U.S. Chamber Looks Forward to Working With New Congress

Will Continue to Build Bipartisan Coalitions to Pass Pro-Business Bills

WASHINGTON, DC-The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with and support members of the new Congress from both sides of the aisle who favor pro-business legislation and it remained optimistic about implementing the business agenda.

"We worked hard to elect pro-business candidates," said Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue. "In a very difficult environment, we won some and we lost some. But it's important to remember two things. First, this election didn't turn on business issues, but instead on the war in Iraq and congressional scandals. Second, we don't measure success by the numbers-what counts is whether we are a force when the big decisions are made, and we will be."

Early returns indicate that 215 of the 277 Chamber-endorsed candidates were elected yesterday, with 13 races undecided. Pro-business candidates won 19 of the 35 House races specifically targeted by the Chamber, with four races undecided, and 4 of 12 in the Senate, with 1 contest unresolved. A majority of pro-legal reform candidates won races in which the Chamber's Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) worked to educate the public on the importance of issues such as enforcing the rule of law with integrity and impartiality.

As part of its political program, the Chamber put 274 people on the ground, ran TV/radio spots in 35 races, distributed 13.5 million pieces of mail, placed 12.5 million phone calls, and sent more than 18.8 million e-mails. Working with its local chambers and Federation members, the Chamber held fundraisers, educated voters, and organized get-out-the-vote efforts. In scope, cost, and reach, it was the Chamber's most expansive program ever.

"The Chamber's agenda for the future does not change based on who controls Congress," said Donohue. He said the American people continue to strongly support business priorities, especially legal reform. An election-day survey by Public Opinion Strategies conducted for ILR found that 76% of those polled want the new Congress to continue to reform the lawsuit system. Three-quarters of those who say they are strong Democrats regard frivolous lawsuits as a problem.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses of every size, sector, and region.

www.uschamber.com

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