There are millions of good actors who contribute to America’s economic strength and competitiveness when they abide by IP rules as they invent and innovate—or when they fight to protect IP through enforcement.
States with pro-growth policies are helping businesses succeed and people get back to work—and they are providing a good model for other state and national leaders on how to advance strong and competitive economies.
Trade is working for America. Here’s how.
Immigration reform is one of the compelling challenges of our time. If we rise to that challenge, we can ensure that our great country can compete and win in the global race for talent.
In order to remain a powerful collective engine for growth, small businesses need a little help from Washington.
If we don’t build our financial regulatory system on sound policies, our capital markets will become less competitive and drag down the economy.
To keep our economy humming and put the government back on sound fiscal footing, we must undertake comprehensive tax reform and exercise real spending restraint through fundamental entitlement reform.
Our nation is indebted to the men and women who have served and sacrificed for us—ensuring civilian career opportunities await them is one important way we can show our gratitude.
You’ve probably heard that a gaffe in Washington is when someone accidentally tells the truth. Well, there is a pronounced shortage of truth telling in Washington these days.
The administration and the business community are joining forces to throw their support behind three groundbreaking trade agreements that could help jump-start our economy, open new markets to American goods and services, and create badly needed jobs.
The fight over the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB’s) controversial recess appointments is heating up, and it could go all the way to the Supreme Court.
This month marks the third anniversary of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) becoming law.
Washington isn’t exactly known for being forthcoming—but expect to hear it straight from business.
The regulatory process offers opportunities to shape the 2010 health care law.
Businesses genuinely want partners—not regulators—in the fight against cyber criminals.
Business and labor coming together should be a signal that support for immigration reform is widespread and growing.
America’s infrastructure system has delivered enormous benefits to our economy, our country, and our way of life for generations. And it can continue to do so if we take good care of it.
When it comes to energy, Washington could learn a lot from North Dakota.
The Chamber will continue to use every tool at its disposal to protect America’s job creators from the costs and uncertainty of a regulatory regime run amok.
To date, “all of the above” energy strategy rhetoric has not matched policymaking.
Congress and the president must use a short-term extension of the debt ceiling to negotiate spending cuts and entitlement reform that will restore fiscal balance and put us on a sounder financial footing.
Immigration reform is a great opportunity to strengthen our competitiveness, attract and retain the world’s best talent and hardest workers, secure our borders, and keep faith with America’s legacy as an open and welcoming society.
At the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, we begin the New Year by looking at how American business is doing, discussing the key challenges facing our economy, and identifying the top priorities we plan to work on.
The last-minute deal to resolve the fiscal cliff impasse prevented a devastating tax hike for many American taxpayers and provided some relief in the financial markets—but it left undone the bulk of the work necessary to put our fiscal house in order.
President Obama has promised an “all of the above” energy policy. When it comes to coal, his administration has not gotten the message.
Americans are among the most generous and compassionate people on earth. Likewise, businesses of all sizes work to improve their communities and find ways to give back.
The impact of looming regulations—large and small—will hit the markets, companies, and consumers with tremendous force. In the meantime, uncertainty hangs over the economy.
Some pundits and politicians in Washington are already speculating about the elections of 2014 and 2016. In case they haven't noticed, there is important work to do on behalf of the American people right now.
In the 20 years since the North American Free Trade Agreement cemented the commercial relationship between the United States, Canada, and Mexico, NAFTA has propelled an explosion in trade, jobs, and growth and enhanced the competitiveness of all three countries.
The boom in shale oil and natural gas—as well as opportunities in other sectors of the energy industry—could transform our economy.
We can no longer use the excuse of an upcoming election to kick the can down the road on the immediate economic and fiscal challenges facing the country. The president and the outgoing Congress must work immediately—this year—to prevent the fiscal cliff and lay the groundwork for a Big Deal to restore our nation’s long-term fiscal balance and boost American energy production.
Through their votes, Americans have a voice in the debate over those critical issues and a choice in the direction of our country. That’s what makes voting one of the greatest rights and responsibilities of being an American citizen.
We must rethink tax, spending, and energy policy.
Shale energy—natural gas and oil extracted from rock formations—is a game changer for the American economy and our energy future.
While much of the attention throughout the health reform debate has been on the role of government, it is the private sector that is leading the country to adopt innovative solutions to our health care deficiencies.
By looking back at the transportation bill victory and keeping ongoing infrastructure needs in mind, lawmakers should be reminded that there is real work to be done in Congress. We should also remember that we can get hard things done when we roll up our sleeves, meet at the negotiating table, and set our minds to doing what’s right for our country and our economy.
When unionized teachers in Chicago took to the picket lines in September, leaving classrooms empty in the first weeks of the new school year, it caught America’s attention. Now that the debate over education has been reignited, let’s put the focus back where it belongs—on the students. Fed up parents, educators, and students have a ready ally in business.
This election season, business has a choice: It can sit by as elected leaders punt on the critical issues, or it can do something to change the dynamic in Washington by electing more pro-business candidates to the House and Senate who will pass policies to get our economy back on track.
With little more than a month remaining before the elections, the U.S. Chamber urges Americans to find out just who—and what—they’re voting for. On our website VoteForJobs2012.com, voters can find a breakdown of the most important races and compare the candidates based on their commitment to job creation.
Education and workforce development systems have not kept pace with the demands of the 21st century, creating a skills gap that threatens our prosperity at home and our competitiveness abroad. Americans need jobs, and U.S. employers need workers. Through smart reforms, we can bridge the skills and education gap, match workers with jobs, and energize the economy.
Frivolous lawsuits are dead weight on a state’s economy. America’s job creators look at several factors when considering whether they’ll hire, expand, or choose a location. And a system that fosters frivolous lawsuits is certain to drive companies out of town or out of business.
Want proof positive that government policies profoundly impact an economy? Look no further than California. The Golden State has everything going for it—vast natural resources, rich agricultural land, its position as gateway to the Pacific, and innovative high-tech industries. So why has such a blessed state gone from an economic powerhouse to the verge of bankruptcy? Government policy.
“Insanity” has been defined as doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. The folks at the Environmental Protection Agency must not be up on that definition as they keep churning out one unlawful and burdensome rule after another—and federal courts keep striking them down.
In a welcome development for American workers, farmers, and companies, Russia joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) on August 22. Accession to the WTO—after more than 18 years of negotiations—required Moscow to open its market to imports, safeguard intellectual property and investments, and strengthen the rule of law.
There’s a critical debate occurring in America that transcends the daily punch and counterpunch on issues such as taxes, regulations, and energy policy. It’s more broadly about the role of government in our lives and whether the values of hard work, personal responsibility, and economic freedom still matter.
As we gear up for a new school year, it’s worth highlighting a subject as essential to many young Americans’ education and our collective future as reading, writing, and arithmetic—entrepreneurship. Unfortunately, it’s often overlooked.
At some point in history, it was memorably declared that “the sky is the limit.” Whoever coined that term didn’t realize just how low a ceiling he was setting for human aspiration. Curiosity, imagination, and ingenuity have always gotten the best of perceived physical limits. This has been especially true in America—we are by nature a nation of innovators and pioneers inspired to push through every boundary we confront.
The late economist Milton Friedman once said, “So that the record of history is absolutely crystal clear: There is no alternative way, so far discovered, of improving the lot of the ordinary people that can hold a candle to the productive activities that are unleashed by a free enterprise system.”
Think public policy choices don’t impact a country’s economic health? Look at the stark differences between the thriving market-driven democracy of South Korea and the highly centralized North Korean regime, plagued by chronic economic problems.We’ve got a strong example of the positive effects of good policies even closer to home—Canada.
Unless Congress acts, at midnight on December 31, 2012, a disastrous combination of tax hikes and spending cuts will automatically take effect, threatening to plunge our economy back into recession.
By now, most Americans know that the Supreme Court upheld the bulk of President Obama’s health care reform law. But many are left wondering, what’s next?
The next great source of jobs and economic growth may come from an area you rarely think about—the ocean.
With a few potent words, the political leaders and statesmen who signed the Declaration of Independence unleashed the power of opportunity and initiative in America. Free enterprise was an important element in their grand experiment in liberty.
