This video explains in less than three minutes why and how our tax code should be reformed.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) spoke to FreeEnterprise.com about taxes and regulations.
Republican and Democrat members of Congress tell FreeEnterprise.com that now is the time to approve construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Sen. Lindsey Graham talks to FreeEnterprise.com about the comprehensive immigration reform legislation he helped negotiate.
Top 20% of households will pay an average of 27.2% of their income in federal taxes in 2013.
Jenny Fulton left a career in financial services to start a pickle company that exports to China.
U.S. manufacturing is far from dead, but its future success is far from assured.
Raising raise taxes on carried interest would discourage the risk taking that is required to save, start, and grow companies.
Washington policies are contributing to continued difficult times for the nation's small firms.
The free market advocate is bearish on an economic turnaround.
This index ranks all 50 states on 46 different policy measures, including a wide array of tax, regulatory and government spending measures.
California tops the list of unfair civil justice systems, according to the American Tort Reform Association.
Small business owners are spending more time and money on social media but are struggling with the increased workload.
The iconic rock star recognizes the importance of capitalism and entrepreneurship in philanthropy.
Little noticed in the September jobs numbers report is the number of newly created jobs that are supported by imports.
Manufacturers speak about one of their biggest challenges.
A movie about one mother's effort to transform a failing school could change the debate.
AOL founder Steve Case says that the United States' lead in entrepreneurship is shrinking and explains how to halt the closing gap.
The government plays a role in a successful economy but does not determine individual success.
A Q&A with Mallory Factor, author of "Shadowbosses: Government Unions Control America and Rob Taxpayers Blind"
Congress skipped town for its August vacation without finishing important work.
For the first time in seven years, Congress passed a $105 billion multiyear surface transportation bill, bringing certainty to road, highway, bridge, and transit projects and ensuring that project dollars are spent more wisely and stretched further.
The U.S. Chamber and other business organizations are intent on not letting the U.S. Supreme Court have the final say on a partisan health care law that a majority of Americans oppose. Following the Court’s unexpected decision on June 28 to uphold the law, the Chamber and other groups will continue their push to dismantle it.
Defense and aerospace supply chains 'could crumble.'
Unless Congress acts, dividend income will be taxed as ordinary income, with rates rising to as high as 44.6%.
Fred Kempe, president and CEO of the Atlantic Council, shares his insights into the European debt crisis.
Fortune's Nina Easton points out that predictions of impending class warfare miss the fundamental nature of the American psyche.
Business leader possesses Midwestern values, a strong work ethic, and a long track record of business advocacy.
Unpopularity of the law among FreeEnterprise.com users is overwhelming.
The House highway and transit reauthorization bill isn't perfect, but it's fixable.
With the future direction of the economy and job growth at stake, a growing number of chambers of commerce are recognizing that they can’t afford to be silent this election year.
Project will create 5,000 new construction jobs and 800 permanent jobs.
Seasoned political strategist Scott Reed shares his insights into the 2012 elections and the U.S. Chamber's voter education program.
Canada pulled out of the Kyoto Protocol yesterday, saying the accord won’t help solve the climate crisis. It is the first country to formally renounce the agreement. Canada’s booming oil sands sector, which is the country’s fastest growing source of greenhouse gases, is a reason why it renege
Following the Thanksgiving holiday weekend, President Obama is expected to hit the road again to tout his jobs plan, which has generated very little support because it contains temporary, ineffective policies and is paid for with tax increases. If you’re trying to spark job creation, wouldn’t it
The U.S. Supreme Court made news this week by announcing that next spring it will decide on the constitutionality of the individual mandate in the 2010 health care reform law. But that announcement hasn’t slowed legislative efforts in Congress to rid the law of other problematic provisions – nor s
Americans’ expectations of future economic growth need to be scaled back as the housing crisis plays itself out and as uncertainty facing businesses mounts. That was the message today from U.S. Chamber Chief Economist Marty Regalia speaking at the Quarterly Economic Roundtable Series hosted by t
That was the overarching question posed to a panel of labor experts at the National Journal’s “Making America Competitive in the Global Economy Summit” this morning. Randy Johnson, U.S. Chamber Senior Vice President of Labor, Immigration & Employee Benefits, answered “no,” citing feedback from Cha
In Washington, any single member of Congress can avoid attention by blending in with his or her 534 colleagues. But for the 12 members of the bipartisan congressional supercommittee tasked with trimming $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion from the nation’s debt, the national spotlight and the pressure that comes with it are unavoidable.
The jobs plan that President Obama outlined to a joint session of Congress on Thursday evening falls short of what’s needed to trigger more robust economic growth that will bring down the nation’s stubbornly high unemployment rate, U.S. Chamber officials say.
“A workable jobs plan must genuinely reduce regulatory uncertainty, unshackle promising American industries, and not be overly reliant on government spending and subsidies,” says Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue.
As the president prepares to unveil his jobs agenda to a joint session of Congress tonight, he would be wise to incorporate the recommendations of the job creators themselves.
