The State of American Business 2011

January 12, 2012

Tom Donohue, President & CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, outlined the Chamber’s 2012 policy agenda to expand the economy, create jobs, and boost America’s competitiveness in the global economy at thus year's State of American Business:

Produce American Energy and Rebuild Infrastructure

Approve the Keystone XL pipeline to put up to 250,000 Americans to work over the life of the project while preventing the EPA from enacting new regulations on fracking that sabotage a natural gas revolution. Complete Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization, which is more than four years delayed, to strengthen our aviation system and deploy the NextGen air traffic control system. Renew surface transportation funding legislation before it expires in March and invest in water infrastructure.

Expand Trade, Investment, and Tourism

Renew Trade Promotion Authority for the president to expedite a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement with eight of the United States’ best commercial partners in the booming Asia-Pacific region. Grant permanent normal trade relations with Russia and move on trade deals with Brazil, Egypt, and India. Advance bilateral investment treaties and expand visa-waiver programs to restore America’s share of the international travel market to 2001 levels, creating 1.3 million new jobs in the process.

Advance Regulatory and Legal Reform

Pass the Administrative Procedure Act to restore sound science, quality data, and common sense to the regulatory system while curbing regulatory overreach by EPA and the National Labor Relations Board. Stop the expansion of liability at home and abroad that is sucking the vitality out of our nation’s job creators.

Develop an Innovation Agenda

Protect America’s intellectual property-related industries and its 19 million workers by passing legislation to cut off rogue websites from the U.S. marketplace. Reform our failing schools, enact a globally competitive tax system, and fix our broken immigration system.

Control Spending and Reform Entitlements

Make reasonable, phased-in changes to Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security in order to save these programs and keep our commitment to the sick and elderly for generations to come.

The full text of Donohue's speech can be found here.

Press Release

Donohue: Government Must Work With Business to Spur Growth and Drive Job Creation (January 12, 2012)

Speech

The State of American Business 2012, Address by Thomas J. Donohue President & CEO, U.S. Chamber of Comm (January 12, 2012)

Download a copy of the Speech (PDF)