The U.S. Chamber in the news - August 14

Report: Corporate Interests ‘Tilt’ Courts, Reforms Needed

To reverse the rising influence of a flood of corporate interest spending on elected courts, reforms are critically needed to make the justice system work for all, not just for well-heeled special interests, a new Center for American Progress report said.

As special interest spending on judicial elections has exploded in the last two decades, one of the biggest and most powerful players has been the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the report said. The Chamber helped 21 of its 24 preferred judicial candidates win election between 2001 and 2003. In the latest high court election in Alabama, funds from the state’s chamber made up 40 percent of all campaign donations.

Industry seeks rehearing of greenhouse gas decision that favored US EPA

Led by the US Chamber of Commerce, energy interests and other industries have asked a full federal court to rehear their case against the US Environmental Protection Agency's regulation of greenhouse gas emissions after a three-judge panel unanimously upheld the agency's scientific finding and subsequent rules to reduce industry emissions linked to climate change.

U.S. to Lose 710,000 Jobs From Tax Rise, Chamber Says

The U.S. would lose 710,000 jobs and economic output would decline by 1.3 percent, or $200 billion, if tax cuts for high earners are allowed to lapse, said a report prepared for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other supporters of the tax breaks.

Clues to the Heist of American Economy Found in 40-Year-Old Memo

Our plot revolves around a six-page secret memo written over 40 years ago by the future Supreme Court Justice Lewis Powell, at the behest of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The memo, entitled "Attack on American Free Enterprise System", a free-market utopian treatise, called for a money fueled big business makeover of government through lobbying, corporate control of the media, academia, the pulpit, arts and sciences, and destruction of organized labor and consumer protection groups. Sound familiar?

Surprise! Corporations secretly investing in U.S. politics, increasing need for DISCLOSE Act

It is difficult, however, to determine how much money the corporation gave to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce — which plans to spend more than $50 million this year on political ads supporting conservative issue advocacy. Because the chamber is a non-profit organization, it can shield its donors — and the amounts they give — from the public. This condition will remain until Congress passes the DISCLOSE Act — the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act.