LOS ANGELES, CA—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes program announced today it is joining with the entertainment industry as part of the new veterans initiative, Got Your 6™. The campaign brings together an unprecedented group of supporters, including nearly every major studio, broadcast and cable network, talent agency, and guild in the entertainment industry.  Hiring Our Heroes will serve as the lead non-profit partner for the jobs pillar of the campaign.

“It is an honor for Hiring Our Heroes to be a part of an effort that carries such a powerful and influential voice,” said Lt. Col. Kevin Schmiegel (Ret.), executive director of the U.S. Chamber’s Hiring Our Heroes program.  “To see virtually every major player in Hollywood come together on this initiative is a clear indicator they recognize the importance of our mission – to help the men and women who serve our country.  We look forward to working with Got Your 6 to reach millions of Americans and demonstrate the value that veterans and military spouses bring to the table.”

As part of the initiative, Got Your 6 will work with Hiring Our Heroes to facilitate commitments toward the “Hiring 500,000 Heroes” campaign.  The U.S. Chamber, National Chamber Foundation, and Capital One launched “Hiring 500,000 Heroes” on March 28, 2012, with a goal of engaging the business community in committing to hire 500,000 veterans and military spouses by the end of 2014.

“Got your six” is a military expression that means “I’ve got your back, and you’ve got mine.”  The six o’clock position or “six” is the designation of the rear of a military formation.  Initially conceived as an entertainment industry commitment at the Clinton Global Initiative America convening in Chicago in June 2011, Got Your 6 launches today with tremendous strength.  The campaign will mobilize the assets, expertise and talent of the entertainment industry, spanning film, television, gaming, print, radio, outdoor media, and social platforms to build awareness around this important issue.

“Over the next five years, more than one million service members will return to civilian life,” said Chris Marvin, managing director of Got Your 6 and director of Civilian-Military Partnerships for ServiceNation.  “It is imperative that Americans see this as an opportunity.  As we welcome this generation of veterans home, it is crucial that we view them and their families as leaders and civic assets.  With the full support of so many outstanding organizations like Hiring Our Heroes, Got Your 6 is a clear call to action for all Americans to join with our veterans in reinvigorating our communities.”

In March 2011, the Chamber, in conjunction with the National Chamber Foundation, launched its Hiring Our Heroes program, a nationwide effort to help veterans and military spouses find meaningful employment. The Chamber started the program to improve public-private sector coordination in local communities, where veterans and their families are returning every day.  To date, Hiring Our Heroes has hosted 162 hiring fairs in 48 states and the District of Columbia, helping more than 9,000 veterans and military spouses find employment.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.

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.

“I’m confident that the Supreme Court will not take what would be an unprecedented, extraordinary step of overturning a law that was passed by a strong majority of a democratically elected Congress,” he said.

Moreover, Mr. Obama argued that nullifying Obamacare would amount to “judicial activism,” whereby “unelected” judges trump the will of legislative representatives…

The Washington Times continued to explain:

Contrary to Mr. Obama’s spin, the Affordable Care Act was jammed through Congress. It passed the House by a narrow vote of 219-212, even though the Democrats had an overwhelming majority of 75 seats. In the Senate, it barely crossed the 60-vote threshold to avoid a filibuster and passed without a single Republican vote. The law was deeply unpopular with the electorate. Obama Democrats desperately rushed it through Congress, abusing parliamentary procedures and bribing key members of the Senate. It is today even less popular with voters. No one - including Mr. Obama - bothered to read the 2,700-page monstrosity before putting it into law.

With its laundry list of shortcomings and broken promises, it’s not hard to believe why the Supreme Court is taking careful consideration of the bill’s legitimacy.

It would not be “unprecedented” or “extraordinary” if the Supreme Court overturns Obamacare. For more than 200 years, the high court has struck down countless laws passed by Congress or state legislatures, many of them with much stronger majorities than the Affordable Care Act.

Read the full editorial here and vote below.