In emergency situations, medical personnel are trained to stabilize the patient first, then nurse him or her back to health. Facing a fiscal emergency, Congress must follow the same course of action.
The Supreme Court ruling does not change the reality that the health care law is fundamentally flawed.
U.S. colleges and universities are the bright spot in the American education system. Our research institutions are among the best in the world, and international scholars and students flock to our shores for postsecondary education. The U.S. population ranks near the top globally for college-educated adults.
Mexico today boasts a vibrant economy, a highly skilled workforce, and the world’s second-largest free trade network.
Despite gridlock in Washington, lawmakers have rallied around a few key pieces of legislation that will spur job creation and economic growth—passage of free trade agreements and reauthorization of the Export-Import Bank come to mind. Congress has a chance to add to that list of accomplishments by finally passing long-term legislation to maintain our nation’s roads, bridges, and transit systems.
Innovation is what keeps our economy humming, our businesses hiring, and our standard of living improving. With unemployment persistently high and economic growth sputtering, we need more innovation to spur and sustain our recovery.
Many things could help bolster our weak recovery, support growth, and create jobs—more exports of American products and services, fewer onerous regulations, and greater certainty, to name a few. One factor often overlooked is increased productivity.
What’s one of the fastest ways to create jobs for the 20 million Americans who are unemployed, underemployed, or who have given up looking? Drive economic growth. And what’s one of the surest ways to hold that growth back? Stall job-creating projects with needless delays.
American small business men and women have a lot of balls in the air. For most, every day is a juggling act of balancing the books, keeping track of inventory, managing staff and payroll, handling their own IT challenges, and more. These multitasking, enterprising individuals are driving our recovery and creating good jobs for U.S. workers. This week, add advocacy to the to-do list.
Ninety-five percent of the world’s customers live outside of the United States. And the worldwide race among leading global economies to reach them and sell them things is under way—and gaining speed. How is America faring? We’re in the contest, but we risk ceding ground, customers, and, most importantly, jobs to competitors that are ambitiously going after new trade deals.
May is World Trade Month. As we highlight the vast potential for jobs and growth through global commerce, we must not overlook one of America’s most valuable exports: foreign visitors to the United States.
Our cover story this month focuses on the importance of trade to economic growth. When discussing trade, we can’t overlook one of our most valuable exports: foreign visitors to the United States. When foreign visitors spend their money here, it’s counted as an export.
To many, “economic espionage” sounds like a good plot twist in a blockbuster action film or in a best-selling crime novel. But it is a fact—not fiction—that organized criminals, “hacktivists,” and some foreign governments are spying and stealing in cyberspace. Like it or not, along with the commercial benefits of a world interconnected through the Web, bad actors have figured out ways to steal business secrets, raid consumer financial information, and wreak havoc on business networks.
In the early 20th century, a dynamic America was growing fast and carving out a place for itself as a major global economic power. Across the nation, thriving businesses gave our economic engine its thrust and helped propel America toward prosperity. But these businesses lacked a unified voice in Washington. To prevent an increasingly powerful federal government from obstructing enterprise, public and private sector leaders called for the formation of a national chamber of commerce.
Tax Day is upon us—and you should enjoy it. Why? As painful as it may be to write this year’s check to Uncle Sam, it could be the smallest check you’ll write for years to come.
The Environmental Protection Agency has the important charge of keeping our water safe and our air clean. It’s a mission supported by the business community—and collectively, we’ve invested $1.5 trillion over the last 30 years to improve the environment. What we don’t support are EPA rules and edicts that are driven by ideology, not science; trample the rights of states, businesses, and citizens; and undermine the economy and job creation.
Women make up half of the workforce, but they are underrepresented in the top executive ranks of our nation’s businesses. While more and more women are filling top jobs, there remains a gender gap.
In April 1912, business leaders from around the nation came together in Washington, D.C., to establish the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
In the 20th century, the United States built the most advanced infrastructure system ever. Substantial investments put millions to work and fueled our economic growth, expanded our horizons, and made us the envy of the world. But in the years since, we’ve failed to keep up those investments, and we’ve moved from first in the world to middle of the pack.
It seems like just yesterday Nancy Pelosi said that Congress would have to pass sweeping health care legislation so we could find out what was actually in the bill. Two years have passed since that bill became law, and though the full implications of its 159 new agencies, panels, commissions, regulatory bodies, and mandates remain murky, a few things are now crystal clear.
America needs a growth rate substantially higher than 2% to 2.5% to create the 20 million jobs we’ll need in this decade. We can and must do better. How do we do it?
One hundred isn’t just the number of years that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been standing up for American business. It’s the number of job fairs we’ll hold for veterans in the first year of our Hiring Our Heroes job initiative. After launching the program last March, we will hit our milestone goal of 100 hiring fairs with an event in Philadelphia this Friday.
What’s the administration’s budget strategy? Spend like there’s no tomorrow, drive deficits to record levels, heap huge tax increases on America’s most productive citizens, and ignore the most urgent challenges facing the economy, including tax reform and entitlement programs. The much-ballyhooed goal of cutting the deficit in half over the course of four years has been wildly missed.
This year we’ve got a fighting chance to get our economy moving, get Americans working, and tackle long-overdue projects to modernize crumbling infrastructure. Nearly everyone agrees that making fiscally responsible investments in our transportation and infrastructure is a legitimate function of government—and that it can pave the way for stronger economic growth and job creation. Congress must push through the gridlock that has contributed to our idling economy and move on core transportation bills—now.
Assaults on the free enterprise system have gone global. We’ve heard them in the United States for months. But a debate recently erupted at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where some critics suggested that capitalism was to blame for the European debt crisis, widespread unemployment, and the fragile state of the world’s economy. Some officials in Davos went so far as to call for a complete overhaul of the free market system. Are they right? Is capitalism broken? Is the free market system failing us? Not on your life.
We are a nation of immigrants bound together by the unique American ideals of individual freedom and responsibility and driven by the limitless opportunities of free enterprise. These powerful draws of freedom and opportunity have brought the world’s best and brightest to our shores for generations. Immigrants helped lay the economic foundation of our country, and they can play an equally important role in our future.
The Chamber stands ready to work with the administration and both parties in Congress to create American jobs without raising taxes or adding to the deficit.
Tonight the president will give his annual State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress, followed by a response from Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels of Indiana. What would the U.S. Chamber and the business community most like to hear from these speakers and in the reactions from members of Congress?
Each year at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce we take stock of the state of American business and chart the year ahead. As we begin 2012, the state of business is improving, but it is doing so weakly, slowly, and insufficiently to put enough of our country back to work.
We are just days into 2012 and already the demands of a frantic election season threaten to draw time, attention, and focus away from our nation’s most pressing priorities. Our country can’t afford 2012 to be a wasted year in Washington. With chronically high unemployment and a mounting deficit, a year of inaction by the administration and Congress would hold severe consequences for our sluggish economy.
Is it just me, or does it seem like EPA regulators are writing new rules in an alternate reality? Maybe it’s a gravity-free zone in which the burden of a growing federal bureaucracy doesn’t weigh down the economy.
As GOP presidential caucuses and primaries kick into full gear, some elected leaders in Washington are settling into campaign mode themselves, avoiding tough issues, neglecting what they were elected to do, and instead drawing lines in the sand preparing for campaign season.
Washington seems to be stuck in neutral when it comes to some of the most basic responsibilities of government, like reauthorizing core transportation programs or extending key tax provisions. In stark contrast, it is in regulatory overdrive.
A rare point of consensus in Washington today is that we need jobs—a lot of them and fast. But agreement on how to get those jobs can be elusive. So when we can rally folks around a job-creating policy—even a small one—that’s good for business, good for government, and good for American workers, we’ve got to jump on it. Action on the smaller opportunities should drive momentum for the big ones.
America’s global trade agenda stands at a crossroads. With the victory of passing long-delayed free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea behind us, new challenges and opportunities in trade loom large. Moving forward boldly is no longer a luxury—it’s an economic imperative.
Time ran out for the debt supercommittee to find at least $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion in savings over the next decade. While the committee failed to meet the initial deadline this week, its work can and should continue. Congress still has until December 23 to pass a plan and avert deep, automatic cuts called sequestration. By missing this week’s deadline, Congress will only have forfeited the filibuster-proof protections. And the committee can still pass a deal, even a smaller one—that would represent progress.
