U.S. Chamber of Commerce Reports and Studies
Read reports and studies by the U.S. Chamber on important issues that affect business.
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Sue and Settle: Regulating Behind Closed DoorsSue and settle occurs when an agency intentionally relinquishes its statutory discretion by accepting lawsuits from outside groups that effectively dictate the priorities and duties of the agency through legally binding, court-approved settlements negotiated behind closed doors—with no participation by other affected parties or the public. Released: May 20, 2013 |
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Imports Work for AmericaThis comprehensive study measures the net effects of imports on the U.S. economy. These effects are many, including jobs and U.S. manufacturing competitiveness — two factors commonly and erroneously thought to be harmed by imports — as well as the long-acknowledged positive effects of imports on inflation and wider product choices for American families. Released: May 01, 2013 |
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The Economic Importance of Getting Data Protection RightThis study assesses the potential external trade impact of the EU's proposed General Data Privacy Regulation (GDPR), using the well-established GTAP 8 model to estimate the potential trade effects on GDP, general welfare, services sector output and trade. The assessment of the impact is associated with many uncertain assumptions due to ambiguity and unclear propositions in the proposed regulation itself, especially the controversial proposal of ‘right to be forgotten’. Released: Apr 16, 2013 |
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Financial Regulatory Reform 2013 Report CardThis report card evaluates the progress being made by regulators and policymakers to achieve modern, well-regulated, fair, transparent, and vibrant capital markets. It looks both at the implementation of The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (The Dodd-Frank Act) as well as key regulatory reform issues not addressed by the law. By all accounts, regulatory reform is still incomplete. So, for those unfinished reforms outlined in this report, CCMC assigns a grade, in addition to an incomplete, based on regulators’ progress to date. This report also provides suggestions for how regulators and Congress can bring up the grade to ensure that the ultimate outcome of regulatory reform is a robust capital formation system that benefits consumers, investors, and job creators. Released: Apr 09, 2013 |
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The Importance of Cost-Benefit Analysis in Financial RegulationThis report reviews the role, history, and application of cost-benefit analysis in rulemaking by financial services regulators. For more than three decades—under both Democratic and Republican administrations—cost-benefit analysis has been a fundamental tool of effective regulation. There has been strong bipartisan support for ensuring regulators maximize the benefits of proposed regulations while implementing them in the most cost-effective manner possible. In short, it is both the right thing to do and the required thing to do. Released: Mar 12, 2013 |
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Environment, Technology, and Regulatory Affairs Division Annual Report 2012 - 100 Years of Fighting for BusinessIn 2012, the U.S. Chamber celebrated 100 years of fighting for your business. For our part, the Environment, Technology & Regulatory Affairs Division achieved major success initiating an effort to reform the federal rulemaking process. The specific reforms would ensure that agencies issue rules implementing congressional intent, that new rules operate efficiently and are based on sound scientific and economic principles, and that the federal permitting process for infrastructure projects is improved to foster American competitiveness. Released: Mar 01, 2013 |
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Impacts of Regulations on Employment – Examining EPA’s Oft-Repeated Claims that Regulations Create JobsOver the last four years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has often claimed that its new major, economically significant regulations create jobs. As industries have announced job layoffs due to the newly issued regulations and the claims that job creation continued, it became necessary to undertake a study to understand how EPA reached its conclusions as well as the soundness of its findings that its regulations create jobs. To better understand the employment impacts of environmental regulations, the Chamber in 2012 commissioned the economic research firm NERA to undertake a study to review and assess EPA’s methods for estimating employment impacts related to air quality regulations. Released: Feb 27, 2013 |
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International Trade and Investment Priorities for the Second Obama AdministrationNo priority facing our nation is more important than putting Americans back to work. Nearly 8% of the U.S. workforce is unemployed — a figure that soars to 15% when those who have stopped looking for jobs and the millions of part-time workers who want to work full time are included. As a nation, the biggest policy challenge we face is to create the 20 million jobs needed in this decade to replace the jobs lost in the recent recession and to meet the needs of America’s growing workforce. Released: Jan 30, 2013 |
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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Health and Retirement Priorities for the 113th CongressReleased: Jan 04, 2013 |
Asia Program of Work 2012 - 2013Released: Dec 19, 2012 |
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The Role of Foreign Workers in the Innovation EconomyReleased: Nov 30, 2012 |
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China’s Utility Model Patent System: Innovation Driver or DeterrentReleased: Nov 30, 2012 |
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NAFTA Triumphant 20 Years: Assessing Two Decades of Gains in Trade, Growth and JobsReleased: Nov 16, 2012 |
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China’s Approval Process for Inbound Foreign Direct Investment: Impact on Market Access, National Treatment and TransparencyReleased: Nov 12, 2012 |
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Amortized Cost is “Fair” for Money Market FundsRecent events have caused the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to rethink the long-standing use of amortized cost by money market mutual funds in valuing their investments in securities. This practice supports the use of the stable net asset value (a “buck” a share) in trading shares in such funds. Some critics have challenged this accounting practice, arguing that it somehow misleads investors by obfuscating changes in value or implicitly guaranteeing a stable share price. Released: Nov 01, 2012 |
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Index of U.S. Energy Security Risk: Assessing America's Vulnerabilities in a Global Energy MarketReleased: Oct 24, 2012 |
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America’s New Energy Future: The Unconventional Oil and Gas RevolutionReleased: Oct 23, 2012 |
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Money Market Funds Since the 2010 Regulatory Reforms: More Transparency, Increased Liquidity, and Lower Credit RiskReleased: Oct 16, 2012 |
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International Index of Energy Security Risk: Assessing Risk in a Global Energy MarketReleased: Oct 15, 2012 |
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Business Corps: One Year ReviewReleased: Oct 12, 2012 |