U.S. Chamber Grassroots Sets New Record

Sends One Million Communications to Congress in 2009

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. Chamber of Commerce today announced that its federation of chambers of commerce, associations, and businesses have set a new record with more than one million letters to Congress in support of pro-jobs policies in 2009.

"We set out to establish one of the most effective grassroots networks in the country, and we are meeting that challenge," said Bill Miller, Chamber senior vice president of Political Affairs and Federation Relations. "The voice of business is being heard on Capitol Hill, and our message is clear—we need policies that create jobs in America."

The Chamber's members and supporters sent letter to Congress on the following top issues:

• 650,000 letters that call for responsible health care reform
• 145,000 letters that call for greater transparency in financial markets and restoring investor confidence without creating a new costly government bureaucracy
• 83,000 letters to save the secret ballot in union elections, and
• 50,000 letters to oppose the administration's massive "tax and spend" budget

The letters, generated since the first of the year from the Chamber's vast grassroots network and written by concerned citizens from all 50 states, are evidence of widespread support for pro-growth policies and opposition to legislative proposals that burden businesses and could harm America's economic recovery.

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

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