In the wake of evidence provided at the Supreme Court hearings against the 2010 health care overhaul, do you believe think we should keep the bill as is or start from scratch?

[poll_id:8]

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!

First, we learned that the federal courts rebuked the EPA three different times for exceeding its authority—including one case where EPA retroactively revoked a properly secured permit for a coal mining company in West Virginia.

Then, the EPA announced a new rule that will restrict greenhouse gas emissions from power plants in a way that effectively places a ban on new, conventional coal-fired power plants in the future.

Collectively, these EPA actions (even those struck down by the courts) could have the impact of killing American jobs, spiking energy costs, and threatening the electricity grid on which our country runs.

At the same time, the Administration continues to stick to its decision not to allow full construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, and a moratorium remains in place that prevents us from tapping the vast energy resources off America’s shores.

All of this comes at a time of when gas prices continue to rise. 

Fortunately, some recent public opinion surveys show that the American people “get it” when it comes to energy policy.  One recent Rasmussen Reports survey shows that a strong majority (58%) of Americans say that free market competition is better than regulations at controlling gas prices.

Another survey finds that the great majority of Americans think we’re not doing enough to develop our domestic oil and gas resources — and a majority favor building the Keystone XL Pipeline.

The American people clearly want an “all of the above” energy strategy.  Unfortunately, the Administration’s approach has proved itself as more of a “some of the above” plan, with increases in regulation and restrictive actions taking place over the past few weeks.

As uncertainty and higher prices continue to cloud our energy future, it will become increasingly important that the Administration listens to what the American people want. 

Leave a comment to tell us what energy initiative you support to create jobs, keep America on the front lines of competitiveness, and secure our nation’s energy future.

In 1998, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce founded the Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) to address the litigation explosion that hurts employers, consumers and families alike.

ILR's mission: To make America's legal system simpler, fairer and faster for everyone.

In these challenging economic times, the last thing we need is for businesses to face the added burden of lawsuit abuse. As part of their effort to shine a spotlight on the problem, the ILR team is on the constant look out for outrageous lawsuits slowing down the legal system to be presented  in a monthly Most Ridiculous Lawsuit Poll.

We’ll begin to feature these monthly polls here on the What We're Watching blog – and hope you’ll take a moment to vote, and forward it on to your friends.

Without further adieu, we invite you to click below to vote for which of this month's lawsuits you think is most ridiculous: 


 

Leave a comment to share how you’ve seen America’s healthcare system changed since the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. 

Michigan: Congressman Fred Upton

As chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the House, Congressman Fred Upton has stood strong against new taxes that would have sent energy costs through the roof.  Upton opposed Obamacare and its job-killing mandates and taxes, and he’s heading the fight to repeal it.

Michigan needs more jobs, and Michigan voters should know that they have a pro-jobs friend in Representative in Fred Upton:

Pennsylvania: Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick

Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick is fighting to protect Pennsylvanians from the big government onslaught coming from Washington. He opposed Obamacare, and is working with Fred Upton and others to see that it is repealed.  Fitzpatrick knows that it’s not Washington or Congress that will jumpstart our economy — it’s small businesses and American free enterprise that will get America back on track and put Americans back to work.

Pennsylvanians need to know that Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick is on their side, working to protect Pennsylvania jobs and get our economy growing again.



Click here to see all of the ads that are part of our landmark 2012 voter education campaign.   As it turns 2 years old, Americans need to know who is fighting for them and fighting to end Obamacare.  

[poll_id:7]

Thanks for your thoughts and feedback! Your views and opinions help make our grassroots efforts stronger; giving us the guidance to most effectively fight for what you think is most important.

• Contact Congress and urge their Support for the Repeal of the Independent Payment Advisory Board 
  
  
• Are you a small business? Submit a testimonial on how the PPACC's Employer Mandate will impact you. 

This landmark new agreement, signed into law on this past October,   has the potential to boost GDP by at least $12 billion through expanded exports support more than 70,000 new export-related jobs.