This Veterans Day, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and businesses across America highlighted one of the most tangible ways to honor our veterans: meaningful employment opportunities.
Nationwide, 1 million veterans are out of work. A staggering 27% of young veterans aged 18 to 24 are unemployed. An
This Veterans Day, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and businesses across America highlighted one of the most tangible ways to honor our veterans: meaningful employment opportunities.
Nationwide, 1 million veterans are out of work. A staggering 27% of young veterans aged 18 to 24 are unemployed. And as forces are drawn down in Iraq and Afghanistan, tens of thousands of servicemembers will separate from the military and enter the civilian workforce. We must welcome these heroes home to an open, robust job market and work to stem the rising tide of veterans’ unemployment.
For years, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has fought a provision that would give the IRS sweeping authority to hold hostage 3% of nearly every business transaction that takes place between the public and private sectors. The 3% withholding tax effectively grants the federal government an interest-fr
For years, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has fought a provision that would give the IRS sweeping authority to hold hostage 3% of nearly every business transaction that takes place between the public and private sectors. The 3% withholding tax effectively grants the federal government an interest-free loan. Worse still, the costs and burdens of the provision far outweigh any benefits.
When every responsible party in America is focused on economic growth and job creation, some lawyers are looking for ways to line their own pockets—at the expense of jobs, the economy, and even their own clients. In their endless pursuit of new lawsuit opportunities, their latest tactic is to get financiers to back litigation. These so-called lawsuit investors put up the money for a lawsuit in exchange for a cut of the settlement.
Some policymakers in Washington think it’s a good idea to grow the size and scope of the federal government and stick America’s wealthier citizens with the bill. But this strategy has disastrous consequences for job creation and economic growth.
Editor’s Note: This weekly column is written by U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO, Thomas J. Donohue. Read more from the official blog of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ChamberPost.
Nearly two weeks ago, something remarkable happened in Washington. Congress passed—overwhelmingly—f
Nearly two weeks ago, something remarkable happened in Washington. Congress passed—overwhelmingly—free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama, and South Korea. Strong bipartisan majorities came together and voted for these long-delayed trade pacts. The president signed them. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has pushed for them for five years. And, as a result of these agreements, hundreds of thousands of Americans will find jobs, and businesses will have access to new markets and customers.
The last time anyone tried to overhaul the federal regulatory process, Harry Truman was president, Frank Sinatra and Bette Davis were in their prime, and the microwave oven was a modern marvel.
Today’s regulatory system is no modern marvel. Instead, the complex, antiquated system has become a mod
The last time anyone tried to overhaul the federal regulatory process, Harry Truman was president, Frank Sinatra and Bette Davis were in their prime, and the microwave oven was a modern marvel.
Today’s regulatory system is no modern marvel. Instead, the complex, antiquated system has become a modern liability for our nation’s businesses. The regulatory burden and the uncertainty surrounding many new rules in the pipeline—to be heaped on top of the 175,000 regulations already on the books—are a major drag on business expansion, investment, and jobs.
Passing these trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia, and Panama represents a victory for American workers, American competitiveness, and American leadership. It means we will immediately stop losing jobs to our competitors who have cut their own deals and we can start creating hundreds of
The health care law is becoming a sad tale of promises broken and predictions fulfilled. The administration promised that the sweeping overhaul of the health care system would drive premiums down. It hasn’t, nor is it likely to—ever. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, health policy experts, and business owners across the nation warned that the health reform law would have the opposite effect. And costs are, indeed, going up.
I recently visited Banff, Canada to speak about energy policy at the Global Business Forum, and I was reminded of an arresting statistic. In June, more jobs were created in the province of Alberta than in the entire United States. How? Canada is embracing its vast natural resources and expanding i
I recently visited Banff, Canada to speak about energy policy at the Global Business Forum, and I was reminded of an arresting statistic. In June, more jobs were created in the province of Alberta than in the entire United States. How? Canada is embracing its vast natural resources and expanding its role as an energy super power.
America needs to take some decisive steps of its own.
Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is hosting a forum to highlight the importance of high-skilled immigration reform to U.S. businesses and to our nation’s ability to innovate and compete in the global marketplace.
This is a critical conversation, and we’ve assembled some of the leading voices i
The tax debate is heating up—and so is the rhetoric surrounding it. The president recently delivered an impassioned speech calling for tax code “fairness,” arguing “wealthy” Americans aren’t paying their fair share. He also maintained Warren Buffett paid a lower tax rate than his secretary and pro
While the president’s jobs plan contains some ideas that American business supports, it falls short by focusing too much on government spending and temporary tax breaks and too little on the trade, energy, tax, regulatory, and entitlement reforms we need.
The proposed payroll tax cut might give s
While the president’s jobs plan contains some ideas that American business supports, it falls short by focusing too much on government spending and temporary tax breaks and too little on the trade, energy, tax, regulatory, and entitlement reforms we need.
This opinion piece was authored by Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue and originally appeared in The Wall Street Journal.
While the jobs plan President Obama proposed last week contains some ideas that American business supports, it falls short. It focuses too much on government spendi
President Obama’s recent call for withdrawal of a disastrous new ozone rule was a step in the right direction. The president can’t offer a serious jobs plan with one hand and expect it to succeed while his other hand tightens the regulatory grip on America’s job creators.
Since the Environmental
President Obama’s recent call for withdrawal of a disastrous new ozone rule was a step in the right direction. The president can’t offer a serious jobs plan with one hand and expect it to succeed while his other hand tightens the regulatory grip on America’s job creators.
It seems like everyone in Washington has a jobs plan these days. While the focus is welcome, the talk must translate into meaningful action. The 25 million Americans who are unemployed, underemployed, or have stopped looking for work want to hear specific ideas that will jump-start job creation—and they want to see Congress act on them.
We’ve put together a jobs plan, based on practical, private sector solutions that we’re sending to the president and Congress today:
The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction—the so-called super committee—needs to act expeditiously to rein in spending, reduce the deficit, and ultimately lower America’s level of debt.
Enhancing economic and job growth is a prerequisite for achieving these goals, but growth alone will no
The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction—the so-called super committee— needs to act expeditiously to rein in spending, reduce the deficit, and stabilize and, ultimately, lower America’s level of debt.
Enhancing economic and job growth is a prerequisite for achieving these goals, but growth alone will not be enough. The only way to tame the deficit and put us on a path to long-term growth and job creation is through reforming entitlements and restructuring the U.S. tax code.
The White House has once again signaled that it is pivoting back to jobs, and President Obama will reportedly give a “major speech” on job creation in September. Here at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where we remain sharply focused on job creation, it is a welcome move. But for the president’s piv
The White House has once again signaled that it is pivoting back to jobs, and President Obama will reportedly give a “major speech” on job creation in September. Here at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, where we remain sharply focused on job creation, it is a welcome move. But for the president’s pivot to be meaningful, it needs to be followed by a big step back from onerous regulatory proposals that would kill millions of jobs with no proven benefits to offset this hurt.
With our credit downgraded, stock prices falling, economic recovery sputtering, and hope running out for millions of unemployed workers, this may seem like an unusual time to talk about America’s strengths. In fact, it’s the best time. Wallowing in self-doubt will get us nowhere. By harnessing our
With our credit downgraded, stock prices falling, economic recovery sputtering, and hope running out for millions of unemployed workers, this may seem like an unusual time to talk about America’s strengths. In fact, it’s the best time. Wallowing in self-doubt will get us nowhere. By harnessing our extraordinary advantages, we can create new growth, jobs, and opportunities for Americans.
From the very beginning of the great debt ceiling debate, the U.S. Chamber underscored the critical importance of avoiding a first-ever default of the United States and the need for sensible reductions in spending to prevent the nation from eventually lapsing into insolvency. A default would destr
Now that a debt ceiling and deficit reduction agreement has been reached, the White House and Congress have announced, once again, that they are pivoting back to jobs. Refocusing attention on Americans’ highest priority is welcome as long as it is real. Good intentions and great speeches are nic
The White House and Congress did the right thing by passing bipartisan legislation to cut federal spending and raise the debt ceiling. While far from perfect, this bill begins the process of getting America’s fiscal house in order and was necessary to avoid a default that would have resulted in an
Pending free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Korea, and Panama have languished for so long that it’s worthwhile to remind Washington policymakers what these agreements are all about: jobs for American workers and fairness for American businesses.
