The US Chamber in the news - September 21

Watch the Chamber of Commerce’s Ad Buys

Maybe it's because Tom Donohue isn't as colorful as Sheldon Adelson, maybe it's because this part of campaign finance law isn't well understood, bu the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's ad buys are absolutely key to determining control of the U.S. Senate. The Chamber's funds are basically endless; it can enter races  that Republicans don't see much of a chance of winning, like Hawaii's, and Maine's. And they're some of the most cookie-cutter, smartly misleading stuff you'll see all year.  [Slate]

Onslaught of new ads in Wisconsin Senate race following polls that show Baldwin surging

There's an onslaught of new television ads in Wisconsin's U.S. Senate race following polls showing Democrat Tammy Baldwin surging against Republican Tommy Thompson. This week Karl Rove's group launched a nearly $1 million ad buy against Baldwin. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce also unveiled a new attack ad against Baldwin on Thursday.  [San Francisco Chronicle]

U.S. Chamber spending another $300000 on ads for Lingle

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has purchased a fourth round of television advertising for former Gov. Linda Lingle's Republican campaign for U.S. Senate, bringing the business group's investment in Hawaii to more than $1 million. The $311,000 ad buy ocuses on job growth and describes Lingle as an independent who would be a bipartisan leader in the Senate. Lingle has raised more money for her campaign than U.S. Rep. Mazie Hirono, her Democratic opponent, and the chamber’s presence in Hawaii has helped the former governor expand on that fundraising advantage. [Honolulu Star-Advertiser]

US Chamber, others ask appeals court to uphold ruling against EPA in veto of W.Va. mine permit

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and nine other business groups say an appellate court should uphold a federal judge’s ruling that the Environmental Protection Agency overreached when it retroactively vetoed water-pollution permits for one of West Virginia’s largest mountaintop removal mines.  The National Mining Association, National Association of Manufacturers and others argue EPA’s revocation of Clean Water Act permits years after they were issued effectively prevents such permits from ever being considered final. That, they say, could have a chilling effect on new construction and economic development nationwide.  [The Washington Post]

Chamber Defends Its Stance on Cyber Legislation

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce fired back Thursday at charges from a top lawmaker that it is "intransigently opposed" to legislative attempts to create a voluntary system of cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure companies. Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller (D., W.Va.) launched an inquiry Wednesday into corporate practices. He is surveying the chief executives of Fortune 500 companies to ask for details of their efforts to protect their networks. The Chamber's National Security and Emergency Preparedness Director, Matthew Eggers, said Mr. Rockefeller's characterization of the group's position on the bill was "off-base." He said there is a consensus that there is a need for legislation to "facilitate cybersecurity across different sectors." The disagreement is over how to do it, he said.  He said Congress should first pass pending bills that would establish systems to share cyber attack and threat information between the government and private industry. The Chamber has been public in its opposition to Mr. Rockefeller's bill, which the White House supported. Chamber officials said it would create a "government-managed process" for establishing cybersecurity standards. Even voluntary guidelines, it said, would "impose new obligations on participating companies."  [The Wall Street Journal]