Now, the door is open for American businesses to seize on this opportunity, as Chamber President Tom Donohue recently pointed out:

“It is now up to the business community, including the hundreds of thousands of small and medium sized enterprises that make up the backbone of the U.S. economy, to take full advantage of this agreement to grow American exports,” Donohue said. “This agreement is the foundation for moving bipartisan, job-creating policies forward, and we urge the administration to build on the positive momentum of the South Korea trade agreement to continue opening up markets abroad.” 

By breaking down artificial trade barriers like tariffs, as KORUS does, we’re opening up a whole new market of consumers to the opportunity to enjoy products and services innovated by and created by Americans.

We would be remiss not to thank you for your hard work and grassroots advocacy that helped to get this agreement passed.  KORUS means a new, level playing field in South Korea’s dynamic and growing marketplace, and we look forward to the future opportunities KORUS holds for the American business community.

Click here to learn more about how the U.S. Chamber is working to expand trade to create new jobs and grow prosperity.

Unfortunately, the White House’s “energy progress report” released on Monday, shows the administration continues to get it wrong when it comes to increasing domestic energy sources and developing a comprehensive energy policy that will create American jobs and decrease foreign dependence.

According to Politico:

The U.S. has made significant advances in the year since President Barack Obama outlined an ambitious strategy for improving energy security, according to a White House progress report out Monday…

The progress report touts numbers indicating that domestic oil and natural gas production is enjoying a boom time.

[They stressed] that the Keystone rejection was because of concerns about the pipeline's route within Nebraska and a short deadline imposed by Republicans. They also lauded the portion of the pipeline, from Cushing, Oklahoma, to Port Arthur, Texas, that is moving forward.

Let’s check the facts:

• Recent increases in domestic production of oil and natural gas are due to policies that were put in place before the Obama Administration and increased production on private and state lands.
• At the same time, Energy Secretary Steven Chu stated before a House of Representatives committee that his department's mission is not about addressing high energy prices. This is not terribly surprising considering that Secretary Chu once stated that he wanted to “boost” gasoline prices to Europe's levels and wean Americans off of fossil fuels.
• While blaming Republicans for its rejection, the Administration forgot to mention that the Keystone XL was in its fourth year of review when the Obama Administration rejected it.
• It’s also worth remembering that the Obama administration ignored its own Council on Jobs & Competitiveness report, which explicitly recommended expanding domestic oil and gas production to provide American energy, along with constructing new pipelines to increase oil delivery and create American jobs.
• And finally, the Administration’s solution to sky-rocketing gas prices is to raise taxes on the oil and gas industry, which history tells us will only lead to more imports.  Instead they should focus on actual solutions like tapping onshore and offshore lands that are currently blocked for exploration, removing job-killing regulations from the EPA and turning rhetoric into reality by developing a diverse energy strategy.

What the Administration is touting as progress is actually a major step backwards for American energy policy.

Read the Chamber’s plan to make American energy the next big thing by taking advantage of a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs, grow the economy, cut the deficit, and reduce foreign dependence.  The Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy is working to find real solutions to our energy challenges that will create jobs and help our economy

With the potential to create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, we deserve more than political rhetoric – it’s time to start demanding it. 

As you know, our current transportation funding law is set to expire in just a few weeks on March 31st.  If that happens, needed road, highway and bridge projects currently in progress could come to an abrupt end.

America's job creators face a rocky road to recovery if Congress doesn’t immediately reauthorize funding to build and repair our nation's aging infrastructure.  

Recognizing the historic opportunity ahead of them, the Senate is slated to hold a final vote on an extension bill TODAY.

Click here to urge your Senators to vote "YES" on transportation reauthorization — and ask your House members to quickly adopt a similar version.

With your grassroots support we are making strides in the Senate, but the fight is not over in the House.  Your representatives are back in your district this week for House recess, the perfect time to hear from you – their constituents – on the importance of salvaging our nation’s infrastructure investments. 

Transportation funding is critical to America's competitiveness and our economic recovery. 

This bill is Congress' chance to do something about it. Contact your members and urge their support for this important bill.

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? 

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.