If these free trade agreements are passed,
Pending free trade agreements (FTAs) with Colombia, Korea, and Panama have languished for so long that it’s worthwhile to remind Washington policymakers what these agreements are all about: jobs for American workers and fairness for American businesses.
Before the most expansive overhaul of our financial regulatory system in decades became law, one of its chief authors, Sen. Chris Dodd, said, “No one will know until this is actually in place how it works.” One year later, the real impact of the Dodd-Frank Act largely remains a mystery.
It’s a my
Before the most expansive overhaul of our fi nancial regulatory system in decades became law, one of its chief authors, Sen. Chris Dodd, said, “No one will know until this is actually in place how it works.” One year later, the real impact of the Dodd-Frank Act largely remains a mystery.
The 26 foot tall banner that stretches across the front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Washington, D.C., spells out our nation’s biggest challenge and our highest priority in one word—J-O-B-S. That banner has served as a reminder to us and to all of Washington for nearly 15 months
The 26 foot tall banner that stretches across the front of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce headquarters in Washington, D.C., spells out our nation’s biggest challenge and our highest priority in one word—J-O-B-S. That banner has served as a reminder to us and to all of Washington for nearly 15 months where our focus must be.
One of the bold—and broken—promises made by supporters of the health care law was that it would reduce health care costs and bring health spending under control. Though many provisions have yet to be implemented, health costs are actually rising, and they will continue to climb as other parts of t
One of the bold—and broken—promises made by supporters of the health care law was that it would reduce health care costs and bring health spending under control. Though many provisions have yet to be implemented, health costs are actually rising, and they will continue to climb as other parts of the law, like the employer mandate, take effect.
There’s a saying, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” Some business opponents have turned that phrase on its head—if they can’t win the war of ideas with business in the political arena, then they seek to exclude business’ voice from the national debate
altogether. Examples abound.
Recently,
There’s a saying, “If you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” Some business opponents have turned that phrase on its head—if they can’t win the war of ideas with business in the political arena, then they seek to exclude business’ voice from the national debate altogether. Examples abound.
As Americans grow increasingly frustrated with the failed economic policies coming from Washington, they can turn to the states for some good news. A number of states have adopted successful policies to create jobs, control taxes and spending, and spur growth. What do these economically successful
As Americans grow increasingly frustrated with the failed economic policies coming from Washington, they can turn to the states for some good news. A number of states have adopted successful policies to create jobs, control taxes and spending, and spur growth. What do these economically successful states have in common? They commit to free enterprise principles.
One major factor hobbling our recovery is the inability to build anything anywhere in a timely manner. It doesn’t matter how large or small the project is. The reason: Complying with myriad regulations—and dealing with the inevitable lawsuits—isn’t worth it. Streamlining the permitting process, a small issue in the grand scheme of things, could have an outsized positive impact on the economy. How do we do it?
In May, federal agencies issued the results of their efforts to identify existing regulations “that are out-of-date, unnecessary, excessively burdensome, or in conflict with other rules.”
They certainly had a lot to choose from. There are about 180,000 regulations on the books costing Americans $1.7 trillion a year in compliance costs. Many are necessary; some are not. Although we have yet to review all the details, it appears that the administration is making some commonsense recommendations that will save businesses time, money, headaches, and resources.
The nearly 2,000-mile-long border separating the United States and Mexico is one of the most frequently crossed and perhaps most economically significant international borders in the world. Every day, more than $1 billion worth of goods—much of it produced by U.S. small businesses and farmers—cross the U.S.-Mexico border. Increased trade resulting from NAFTA has added 1.7 million jobs to the U.S. economy.
The results are in on the Obama administration’s four-month review designed to identify existing regulations “that are out-of-date, unnecessary, excessively burdensome, or in conflict with other rules.”
This Memorial Day roughly 1 million veterans were looking for jobs. The 11.5% unemployment rate for post-9/11 veterans last year was well above the national average. And more than a quarter of the veterans between the ages of 18 and 24 are currently without work.
The U.S. Chamber this week is hosting a record-breaking crowd for its annual America’s Small Business Summit 2011. More than 600 small business owners have gathered in Washington to lobby their elected officials, share best practices, network with their peers, hear from some tremendous speakers, and get the latest on the legislative and regulatory developments impacting their companies.
You know the nation is on a slippery slope when the government feels free to interfere in legitimate and reasonable business decisions so that it can reward politically favored groups. That’s exactly what’s happening in a complaint filed by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)—the most powerful government agency you may never have heard of—against Boeing.
Today, Senator Leahy and nine other Senators introduced the PROTECT IP Act, legislation that will crack down on websites dedicated to online piracy and counterfeiting. This measure will provide an enhanced legal tool against “rogue sites,” which steal American jobs and threaten consumers’ health a
Few laws have been more hotly debated in the last decade than the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, better known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Nearly 10 years since its passage, we have an excellent opportunity to reauthorize and strengthen it.
Lean, productive, and efficient aren’t words that leap to mind when most Americans think about the federal government—and with good reason! Our government has grown too large, redundant, and wasteful. A wit once said, “For every action there is an equal and opposite government program.”
It’s beginning to feel like 2008 again. In the summer of that year, gas prices reached all-time highs, digging the economy deeper into recession. Because Congress failed to address our fundamental energy problems then, it consigned Americans to a future of erratic energy prices.
Today, with unrest in North Africa and the Middle East riling the markets and crude oil prices at historic highs, gas prices are again on the rise, threatening to steer our economic recovery off course.
Last week’s announcement by Standard & Poor’s that it was cutting the outlook on our nation’s long-term rating from stable to negative for the first time in 70 years was a cold, hard reality check—we need to get our fiscal house in order sooner, rather than later, or suffer the consequences.
The
Last week’s announcement by Standard & Poor’s that it was cutting the outlook on our nation’s long-term rating from stable to negative for the first time in 70 years was a cold, hard reality check—we need to get our fiscal house in order sooner, rather than later, or suffer the consequences.
It’s hard to imagine with 8.8% unemployment that America will soon be facing a worker shortage as 77 million baby boomers begin retiring. Many businesses already face a skills shortage, unable to find qualified workers for positions that are open. There is a great untapped resource, however, to which these businesses can turn—individuals with disabilities.
Are more lawsuits the answer to our sluggish economy? Certain trial lawyers seem to think so. They are working hard to make lawsuits a growing and thriving industry. They are exhibiting the same zeal, entrepreneurialism, and creativity as the small business innovators who are leading our economic
Are more lawsuits the answer to our sluggish economy? Certain trial lawyers seem to think so. They are working hard to make lawsuits a growing and thriving industry. They are exhibiting the same zeal, entrepreneurialism, and creativity as the small business innovators who are leading our economic recovery. The difference is that lawsuits undermine businesses of all sizes, our competitiveness, and our economic recovery.
The time is upon us. After more than four years of debate, a deal has been reached with the Colombia government on labor and judicial reforms that will open the door for Congressional approval of the long-pending U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.
After weeks of intense negotiations, I beli
The nation’s infrastructure—the lifeblood of our economy—is in rapid decline, the victim of underinvestment. A 2008 report estimated that the United States needs to invest $250 billion annually for the next 50 years to legitimately meet only surface transportation needs. We’re nowhere near that level of investment.
To ensure a more robust recovery, create jobs, and set the stage for long-term growth, we must make our flawed regulatory system smarter, less intrusive, and more accountable.
The regulatory state has grown to gargantuan proportions. At the federal level alone, regulations already fill 150,000 pages of fine-print text. They cost Americans $1.7 trillion a year, choke economic growth and entrepreneurship, and disproportionately impact small businesses.
The world is rallying around Japan as it deals with a triple crisis—damage from a 9.0 earthquake, devastation inflicted by the resulting tsunami, and prevention of a nuclear disaster. Last week, Japanese officials predicted that the cost of the disasters could top $300 billion. What can’t be calculated is the emotional and spiritual impact of thousands of dead, missing, and wounded and the hundreds of thousands who are displaced.
