The US Chamber in the news - September 25

Posted by Marcia Carroll on September 25, 2012

Protesters take to skies asking Google to quit U.S. Chamber
The skies over Mountain View will bear a message of protest today aimed at Google: quit the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. SumOfUs.org, a nonprofit that has been campaigning for corporations to end their financial support of the Chamber, said it would fly a plane over the Googleplex Monday at noon with a trailing banner that reads "Google: Quit the Chamber." The group opposes the Chamber for reasons including its opposition to climate change legislation and its support for anonymous corporate spending on elections. It has mounted similar campaigns designed to get Microsoft, IBM and Pepsi to quit the Chamber. SumOfUs launched its petition drive against Google's involvement with the Chamber last year. The company reportedly was considering quitting, in part over the Chamber's support of the Stop Online Piracy Act, which technology companies widely opposed.   (CNET)

As Wall Street Fights Regulation, It Has Backup on the Bench
The lawsuits against Wall Street regulation enjoy special advantages. For one, financial regulators are often facing off against Mr. Scalia, a seasoned litigator at Gibson Dunn and the son of Justice Antonin Scalia.  Gibson Dunn often represents the United States Chamber of Commerce, which defeated the S.E.C.’s proxy access plan and twice persuaded the court to knock down a mutual fund rule.  (The New York Times)

Poll: Brown ahead of GOP challenger in Ohio Senate race
A new poll released Sunday indicates Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio has a seven-point advantage over Republican opponent Josh Mandel…Brown, elected in 2006, maintains his edge despite a flood of spending from outside conservative groups, including Crossroads GPS and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. (CNN (blog))

US Chamber of Commerce: Fracking is New York's 'Cash Cow'
New York State is staring right at the answer to its financial woes: hydrofracking. At least that's the opinion on Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The damn answer is right there - grab it!” he told New York business executives last week.  (The Ithaca Independent)

White House said to plan executive order on cybersecurity
The White House is preparing to direct federal agencies to develop voluntary cybersecurity guidelines for owners of power, water and other critical infrastructure facilities, according to people who said they had seen recent drafts of an executive order. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which also criticized that bill, declined to comment on Monday on the merits of a prospective order. (Chicago Tribune)

Ecuador's trade status under fire from industry groups, congressmen
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers have also called into question Ecuador's eligibility for trade preferences. Ecuador currently receives a special status under the  Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, which grants four South American countries duty-free access to a wide range of exports in order to help them fight drug production and trafficking by fostering economic development. “Trade preferences like this are a privilege, not a right, and Ecuador has continued to flout its international investment commitments,” writes the Chamber of Commerce. Chevron has been locked in an $18 billion legal battle with environmental groups over environmental damage allegedly caused by Texaco Petroleum Company from 1964 to 1992 while it operated in partnership with the state-owned oil company PetroEcuador — though Chevron did not acquire Texaco until 2001. (Daily Caller)

US Chamber launches U.S.-Cote D’Ivoire Business Council
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce joined its Ivorian counterpart, APEX-CI, today for the official launch of the U.S.-Cte dIvoire Business Council. This new Business Council will serve as the premiere organization in Washington, D.C. dedicated to the broad advancement of U.S. commercial engagement with Cte dIvoire and will consist of senior-level executives of U.S. Companies from every major sector doing business in Cote dIvoire. The founding members of the U.S. section of the council are Cargill, Chevron, Citi, FedEx and GE.  (US Chamber)



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...