The U.S. Chamber in the News - October 22

Posted by Elizabeth Ben-Ishai on October 22, 2012

Big Oil and the U.S. Chamber Fight to Keep Foreign Bribery Flourishing
In a new lawsuit against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), big energy extractors are pushing for carte blanche in their interactions with foreign governments, making it harder to track whether their deals are padding the coffers of dictators, warlords, or crony capitalists. [PR Watch]

Rally targets U.S. Chamber political spending in Maine, nation
A Falmouth childcare provider upset with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's political activity in Maine and nationwide spoke at a Friday rally in Washington intended to pressure the powerful business group to disclose its donors. [Morning Sentinel]

Chamber of Commerce seeks to mobilize pro-business vote
At a time when many small business owners are unhappy with President Obama's policies, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has launched a new video campaign urging people to get out and vote in favor of business and jobs in November.  [Daily Caller]

Presidential race buffets fight for Senate control
In Ohio, Republican challenger Josh Mandel is hoping for a late surge by Romney that might also lift him past Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown.  On Friday, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce reported spending $2.3 million for TV and radio ads to help Mandel, making Brown one of the business lobby's top targets. "If Romney could keep it close, Mandel's going to be in the Senate," said Scott Reed, a top political strategist for the chamber.  [Huffington Post]

Here's What Nearly 30 Corporations Gave the US Chamber of Commerce
Corporations that disclosed their donations to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce gave the association $3.5 million in non-tax-deductible contributions, which can be used for political spending, a new Chamber Watch report shows.  [eNews Park Forest]

The Star's recommendation: Return Claire McCaskill to the US Senate
Early in her term, she even won high ratings from the conservative U.S. Chamber of Commerce, before that group turned on her in an effort to shift control of the Senate to Republicans in 2012. [Kansas City Star]‎   

U.S. Chamber of Commerce weighing in for $700K on CT Senate race
What’s $700,000 among friends? This is a release from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce on a new campaign in Connecticut for Linda McMahon, in a tight race with US Rep. Chris Murphy. The USCC filed a report with the Federal Election Commission today indicating a $700,000 expenditure for McMahon, plus a $22 digital media expense.  [CT News]

Augusta’s Barrow gets big PAC boosts; party isn't biggest pull
GOP-leaning groups such as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and National Rifle Association have endorsed and donated to Barrow because he votes their way. The Chamber has proven to be a key Barrow ally. It has spent $100,000 on an advertising campaign in the district promoting him. Spokeswoman Blair Latoff said Barrow was one of five House Democrats to score over 70 percent on the Chamber scorecard and receive an automatic endorsement. By contrast, in 2011 only one House Republican scored less than 70 percent. [Atlanta Journal Constitution]

Tags:
  • Printer-friendly version
  • Send to friend
  • PDF version

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.

More...

U.S. Chamber in the News - March 18

Green for All: New Strategic Partnership with Small Business Majority

The U.S. Small Business Administration’s Office of Advocacy recently released a report that confirmed a fact many small business groups already know to be true: small businesses are leading the nation’s economic recovery. Green For All is one of the groups that has seen this first-hand. We have worked for years to support small green businesses with the skills and resources needed to create new jobs while improving our environment. We know from experience that small businesses are America’s principal drivers on the road to economic recovery. It is these businesses that are, time and time again, the most capable at fostering local community resilience in times of economic hardship.

The U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce Rejects Ryan's Misogynistic Budget as an Economic Assault on Women and Women Businesses Owners

Today, the U.S. Women's Chamber of Commerce ( http://www.uswcc.org ) calls on congressional leaders to reject the Ryan Budget as wrong for the future of America, and pledges to take the case to protect the economic future of women to every community.

More...