Being part of the solution—not the problem—requires you to assess the facts, understand underlying trends, and offer innovative, commonsense proposals. That’s why the U.S. Chamber has been doing a deep dive on how local, state, and federal regulations are impeding job creation and economic growth. Our top three priorities are jobs, jobs, and jobs—and a dramatically growing regulatory burden is holding us back.
A combination of federal, state, and local regulatory red tape is preventing American businesses from creating new green energy jobs and generating more than a trillion dollars in economic output. Is that acceptable with 8.9% unemployment and a struggling economy? Or is there a better way?
The Middle East is being transformed before our eyes—dictators in Egypt and Tunisia have fallen, and Gadhafi’s regime in Libya could be next. But what happens after tyrants are forced from power? How will the economic and political needs of these people be met? Free markets, representative government, and the rule of law are not inevitable—they are the product of time and effort. That’s why the Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) is so important.
The fiscal crisis in many states has crested recently as reform-minded governors seek to avert insolvency and address structural budget problems. While many factors have contributed to state budget woes—including declining revenues, rising health care costs, and chronic over-spending—unaffordable
Politics can make for strange bedfellows. Case in point: Last week I joined AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka to testify on infrastructure investment before the Senate Environment & Public Works Committee. Rich and I don’t agree on much, but we believe that modernizing infrastructure will create jobs and economic growth.
President Obama made the short trek across Lafayette Park from the White House last week to address the U.S. Chamber. Referring to what’s often described in the press as a contentious relationship between the administration and the Chamber, the president quipped, “… maybe if we had brought over a fruitcake when I first moved in, we would have gotten off to a better start.”
Buoyed by two major court decisions ruling part or all of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to be unconstitutional, Senate Republicans last week took an unsuccessful run at repealing the new health care law. Although the House passed repeal legislation on January 19, it was always considered unlikely that the Senate would successfully follow suit. Even if it had, President Obama surely would have vetoed the bill. But none of this changes the fact that the law is impractical, unworkable, and a major step backward.
More Work Needs to Be Done
By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
By Tom Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of CommerceFebruary 1, 2011
President Obama highlighted the urgent need to revitalize our economy, create jobs, build a world-class infrastructure system, and strengthen America’s competitiveness in his State of the Union address. America must move swiftly to create millions of jobs, unshackle entrepreneurs and small business
By Tom Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of CommerceJanuary 25, 2011
by Tom DonohuePresident Obama's appointment of Jeffrey Immelt to head the Council on Jobs and Competitiveness is a promising step toward a renewed focus on creating jobs, boosting economic growth, and enhancing America's global competitiveness. Jeff is an excellent choice to lead this effort with hi
We welcome President Obama’s intention to issue an executive order today restoring balance to government regulations.
While a positive first step, a robust and globally competitive economy requires fundamental reform of our broken regulatory system. Congress should reclaim some of the authority it
By Tom Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of CommerceJanuary 11, 2011
By Tom Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of CommerceJanuary 11, 2011
By Tom Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of CommerceJanuary 4, 2011
On Election Day, the American people gave their representatives marching orders: Create jobs and grow the economy, and do it on a bipartisan basis. A good place to start is with the Korea-U.S. (KORUS) free trade agreement.
President Obama has made completing the deal a top priority of his administr
Election Day is now two weeks behind us. The analyses and recriminations were many, and the "What does it mean?" debates will likely continue until the next election, when they will begin anew. Such is life for those whose job it is to analyze and propound on such things. But for us, as the voice
The American people have spoken loud and clear. They want their newly elected Congress to focus on job creation and economic growth. Voters rejected increased government spending, higher taxes, a government takeover of health care, and the burdensome regulations that have delayed our recovery
Today, a regulatory hurricane threatens our economy and its ability to create the 20 million new jobs that we need by the end of this decade. It’s been building up strength for some time. Over the last several decades, more than 100,000 regulations have been issued, many of which impose heavy burdens on our job creators.
“Where’s the recovery?” That’s the question millions of unemployed Americans continue to ask. Unemployment still hovers near 10%, the economy is still sluggish, and poverty is on the rise. Washington’s policy prescriptions—more taxing, more spending, and more government control of the economy—haven
For the naysayers who argue that American manufacturing is dead (it’s not!), let me suggest that they take a look at what’s happening in the aerospace industry. Despite the recent economic downturn, aerospace achieved $215 billion in sales last year, all while providing more than 644,000 good-payin
A concerted effort by the business community helped prevent the badly named DISCLOSE (Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections) Act from reaching a vote on the Senate floor in June. But the lack of support apparently wasn’t enough to deter proponents from vowing to take another stab at it when Congress reconvenes in September.
With the passage of the DISCLOSE Act the Democratic majority in the House has jammed through a piece of legislation that clearly violates the Constitution, as well as basic principles of fairness and equity. The Supreme Court calls it ‘viewpoint discrimination,’ and every first-year law student kno
from ICW
2010 could be a landmark year for education reform. The Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)—better known as No Child Left Behind—is up for reauthorization, giving Congress and the Obama administration the opportunity to strengthen a law passed with bipartisan support that is producing rea
It is often said that the budget is a statement of priorities. If that’s the case, the Obama administration’s FY 2011 budget should give the American people reason to worry. The proposals, if enacted, would significantly expand an already swollen deficit, dramatically increase taxes amidst a weak e
Today, many Americans look at our financial markets and wonder what happened. How did it all go wrong? And what is being done about it?
Getting a financial regulatory reform bill done this year is critical to our economic recovery and to get job growth back on track. Democrats and Republicans must
Leave it to the plaintiffs' trial lawyers to add insult to injury. While American businesses and families spent 2009 coping with the effects of a severe recession, the plaintiffs' bar was hard at work bringing a whole new round of outrageous lawsuits on behalf of clients hoping to get rich quick by
Our economic platform is running out of capacity and it is dangerously declining in quality and safety. To meet our infrastructure needs, we need to boost public investments while working to ensure that the money is spent wisely in areas of genuine need. Reauthorization of the nation’s core highway
We need jobs and we can create jobs by doubling U.S. exports in five years. This is an ambitious yet achievable goal. But to get there, we need a bold and aggressive trade policy—something we don’t have today. The rest of the world is not waiting around for the United States. Countries are busy mak
At the outset of this New Year, there are some encouraging signs that the state of American business is improving. After almost two years in a severe recession, the economy began growing again in the third quarter of 2009—by 2.2 percent. Fourth quarter growth could be significantly higher, but we s
// Full letter to the President available here
To the President of the United States:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce wants to extend our enthusiastic support for this week’s White House jobs summit. This can be a positive first step toward the creation of the 20 million new jobs that our American Fre
The health care reform debate has had more plot twists and drama than a soap opera--and there's more to come! The latest development is passage of a bill by the Senate Finance Committee. Although it is the best bill yet, the committee missed an opportunity to craft truly bipartisan legislation. Here's what the U.S. Chamber likes and doesn't like about it.
With Congress and the nation trying to tackle so many issues at once—the economy, health care, energy, climate change, financial reform, transportation, and the list goes on—one might wonder how an issue like intellectual property could gain much traction. I would argue that IP is more important th
by Tom Donohue
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce continues to support strong federal legislation and a binding international agreement to reduce carbon emissions and address climate change.
We believe that in order to succeed, any climate change response must include all major CO2 emitting economies, p
by Tom Donohue Despite the benefits and realities of open trade, there are those who want to turn inward and erect new barriers to our markets. Some do so out of fear, some out of ignorance, and some out of pure political and economic self-interest. These voices reside in both political parties, in
by Tom Donohue Anyone who doubts that trade creates jobs should consider that 57 million American workers are already employed by firms that benefit from exports. One in five factory jobs depends on exports, and one in three acres on American farms is planted for hungry consumers overseas. U.S. serv
by Tom Donohue Whether we are talking about a single industry or the nation as a whole, the timeless values of free enterprise can overcome any economic challenge thrown in our path. History proves it. We must now reaffirm these values and put them to work in creating jobs and opportunities for all
Labor Day is generally a time of celebration for the nation's unions, but this past one wasn't. Gallup delivered a big dose of bad news—its latest poll shows that public support for labor unions is at an all-time low. In fact, 51% of Americans say that unions hurt the U.S. economy, up from just 36%
Despite the headlines, health care and climate change aren’t the only issues that Congress will consider this fall. Also up for possible consideration is the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) Act, legislation that would dramatically reshape consumer finance. This bill, said to be a respon
Some may remember the old country song “Looking for Love in All the Wrong Places.” Something similar is happening in Washington today—politicians are looking for recovery in all the wrong places, namely, more government programs and spending. Instead, they should look to small businesses, which hav
Remarks at the NASDAQ opening bell this morning
I have the privilege of going to work every day and representing millions of businesses that make our country great. They are the job creators, the innovators, and the men and women who start small and dream big. They are the people who make our econ
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President Tom Donohue sat down with Chris Wallace on Fox News Sunday to discuss the Chamber's new Campaign for Free Enterprise.
