The U.S. Chamber in the News - October 10

Posted by Elizabeth Ben-Ishai on October 10, 2012

When the 'Umpire' Is Playing for the Other Team
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, for example, was 7-0 at the Supreme Court last term before the health care ruling. It's good to be Big Business in the batter's box. It's not so easy to stand in if you are a litigant opposing a corporate interest. [The Atlantic]

Super PAC spending is about to explode
Outside groups have already poured half a billion dollars into the 2012 elections, and they're just getting started. Another new phenomenon this year is a sharp uptick in spending from groups that don’t have to disclose their donors, including 501(c)4 social welfare organizations and 501(c)6 trade organizations, such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. So far this year, even before the final onslaught, these groups have spent more than all outside groups in 2010 combined, according to the CRP data.  [Salon]

Maine Senate candidates clash over outside money
Independent Angus King said pointing out policy differences is different from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce attack ads that called him ‘‘king of mismanagement’’ and ‘‘king of spending.’’ ‘‘A negative ad is when they put your picture on the scene with this dark photo and a crown on your head. ... That’s a negative ad,’’ King said. [Boston.com]

Outside groups injecting millions into NY’s 27th Congressional District race
In May the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has dropped about $200,000 in the district for Republican Chris Collins against Democratic incumbent Kathleen C. Hochul, and is back again with another TV buy estimated at $200,000. [Buffalo News]

U.S. Chamber Applauds Legislation to Ease Lending from International Institutions to Myanmar
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today applauded the president for signing into law last week HR 6431, which restrictions on international financial institutions that lend to Myanmar.  [Chamber PR]

Chevron Fails to Squelch $19 Billion Ecuador Verdict
Despite backing from the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S.
Chamber of Commerce, Chevron failed to convince the Supreme Court to intervene in a pending pollution lawsuit in which a provincial court in Ecuador in 2011 imposed a landmark verdict against the oil company. The damages assessed against Chevron now total $19 billion, making the judgment the largest of its kind in history. [Business Week]

Business groups warn Congress on “fiscal cliff’
Leaders from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) and the National Retail Federation (NRF) warned lawmakers against raising taxes when they return after the election.  [The Hill]

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Just In

New U.S. Chamber attacks on corporate political spending disclosure are a good sign

How can you tell that momentum is building for change?

Well, one good sign is that the opposition starts getting nervous about your progress.

That’s why we took it as a positive sign that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce recently stepped up attacks on shareholders who attempt to make companies disclose political spending.

Earlier this month, I attended an almost comical presentation at the U.S. Chamber headquarters where speakers spent most of a four hour event attacking political spending disclosure resolutions as being bad for business.

I say ‘almost’ comical because, while much of the information is laughably wrong, the subject matter is far too important to joke about.

There are a number of things wrong with what I heard at this event, but I’d like to focus on two disturbing claims in particular.

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