012 elections, educating voters about candidates who have demonstrated consistent support for America’s job creators and who will work to advance a pro-growth agenda in Congress and those who haven't and won’t. The Chamber seeks to capitalize on its electoral successes of 2010 with an “Advance and Protect” strategy in 2012: advance pro-business interests in the Senate and protect pro-growth gains in the House.

This is the third round of voter education ads the Chamber has run this election cycle. The previous ads included a six-state ad campaign that hit Iowa, Nevada, Pennsylvania and Washington.

The Chamber’s ads can be viewed here.

VIDEO: Free enterprise will bring America back

Last week, the U.S. Chamber launched its second round of 2012 Issue Ads in states and districts across the country.  It's all part of our largest voter eduction efforts to date - and it's only just the beginning.

These ads clearly demonstrate that the 2012 Elections will be a contest between those who believe Free Enterprise will bring America back, and those who favor Big Government.In listening to people around the country and looking at the principles our nation were founded upon, it's clear that Free Enterprise is the way to go.  

Please take a moment to view these videos and learn more about the issues affecting communities around the country.

2011 A Year in Grassroots

Happy Holidays from the U.S. Chamber

It Starts Now

It starts today.

Today, the U.S. Chamber launched our first round of voter education ads designed to highlight those leaders who have done the right things to reignite our economy and those politicians who have not.

As the L.A. Times said,

“The chamber spots are airing earlier in the campaign cycle than ever before - nine months ahead of their debut in 2008 - a sign that officials say indicates how aggressively the group intends to participate this election cycle.

"The business community has been under unprecedented threat," Rob Engstrom…said in explaining why the trade group will break its previous political spending record - $50 million - to try to elect a more business-friendly Congress.”

With the help of you, our grassroots network, we’re ramping up to conduct our largest voter education campaign in our nearly 100- year history.

The launch will air ads in 15 network and cable markets across six states, including Iowa, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Washington commending leaders who support pro-growth solutions and making voters aware where their elected officials do not.

We’ll continue to keep you updated with the top political headlines as they happen. Stay engaged here on Friends of the U.S. Chamber.

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

It Starts Now

We are almost a year out from Election Day 2012 — and our political program is already pushing full steam ahead.

With our economy on the ropes, this election year is more important than ever, and we’re dedicated to educating America’s voters about those candidates who are committed to working with us to put Americans back to work.

As you may have seen in the Wall Street Journal, with more at stake than ever, we’ve built our strongest political team to date:

Washington’s largest pro-business lobby has tapped two veteran Republican campaign strategists to run its operations for 2012: Scott Reed and Rob Engstrom. Mr. Reed, a longtime Republican Party official who managed Bob Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign, will serve as the Chamber’s overall national political strategist. Mr. Engstrom, who helped with the Chamber’s previous political operations, will serve as the day-to-day director for the Chamber’s campaign.

With your help, we’ve developed one of the strongest grassroots programs in the country. Together, we can ensure our voice is the loudest in one of the most influential elections in recent history. 

Our efforts rely on America’s job creators and grassroots activists like you to fight back against the special interests and politicians who put bigger government, more regulation and increased taxation in front of economic growth every time. 

It’s those failed policies that have led to a stagnant unemployment rate and declining standing in the global economy. 

Your immediate, online contribution will help bring our country back.

Together, we made a real difference in the 2010 Elections. Together in 2012, we’ll need to fight like our country’s future depends on it.

Because the honest truth is ... it does. 

Wisconsin Voters Show Appreciation for Real Leadership

Earlier this year, we saluted Governor Scott Walker and the majority of the Wisconsin legislature for stepping up to lead on real budget reforms meant to put their state on the path to fiscal health.

Despite reports showing the positive impact that these reforms are already having, the public sector labor unions are still seething about their passage — the impact of which weakened the unions’ iron grip on the state’s budget.

The unions tried to mount recall elections against the state senators who supported these budget reforms — but the election returns last week showed that Big Labor came up short.

Kudos to the voters of Wisconsin for turning their voices into action in support of real leadership.  We hope that the example provided by Wisconsin’s governor, legislators and voters alike can be used by lawmakers across the country — especially here in Washington — to provide bold and honest reforms to put America back to work.

To make sure that happens, it is up to you to hold your legislators accountable.  This video, taken at our recent Governors Summit, Governor Walker gave us some recommendations on how you too can get off the side lines and influence the conversation.

P.S. Want to get involved right away?  Explore America's Town Hall to speak up and stay engaged. 

Deep Dish, Thin Crust … or 9.1% Unemployment?

We understand the nature of early stage Primary Presidential politics, and the need for cable networks to do whatever they can to grab higher ratings.

That does not, however, dampen our disappointment at the dearth of discussion during last night’s GOP Presidential Debate about the most important issue facing America right now: jobs.

Yes, some air time was given to economic issues, including health care, the debt ceiling, entitlement reform, labor reform and energy policy.  Yet, it seemed that equal time was given to an attempt to “spice up” the proceedings with a “this or that” game that provided American voters insight into the candidates’ “vital positions” on such issues as soft drink choices, television viewing, pizza crust preference and late night television viewing habits.

We applaud those candidates who tried their best to direct the debate back to the issue of jobs, and hope that future debates  will reveal a more prominent focus on plans to get America back to work.

Primary voters each have their own personal issues preferences, which may be social or economic in nature,  but with our nation’s economic recovery in danger of grinding to a halt, it’s hard to imagine how Congressman Ron Paul’s smartphone preference gets more air time than the candidates’ positions on, say,  our long-delayed pending free trade agreements.

How about you?  Do you think the issue of jobs was discussed enough in last night’s debate?  Please sign in and leave your comments here to join the discussion.

Opposition On the Rise to Executive Order Limiting Free Speech

Yesterday, 88 business groups and trade associations, including the U.S. Chamber sent a letter to the President urging him not to sign an Executive Order that would require businesses to disclose their political spending as part of their bid for a federal government contract.

Following last week’s House hearing and increasing Democratic opposition, our efforts are making an impact in Congress and present an opportunity for the Administration to change course as well.

Rather than improving the federal procurement system or working to ensure contract awards are merit-based, the draft executive order would politicize the process and may cause businesses to either refrain from exercising their constitutional speech rights or alter their political messages in ways thought to increase their chance of being awarded federal contracts.

As the letter says, "The Executive has a statutory obligation to procure goods and services based on the best value for the American taxpayer. It also has constitutional obligations to respect the legislative domain of Congress, to refrain from chilling protected political speech, and to avoid subjecting citizens to arbitrary laws. The draft executive order violates each of these duties and potentially turns the procurement process into a tool with which to reward political allies and punish political opponents."

Please continue to send letters opposing the draft executive order by personalizing your message to the Administration now.