Tomorrow I will join House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel and other House leaders today in backing moves to ease restrictions on trade and travel to Cuba while outlining several reasons the Chamber is calling for a complete lifting of the embargo.
There are significant benefits o
Earlier this week I sent a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder highlighting widespread evidence of asbestos litigation fraud and the necessity of immediate and serious intervention. To protect the integrity of the U.S. civil justice system the Department of Justice must prioritize and complete i
Small businesses are used to complying with burdensome, costly, and complicated regulations. Like death and taxes, they are impossible to avoid! But now we may be on the verge of the mother of all regulations. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set in motion a process that could result i
Small businesses not only generate 60% to 80% of net new job growth and most American innovations, but they will also be the ones to lead us out of this economic recession. That’s why the U.S. Chamber is committed to ensuring that small businesses have an environment in which they can grow and succ
How can this be? Some environmental activists and their Not In My Backyard (NIMBY) allies—who should be the strongest "green" energy supporters of all—are using every resource at their disposal to block, delay, or cancel clean energy projects. They have organized local opposition, changed zoning la
On CNBC this morning Tom Donohue clearly laid out the card check issue:
A few weeks ago I warned about backdoor attempts to move toward a government-run health care system and the need to debate all reforms openly and honestly. After all, health care spending represents about 16% of our economy. Any successful attempt to reduce costs, improve service, and expand covera
Our $2.2 trillion health care system represents 16% of our economy. While polls consistently find that health care is a top national concern, many Americans are increasingly frustrated that nothing is being done. The truth is there are many changes taking place under the radar, and not all of them
Late last week the U.S. Senate, with the backing of President Obama, agreed to revise a controversial "Buy American" provision in the stimulus bill. The change is designed to ensure that its implementation would not place the United States in violation of world trade rules that we have not only swo
You’ve heard me say it before—Congress must pass an economic stimulus package as soon as possible to help jumpstart the economy, get credit flowing again, and create jobs. The U.S. Chamber agrees with President Obama, members of Congress, and most economic experts that a timely, targeted, and tempo
You've heard me say it before—Congress must pass an economic stimulus package as soon as possible to help jumpstart the economy, get credit flowing again, and create jobs. The U.S. Chamber agrees with President Obama, members of Congress, and most economic experts that a timely, targeted, and temporary stimulus bill could help blunt the impact of the current recession and put us on a path toward growth. But, as always, the devil is in the details!
U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue was in Beijing yesterday, from the wires:
China's trade slump worsened in December as exports fell at their fastest rate in a decade amid global economic turmoil, government data showed Tuesday, aggravating a decline that has fueled a wave of layoffs and
Many people argue that the current recession could approach the pain caused by the Great Depression of the 1930s. How are the situations alike, and how are they different? How is the U.S. Chamber responding today compared with how it responded in the 1930s? What conclusions can be drawn from histor
from BCLC
One of the wonderful aspects of the holiday season is the emphasis on giving to those in need. It's easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of modern life, but each December we are reminded that some things are more important than the next corporate earnings statement or the must-have produc
from EnergyXXI
This morning President-elect Barack Obama selected General James L. Jones (Ret.), president and CEO of the Chamber’s Institute for 21st Century Energy, as National Security Advisor.
General Jones is an outstanding choice to serve as President Obama’s National Security Advisor. In these difficult ti
U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue issued the following statement on the announcement of President-elect Barack Obama's economic team:
President-elect Obama has chosen a strong, experienced economic team. Restoring the nation's economic health must be our top priority an
No matter which candidate you supported, we can all agree that restoring economic growth and creating jobs should be the nation's top priority. The U.S. economy is in a recession and continues to be buffeted by the collapse of the housing market, a severe liquidity crisis, and the deleveraging of f
from EnergyXXI
Two weeks ago, voters delivered a loud and clear message—they want change and they want results. For too long, America’s big challenges have gone unaddressed because of excessive partisanship, infighting among stakeholders, a refusal to make short-term sacrifices for long-term gain, and a lack of f
U.S. Chamber president and CEO Tom Donohue has sent the following congratulatory letter to President-elect Barack Obama.
Dear Mr. President-elect:
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, representing 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, extends to you our sincere congrat
We would like to congratulate and look forward to working with President-elect Obama and the new Congress to help quickly restore economic growth, ensure a smooth transition of power, and tackle the many serious issues facing the country.
Restoring the nation’s economic health must be our top prior
by Tom Donohue Great elections in U.S. history haven’t centered on campaign tactics, personalities, or abstract promises of change, but on big ideas. After a prolonged primary process, the sensation surrounding some historic candidates, and a major financial crisis, we’re just now breaking through t
An often overlooked way to improve our troubled education system is to increase the number of and funding for charter schools. These independent schools are designed to provide tuition-free public education for students and their parents, liberate teachers and administrators from red tape, and allo
In just under two weeks from Americans will vote in the most significant election in a generation. The decisions made by the next president and next Congress will impact American businesses and families for years to come. Voters must carefully examine where the candidates stand on important issues s
As a consequence of our economic crisis, oil is once again trading for under $100 a barrel. This has provided Americans with modest relief at the gas pump, but it has done little to relieve their anxiety about the future. I have every confidence that economic recovery will come, but we cannot meet
Given the urgent challenges confronting the American economy, why do I want to devote today’s column to protecting intellectual property (IP) and preventing IP theft, counterfeiting, and piracy? Because America’s ability to compete in the global economy and create 21st century jobs for our children
The defeat of the financial rescue plan in the House of Representatives yesterday dealt a needless blow to an already faltering economy. Investors lost $1.2 trillion in wealth. Confidence that our elected leaders are capable of solving big challenges was further shaken. And, we continue to invite a
If you’ve been holding your breath until Congress enacts sensible energy legislation, you’d better exhale before you pass out. Last week the House approved the Comprehensive American Energy Security and Consumer Protection Act, which can only be described as a few small steps forward and several gi
Finally, the major presidential candidates have started talking about education. In a major speech last week, Sen. Barack Obama said that he wants to double funding for charter schools, pay teachers based on performance, and create a new $500 million matching fund for technology in the classroom.
A
Business bashing has long been a favorite pastime by many in the mainstream media. The business community has its share of rotten apples like any other profession, and the media are right to report on them, even if their coverage is often sensationalized. But the media have a responsibility to repo
The Census Bureau reported last year that almost 47 million people were uninsured in America for at least part of 2006. The report for 2007, issued last month, showed a slight drop to 45.7 million. While we welcome the decline, we need to fix the problem that there are millions of Americans who do
An important account in the federal Highway Trust Fund will run out of money this month, which could hamper completion of road and bridge construction projects across the country, Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters said on Friday. Because the fund is draining away so fast, the Transportation D
It seems pundits declare every election the most important one in a generation, but this time they could actually be right! This election will help decide one fundamental question: Will America’s economy remain free and open—generating jobs, prosperity, and opportunity—or will it be saddled with ex
When it comes to attacks on corporate America, history tends to repeat itself. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) recently issued its report on corporate tax liabilities, as it has for many years. And once again, its data are being twisted and misinterpreted by those seeking to demonize the
Congress may be in the middle of a month-long recess, many Washingtonians may have fled the sweltering weather for friendlier climes, and the town may have slowed to a crawl, but nothing can stop the inexorable march of the nation’s massive regulatory system
A recent report from the Competitive Ent
All eyes are on China this week as the summer Olympics get under way. You can’t pick up a newspaper, watch a newscast, or browse a blog without some examination of China’s new role on the world stage and its relationship with the United States.