The Wall Street Journal asked a number of CEOs of the some of the world’s largest companies what Washington should do t
Three pro-union rulings handed down by the National Labor Relations Board this week could be just the opening salvo in a series of decisions to strengthen union organizing efforts at the expense of employers. As Chamber senior vice president for Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits, Randy Joh
As President Obama prepares to reveal his jobs plan before a joint session of Congress next week, we hope to hear him say that he intends to remove obstacles that have needlessly stalled the development of dozens of vital energy projects across the country.
By taking simple steps to facilitate th
Ireland Finance Minister Michael Noonan is making the rounds in Washington, meeting with acting IMF Director John Lipsky, U.S. Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, and Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue. As noted in this Irish Times article, Noonan is unwavering in his opposition to raising Ire
by Greg Galdabini
Jobs. Jobs. Jobs. Our economy needs lots more of them, and the U.S. affiliates of foreign-owned companies are a good source of them, according to a report issued today by the U.S. Commerce Department. The report, Foreign Direct Investment in the United States, concludes that encou
Yesterday at America’s Small Business Summit, a trio of U.S. Chamber senior executives weighed in on three issues that are keeping small business owners up at night.
Energy – The administration has adopted a “just say no” energy policy, having canceled 80 oil and gas leases that were previously
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Former U.S. Transportation Secretary and chief of staff to President George W. Bush Andy Card says that “American free enterpris
Two health care policy experts speaking at America’s Small Business Summit said that medical liability reform, left out of last year’s health care reform law, is one of the most important improvements Congress could make to the health care system.
Dr. Len Nichols, professor of health policy and d
While the British queen’s trip to Ireland this week has stirred up some controversy and mixed emotions there, Tom Donohue’s positive message of solidarity, praise, and encouragement was universally well received by Irish business and government leaders.
In a speech to the Institute of Certified P
At a National Press Club luncheon today, U.S. Chamber Chief Economist and Senior Vice President Dr. Marty Regalia pointed out that Congress is missing the target by taking aim at oil and gas companies. The Senate Finance Committee is holding hearings on oil and gas company taxes on Thursday amid r
During a week in which the nation was fixated on news of Osama bin Laden's death, the administration made progress on the pending FTAs, and the Chamber rolled out its education reform principles as well as the results of its inaugural Small Business Outlook Survey.
The Minneapolis Sta
Cities across the country are cutting services, raising taxes, and even, in some cases, contemplating bankruptcy. But a notable exception is Sandy Springs, a suburban community of about 80,000 just north of Atlanta, Georgia.
Since incorporating in 2005, Sandy Springs has improved its services, in
from ICW
As reported in a post yesterday, the U.S. Chamber released its guidelines for reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, also known as No Child Left Behind. Check out the press conference highlights featuring Tom Donohue, Chamber president and CEO; Margaret Spellings, president
Kudos to the House of Representatives for taking steps to address exorbitant gasoline prices and rising frustration among American families and small businesses.
Today, the House began consideration of the first of three bills designed to increase domestic oil and natural gas production. H.R.1230
Airlines have done the math and have seen the business case for equipping their airplanes for NextGen technology, Randy Babbitt, Administrator for the Federal Aviation Administration, Babbitt told a standing room crowd at the U.S. Chamber’s 10th Annual Aviation Summit today.
NextGen, which moves
Add this to the Regulators Gone Wild file: according to a report on the New York Daily News web site yesterday, New York state regulators have deemed Wiffle Ball, freeze tag, dodge ball and other timeless kids’ games “risky recreational activities.” The article says that under state rules, any pro
Almost every major environmental law requires EPA to perform a continuing study of the effect of its regulations on employment or the threat of job losses. EPA rarely, if ever, performs such a study.
Last week, EPA Assistant Administrator Mathy Stanislaus admitted as much to Rep. Cory Gardner dur
Yesterday, the U.S. Chamber presented the 2010 Spirit of Enterprise Award to pro-business members of Congress. I was able catch up with several of the award winners to get their thoughts on free enterprise and how to create new U.S. jobs . Check it out.
Watch video highlights of our keynote speakers at the 5th annual Capital Markets Summit, held at the U.S. Chamber on Wednesday.
Learn more or view the full webcast of the event.
He’s been called, among other things, the administration’s “chief congressional tormentor.” Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) is using his position as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to shine a spotlight on the job-killing flaws of the federal regulatory scheme. In between his congressional hearings investigating regulatory excess, Rep. Issa took time to answer our questions.
Tom Donohue interviewed JPMorgan Chase & Co. Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon. Here are a few summarized tidbits from Dimon during the wide-ranging, energetic exchange:
On the economy... Corporate America has lots of cash, consumer spending and small business demand is up, and the housing market is b
Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue focused his remarks on the five most critically important Dodd-Frank implementation issues. Here’s a quick rundown:
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The scope of the agency and its accountability remains a major concern. If not used carefully, the CFP
Elizabeth Warren, architect of the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, likened her appearance at the Chamber to "Nixon to China, Daniel in the Lion’s Den, Senator John Kennedy speaking to Baptist ministers," but quickly tried to establish common ground with the Chamber, saying they both shar
One year ago, President Obama signed comprehensive health care reform legislation. Has the law lived up to the promises made by its supporters? Consider the facts below.
Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) is using his position as chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee to shine a spotlight on the job-killing flaws of the federal regulatory scheme. In between his congressional hearings investigating regulatory excess, Rep. Issa took time to answer que
from EnergyXXI
The Chamber’s new study, Progress Denied: A Study on the Potential Economic Impact of Permitting Challenges Facing Proposed Energy Projects, reveals that stalled energy projects are costing the U.S. economy nearly 2 million jobs.
In Washington policy debates, it’s easy for some to become desensit
Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue is taking the Chamber’s jobs and growth agenda on the road, with stops today and tomorrow in Massachusetts and St. Louis.
Donohue will rally audiences at the South Shore Chamber of Commerce in Massachusetts and at the St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth
Last weekend, the floor of the New York Stock Exchange was swarming with young, bright, and ambitious minds. You couldn’t help but think that someone among them will become the next Bill Gates.
The event was the Kairos Society Global Summit, of which the U.S. Chamber was a presenting sponsor. The
Though outright repeal of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) is a political pipedream, opponents are making progress in stripping it of its most onerous provisions.
Here’s the legislative scorecard for those tracking from home:
Last week, the House Ways and Means Committee
By any measure, Bill Feinberg is a successful small businessman, the kind who makes up the backbone of the U.S. economy. He and his three brothers own Allied Kitchen and Bath, Inc. located in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. The company has earned a 5-Star rating on Angie’s List, and is a AAA rated memb
In case you missed it, in testimony before the House Budget Committee last week, Congressional Budget Office Director Douglas Elmendorf, in response to a question from Rep. John Campbell, said that the health care law would reduce employment by 800,000 in ’20-’21.
The health care law should be re
President Obama used his recent speech at the U.S. Chamber to encourage more innovation and job growth in the U.S. We hope the federal agencies were listening – including the FDA.
The New York Times this week reported that innovative medical device companies in the United States are losing their
During his speech at the U.S. Chamber on Monday, President Obama talked about a shared responsibility between government and the private sector in restoring jobs, economic growth, and innovation. A few small business owners and association and chamber leaders in the audience shared their impressio
Heading into the weekend, Superbowl XLV isn’t the only big event garnering media attention. On Monday, President Obama will deliver a speech to the business community at U.S. Chamber Commerce headquarters, located just steps away from the White House.
The president’s speech will be closely watche
Robert Pasin has expanded the product line at Radio Flyer, the red wagon company started by his Italian immigrant grandfather 94 years ago.
by Greg GaldabiniThe House was smart to pass legislation this week repealing the health care reform law enacted last year. The law is so flawed and complex that even a provision as seemingly beneficial to small businesses as the 35% tax credit for the purchase of employee health care has turned out
A recent study suggests that tough education reform measures-like closing a school, reopening it as a charter, or implementing a turnaround model in which most of the staff is replaced and a new principal is given increased autonomy-are necessary for turning around persistently failing schools.
Th
Joe Scarborough, the former congressman and current host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” made quite a few interesting and insightful comments at the Small Business Summit on Tuesday afternoon. Here are a few of the highlights:
On the 2010 midterm elections: There are many parallels between the mood of th
Being a small business owner almost requires that you be social, so it is no surprise that there was standing room only at the Small Business Summit break out session on social media yesterday. Participants walked away with a number of good tips from Erica Pierson and Saïd Eastman, both of Monster
Donald Moore and Wilder Baker of Harmonics Limited give two tips 1) look at costs 2) increase sales/marketing.
Jim Franklin, CEO, Reliable Review Services, gives a great argument for investing in technology. Savings equals capital equals growth.
Small business owners were treated to a number of insightful tips from the panel of nationally recognized entrepreneurs.
All of the panelists recognized the importance of the Internet in driving business growth. “The Internet is the platform for any company with designs on growing,” said Joel Babbi
Even in a down economy, employers shouldn’t assume that they have the upper hand in the hiring and managing process. According to Saïd Eastman, executive director of Business Development for Monster Worldwide, employers should incorporate the following tips for hiring the best candidates and retain
Just one thing to add to Tom's post on U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke's session at America’s Small Business Summit this morning. The Secretary said that the government’s investment in a smart grid will create new jobs and improve energy efficiency. He spoke of a future where appliances will t
Tom Donohue was on the PBS Nightly Business Report last night. From the show:SUSIE GHARIB: With the presidential election three weeks from today, we continue our special series of election commentaries looking at the candidates' economic choices. Tonight, Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S.
Donald J. Shepard, who was elected U.S. Chamber chairman today, has never been one to back down from a challenge - not growing up as the son of a police officer in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and not as a leader of a global insurance company.
"Don is a competitor. He likes to win whether it’s business or h
Before attendees at America's Small Business Summit 2008 headed to Capitol Hill for meetings with lawmakers, U.S. Chamber of Commerce head lobbyist Rolf Lundberg conveyed to them the Top 5 commandments of lobbying, which were originally penned by Bruce Wolpe, author of "Lobbying Congress: How the S
