U.S. Chamber Launches Major Political Effort for 2000 Elections

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The United States Chamber of Commerce announced a major new boost to its political program, targeting 35-40 close House races and 10-12 Senate contests in the 2000 elections to ensure a pro-business Congress.

The Chamber, through its political action committee, plans to raise and spend as much as $100,000 for candidates in each of the targeted House races and more in the Senate contests. It will host fundraisers, mobilize grassroots and educate voters about the benefits of pro-business issues.

"American workers and the companies that employ them deserve a pro-business Congress," Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said. "We need a Congress that will unleash business from the shackles of big government, heavy-handed regulation and bureaucratic red-tape."

The Chamber and its PAC plan to use their assets — both hard and soft money — only in tight races where the candidate has demonstrated a record of making a positive difference for business or, in some instances, for party or leadership political activities.

"We're going to focus our assets narrowly for the maximum impact," Donohue said. "In these key races, we plan to give money directly and raise more money through our members."

The upgrading of the Chamber's political program, which is best known for its pro-business ratings and endorsements of members of Congress, was among the pledges Donohue made when taking over the world's largest business federation two years ago. Since that time he has rejuvenated the Chamber's previously moribund political action committee, the National Chamber Alliance for Politics, already filling its coffers with nearly one million dollars in new money.

Donohue Taps Veteran Political Fundraiser Ted Welch To Lead Effort

Donohue has tapped veteran fundraiser and Senior Chamber Political Fellow Ted Welch to help lead the effort, assisted by a bipartisan advisory board of business leaders and political experts.

"There has never been a greater need for the Chamber to fight for a responsive Congress," said Welch. "American businesses are ready to go all out for a Congress that will lower taxes, reign in trial lawyers, and open markets for U.S. businesses around the world."

For American business the stakes are high – this election will determine the leadership of both houses of Congress and the White House, who will oversee the potential appointment and confirmation of three or four new Supreme Court justices.

With labor unions and trial lawyers poised to spend millions of dollars and register four million new voters by 2000, according to recent news articles, Donohue said, "This initiative is crucial to American business."

The United States Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.

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