Just where do things stand between the United States a
You have to hand it to the trial bar—it’s nothing if not innovative. Its latest scheme to bilk consumers and businesses through more lawsuits involves one of the oldest games in town—passing legislation to advance a special interest.
Most Americans are familiar with earmarks, congressional provisio
"Naked short selling" and the impact of manipulative behavior on investors and markets have been big news recently. Unfortunately, there’s also been a lot of misinformation about what it really means for investors.
First, remember that legitimate short selling is a good thing. It is simply a bet ag
You can’t say today’s union leaders don’t appreciate irony. Last week, one of the nation’s largest unions held a global rally protesting our system of free enterprise and capital investment. The union called it the "Take Back Our Economy" rally. Well, if it manages to push through its radical agend
In an effort to jumpstart the Doha round – the latest “round” of multilateral trade negotiations – the world’s leading trade ministers are gathering in Geneva next week. To bridge their differences, the negotiators will need some of the same determination the world’s post-war leaders displayed 60
Some in the business community - indeed, many of our citizens - are worried about the future. They see America challenged like never before. They see the inability of our elected officials to tackle big problems. They see a loss of business support in Congress after the November elections.
So what
Underneath Americans’ joy and hoopla while celebrating the Fourth of July was deepseated doubt about our country’s ability to compete and win in a rapidly changing world.
Pick up any paper or watch any newscast and you’re sure to see a commentator saying that America is in decline and is incapable
A global energy summit held June 22 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, underscored the essential role of international cooperation in meeting global energy demand. The summit also highlighted the importance of the private sector in securing energy for the growing global economy.
The fact that business inter
It seems preposterous when it comes to health care, to say that we have only one need, but that is what it boils down to. The United States needs to have the best health care system in the world, period. The trick is figuring out how to build it, how to maintain it, and how to improve access, qual
The failure of the U.S. transportation network to meet the needs of a growing population and economy is already having an impact on everything from safety to the environment, from quality of life to economic growth. We must immediately reform the approach we take for funding, planning, and building
Summer was once anticipated to be a slow season in Washington D.C. otherwise they wouldn’t have built it in a swamp. Though sadly not run like one, government is a big business now and business doesn’t stop for heat or humidity. At the Chamber we are engaged in hundreds of issues which grow in co
It’s been a year since a hard fought, bipartisan, comprehensive immigration reform plan collapsed in the U.S. Senate among much rancor and finger-pointing. The emotionally charged debate rifted the nation, dividing communities and citizens and bringing protestors of all viewpoints out into the stre
Global climate change is well, global. I am not trying to be glib; the fact is that in order to be successful any long-term climate change action plan absolutely must include all carbon-emitting economies. The Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act, does not adequately address the international na
There have been many calls over the past few weeks for the U.S. to show leadership on climate change by passing the Lieberman-Warner Climate Security Act. While we all agree that action needs to be taken on climate change I have learned over the years that true leadership means doing the right thi
The Chamber has been celebrating Trade Month and the entire country is recognizing the benefits of trade this week, which is World Trade Week. That is why our International and TradeRoots teams are leading a delegation of Chamber members on lobbying visits to Capitol Hill today to urge Congress to
Now, in the context of today’s limited and incomplete health care debate, some will react to the areas of change and reform I have suggested by saying that this is all small stuff — that what we really need is that sweeping, top-down upheaval in American health care that can only happen through a f
by Tom Donohue
To build a better health care system we need to start with two key elements, dramatically reducing costs, and developing a more consumer driven system.
Let’s start with the single biggest barrier that puts coverage out of reach for many families and employers and threatens to drag dow
In the face of the challenges on health care I outlined earlier today, we are having the wrong conversation about health care in this country; or, at best, an incomplete conversation. Quite simply we are setting the wrong expectations for the American people, and nowhere is this more evident than o
I gave remarks yesterday to the Emergency Department Practice Management Association's Solutions Summit which this year focused "Strategies to Manage Health Care Change". I took one look at the title and I thought that’s ambitious...managing change in something as complex and multi-faceted as our
Only a real policy wonk could hope to sort out the dizzying array of complex proposals to address global climate change--cap-and-trade, emission credits, carbon sequestration, etc. But regardless of how complicated the problem is, decisions on how to deal with it cannot be left to Beltway bureaucra
The subprime mortgage crisis has many Americans wondering if regulators are exercising proper oversight of financial firms. One agency that has come under heavy criticism is the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). One of its major missions is policing the stock market.
Critics have accused th
The U.S. Chamber gets a lot of press, some good, some bad. Today, we have a good one, on the personnel page no less. The National Journal offers an excellent profile of the U.S. Chamber’s latest hire, Fran Townsend, as one of my senior advisors and outside consultants.
Fresh off of almost four
I applaud the U.S. House of Representatives for considering important legislation to strengthen intellectual property rights and enforcement. H.R. 4279, the "Prioritizing Resources and Organization for Intellectual Property Act (PRO-IP Act)," would toughen civil and criminal laws against counterfe
Sky-high oil and gas prices are socking Americans right in their wallets. Just last week, the average price for a gallon of gasoline rose to $3.51. In March alone, consumer energy prices rose 1.9%. Many of the elderly and the poor are being forced to choose between filling their tanks with gas or t
Small business owners are America’s unsung heroes. The nation’s 27 million small businesses represent more than 99% of all employers, account for about half of all private sector workers, and create 60%-80% of the nation’s net new jobs.
These dreamers and risk takers embody the entrepreneurial spir
Sky-high oil and gas prices are socking Americans right in their pocketbooks. Many of the elderly and the poor are being forced to choose between filling their tanks with gas or their cupboards with food. It’s time for Congress to stop wringing its hands and start acting.
If Congress is serious abo
Last week I discussed how the theft of intellectual property (IP) is really an attack on innovation and ideas, two things that drive America’s economy.
It’s easy to cite statistics that underscore the severity of the problem. For example, the theft of IP through counterfeiting and piracy costs the
Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson recently announced a sweeping plan to overhaul the rules and structures governing our financial markets. Many of the Secretary's recommendations were based on ideas the U.S. Chamber and others have suggested.
Secretary Paulson deserves great credit for moving the de
America’s economy is struggling. Health care costs are rising, gas prices are at record highs, and the subprime crisis is dramatically slowing the economy. The question on everyone’s mind is, Are we in a recession? The better question is, How can we succeed in the competitive worldwide economy?
Muc
//Updates and more information on the agreement and the Chamber's efforts can be found here and here.
Today President Bush announced that he will send the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement to Congress for consideration. The facts clearly call for approval of this 'fair trade' agreement, both
"Illicit: The Dark Trade", premiering tonight, and on PBS nationwide April 16th, is an important film which exposes the criminal networks behind the multibillion dollar global trade of illicit goods. These criminal networks are using sophisticated global distribution networks to peddle everything
I recently talked about the importance of vision and trade, both for Michigan and our nation as a whole. There’s something else I need to add—a modern, refurbished infrastructure system. And not just roads and bridges, but everything from power plants to broadband to dams.
Michigan relies on well-
Trade and the worldwide economy have helped bolster the balance sheets of American households by delivering higher incomes, lowering interest rates, and increasing investment opportunities. They have delivered lower prices, more choices, and higher worker compensation.
With such overwhelming eviden
I was in Michigan last fall to visit GM’s headquarters. Some of its executives were kind enough to pick me up at the airport. They came in a hybrid SUV, which gets about 50% better gas mileage in the city than GM’s nonhybrid models.
Once at headquarters, I was briefed on a dazzling array of new GM
Most Americans have decided that climate change is happening and that human activity is a contributing factor. Today, the real debate is over what to do about it. Policymakers and the public have a range of views about how we should respond to climate change—and so does the business community.
Wher
The subprime crisis and credit crunch have rejuvenated a public dialogue about the regulation of the U.S. capital markets.
By capital markets, I’m talking about the vast array of financial products and services—debt and equities securities, mutual funds, commodities and derivative products, credit
Primaries in Texas and Ohio today could determine the Democratic nominee for president. For many voters, the election will be a referendum on free trade, particularly the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Voters in Ohio don’t much like NAFTA; many in Texas do. As the Los Angeles Times (and other
Most Americans have decided that climate change is happening and that human activity is a contributing factor. Today, the real debate is over what to do about it. Policymakers and the public have a range of views about how we should respond to climate change—and so does the business community.
Where does the Chamber stand, and how are we approaching this debate?
I recently sent a letter to the Senate Republican Capital Markets Task Force outlining priorities we have identified for 2008 to ensure our nation's competitiveness in the global economy. From the letter:Improving the competitiveness of our markets should not begin or end with major reforms such a
For too long, America's education system has failed to equip students with the knowledge they need to make good financial decisions. An alarming number of adults are unable to balance a checkbook, understand the terms of a basic mortgage, realize the benefits of compound interest, and properly mana
Some of you thought I gave trial lawyers a bad rap in my piece two weeks ago about how the business community was challenging attempts by the plaintiffs' bar to stack state supreme courts with plaintiff-friendly judges. Some of you thought I was painting all trial lawyers with the same broad brush.
Last week we examined the strengths and weaknesses of the U.S. health care system. We pointed out that while America is home to some of the finest medical facilities and innovations, care is too expensive and our health care information technology (IT) is badly outdated. While we manage to cover ab
Tens of millions of American families now depend on thriving capital markets to grow their life savings and fund secure retirements. Every company, whether big or small, public or private, needs capital to run its business and create new jobs. This is why the competitiveness of U.S. capital markets
A relatively small group of class and mass action trial lawyers are abusing our legal system. Their tactics often amount to nothing less than legalized extortion.America's lawsuit system costs a quarter of a trillion dollars each year. Small businesses take a big hit, paying $98 billion in tort cos
by Tom Donohue
Americans have been captivated by the drama, excitement, and twists and turns of the presidential race. The major candidates have been drawing huge crowds. More people than ever are watching the televised debates. Everyone agrees this is a landmark election. Voters are fired up.
And
by Tom Donohue
Reforming health care has been a major issue in the presidential campaign. What the debate has lacked is an honest appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of our health care system.
On the positive side—which is too often ignored—we are home to the finest medical facilities, techno
There has been increasing whining from trial lawyers about the impact of “interest group politics” on state supreme court elections. In particular, there is a lot of moaning about “conflicts of interest” coming from judges having to raise money to run for office. The real problem is that trial lawy
Poll after poll shows that when it comes to trade, Americans not only view themselves as losers, but as victims. Trade and globalization have become scapegoats for all of our economic woes, from lost jobs to lower wages.Late last week a Fortune magazine poll found that 68% of Americans say our trad
Globalization — however one defines it — is becoming a favorite scapegoat among politicians, pundits, and the American people for the current economic slowdown. That globalization is unpopular is nothing new. A dynamic, rapidly changing, globally integrated economy — where some jobs disappear as ma
Keeping taxes down will help our economy avoid a recession. Keeping taxes down will allow America's overburdened taxpayers to keep more of their hard-earned money. Keeping taxes down will force Washington to trim the fat on wasteful spending.Unfortunately, federal and state lawmakers and a number o
Dear Governor Schwarzenegger, Governor Rendell and Mayor Bloomberg:
Congratulations on establishing the new Building America’s Future infrastructure coalition. You are on the right page. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is strongly supportive of transportation, energy and communications infrastructure
The Chamber supports the fundamental right of workers to choose whether they want to join or quit a union under impartial rules. Yet, using unfair tactics, many union leaders seek to turn back the clock and shackle our economy. They want to control the boardrooms of our best companies. They are wor
There is an energy crisis in America. We've heard about it on the news. We've seen it reflected in our international policy. We've felt it in our wallets at the gas pump.The Chamber has deployed a team of the nation's foremost energy experts and advocates to advance policies that address this crisi
There is a very good op-ed today in the New York Times by Steve Landsburg on "What to Expect When You're Free Trading" (h/t Cafe Hayak).
In an effort to put more money into the pockets of hardworking Americans and to make our businesses more competitive, we must support a system of free and fair tr
Yesterday Safeway CEO Steve Burd gave a speech in Arizona on market-based healthcare which led to this response:"Clearly the corporate sector are reading the tea leaves and feel compelled to find solutions to America's broken health care system."Quite frankly, our concern for health care is nothing
The ability to generate knowledge-based intellectual property (IP) is essential to America's prosperity and leadership. Counterfeiting, piracy, and IP theft cost U.S. companies $250 billion annually and 750,000 American jobs.Criminal networks are exploiting weaknesses in supply chains and enforceme
In addition to our education and workforce training priorities our nation must also enact a balanced, commonsense, and comprehensive immigration plan that secures our borders and provides the workers we need to compete and win in the global marketplace.In the absence of such a plan, states and loc
The time has come for a renewed commitment to consistency and quality in America's infrastructure. With each passing day, our bridges, roads, and rails are losing the capacity to handle a growing population and economy.One-third of our major roads are in poor or mediocre condition, and a quarter of
To maintain a competitive business environment in America, we need to have an accountable educational environment. We simply cannot have one without the other.For the American Dream to thrive, it will require economic prosperity and opportunity for every American--and that requires a quality educat
In about twenty minutes I will be delivering my annual State of American Business. While the economic fundamentals remain strong, Washington has failed to address the core competitive challenges that will drive growth in the 21st century.The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has been actively speaking out
Tomorrow I will be delivering my annual State of American Business address, laying out the Chamber's agenda for the year ahead; so I wanted to reflect today on the major policy victories in Congress and in the Regulatory Agencies the Chamber, working with many organizations, companies, coalitions,
Next Tuesday, January 8th, I will be delivering my annual State of American Business address, laying out the Chamber's agenda for the year ahead.
To remain the largest, most innovative, and dynamic economy in the world, the status quo isn't good enough. Our infrastructure is deteriorating, energy
The presidential election kicks off tomorrow with the Iowa caucuses, and that means the political rhetoric is being turned up. A lot of expensive promises have been made on the campaign trail, and all too often, the business community has come under attack.
Without a strong, growing economy and a v
by Tom Donohue
"I hope that we respond to the trouble with trade not by shutting trade down, but by doing things such as strengthening the social safety net."
Glad to see that Paul Krugman doesn't want to shut trade down, let's hope that the "social safety net" in his equation equals education.
A
The holiday season is about spending time with our family and loved ones. We should remember that many of our men and women in uniform will be separated from their families during this special time of year. We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices they make to protect o
Taxpayers would be outraged to learn how much of the money they pay in user-fees for roads, the aviation system, and other transportation systems are diverted to non-infrastructure projects like childhood obesity programs, "bridges to nowhere," or rain forest museums in Iowa. Politicians should sta
Let's start with a quote from "Tide Is Shifting On U.S. Exports" in the Washington Post today:
"For a long time people thought of globalization only as the loss of jobs," said Elliott Howard..."Now, I think of it as expanding the company."
Identifying and tapping into new markets are no longer lux
A few days ago the Royal Canadian Mounted Police raided a DVD counterfeiting ring that was capable of turning out 14,000 DVD’s a day. Good for them.
The downside to these types of stories hitting the news is that many people still believe that counterfeiting is still a matter of merely downloading
America is home to some of the finest medical facilities, technologies, innovations, treatments, and human talent. We cover 85% of our people, and the health sector is generating thousands of new jobs. At the same time, too many Americans are without insurance for various reasons, costs are too hig
"You used to be able to give better service; you used to be able to be better than everybody else. Now you have to watch your step because you're doing something that's going to expose you to some legal action." That's a quote from a business owner who tells his story on our new website iamlawsui
by Tom Donohue
The New York Times has an excellent editorial today pointing out:
"that Arizona’s plunge into enforcement-only immigration policy highlights the folly and inadequacy of that approach, particularly when it is left to a crazy quilt of state laws."
As a border state with a large immigran
By Tom Donohue
In recent months I’ve been traveling around the country delivering a series of speeches on challenges America must meet and master in order to succeed in a tough global economy. Together, these challenges comprise the Chamber’s competitiveness agenda. Over the next five years – and be
The subprime mortgage crisis caused a temporary paralysis in the credit markets and led some to speculate that the economy would soon slide into recession. How did this crisis evolve, how serious is it, and what does it tell us about the state of our capital markets?
