2000: Chamber Advances Member-Driven Agenda

Legislative Victories

China Trade—Thanks to a massive lobbying and grassroots effort spearheaded by the Chamber federation, Congress approved—and the President signed into law—permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) for China. Our multiyear effort overpowered the vocal opposition of big labor bosses, isolationists, and protectionists, ensuring American companies will have greater access to sell their goods and services in the world’s largest market.

Unilateral Sanctions—The U.S. Chamber played a key role in passing legislation lifting the sanctions on food and medicine exports to Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, and Cuba, although we strenuously objected to certain trade, financing, and travel restrictions imposed on the island nation. The Chamber also helped defeat an amendment to the China PNTR bill that would have imposed ineffective and counterproductive unilateral sanctions on China for weapons proliferation.

Efficient Borders—A U.S. Chamber-led industry coalition successfully lobbied for repeal of Section 110, which would have imposed new requirements on traffic crossing America’s borders, resulting in significant, expensive delays in commercial trade.

The Death Tax—U.S. Chamber staff worked hard to successfully convince both the House and Senate to repeal the onerous and unfair death tax. Despite solid bipartisan support, the President chose to veto the legislation. It will be a top priority for the Chamber in the 107th Congress.

Telephone Excise Tax—President Clinton vetoed legislation that would have repealed the obsolete and burdensome 3% telephone excise tax. The Chamber fought hard to repeal this tax, which was first imposed in 1898 as a means of funding the Spanish-American War.

Small Business Tax Relief—The U.S. Chamber helped usher substantial small business tax relief legislation through the U.S. House, including provisions repealing the installment sales method law and increasing the deductibility for business meals. At press time, the Senate had not yet considered the legislation, and the President had promised a veto if it reached his desk.

Electronic Signatures—The Chamber federation achieved a significant victory with passage of legislation giving digital signatures the same legal standing as those on written contracts.

Restrictions on Foreign Investments—The U.S. Chamber successfully fought to prevent restrictions on foreign investment in U.S. telecom companies. The so-called Hollings Amendment would have mandated new, arbitrary restrictions on investments by foreign firms with more than a 25% government interest.

H-1B Visas—The U.S. Chamber was a leading voice in successfully convincing Congress to increase the number of H-1B visas granted to foreign skilled workers to help alleviate severe worker shortages in certain industry sectors.

Ergonomics—The U.S. Chamber led the effort to prohibit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration from issuing its unscientific, sweeping ergonomics regulation. At press time, a provision doing just that was likely to reach the President’s desk and be vetoed. The Chamber will challenge this regulation in court if necessary.

Blacklisting—The U.S. Chamber convinced the House to block implementation of an administration proposal effectively "blacklisting" companies from eligibility to receive government contracts if they do not have a "satisfactory" record of compliance with various laws as broadly and vaguely defined by the government. The Chamber will challenge this regulation in court if necessary.

Minimum Wage—Although taken as a foregone conclusion early in the 106th Congress, the Chamber successfully opposed another raise in the minimum wage.

Promoting a Clean Environment

Clean Air Rules—The U.S. Chamber played an instrumental role in passing a measure—now law—preventing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from designating areas in non-attainment using new clean air rules until the Supreme Court rules on a lawsuit disputing the rules. The Chamber is the lead party in the lawsuit.

Clean Water Regulations—In a win for business, the U.S. Chamber fought to bar implementation of EPA rules that would have curtailed local economic growth and transferred to the agency state water quality responsibility assigned by Congress.

Urban Renewal—The U.S. Chamber successfully blocked funding for a program that would discourage industry from relocating in, and cleaning up, inner cities.

Bringing Market-Based Reforms to Health Care

Health Care Liability—In a key victory, the U.S. Chamber fought off expanded liability of employers under health care plans, including unlimited punitive and compensatory damages.

Collective Bargaining for Health Care Professionals—Through the U.S. Chamber’s intense lobbying and media efforts, legislation granting health care professionals a broad antitrust exemption when negotiating with health plans was stopped dead in its tracks. The legislation would have resulted in higher costs for consumers and more uninsured Americans.

Bankruptcy Reform—Legislation requiring wealthier debtors to repay a portion of their debt received the vigorous support of the U.S. Chamber. At press time, the bill had passed the House, but its fate in the Senate was uncertain.

Hart-Scott-Rodino—The U.S. Chamber fought successfully to reduce the number of companies required to file a premerger notification with the Antitrust Division or the Federal Trade Commission. The Chamber backed legislation that increases the monetary threshold of a proposed merger or acquisition that triggers the filing requirement.

Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIR-21)—This U.S. Chamber-backed bill—now law— guarantees that all user fees flowing into the Aviation Trust Fund are invested in improving America’s infrastructure.

Hours of Service—A provision passed into law preventing for at least a year the Department of Transportation from implementing its unscientific hours of service proposal governing how long truck and bus operators can drive was strongly supported by the U.S. Chamber.

In the Courts

National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)—The case against the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) revised clean air standards—spearheaded by the National Chamber Litigation Center—has reached the Supreme Court, which will decide if EPA must take costs into account when setting public health standards under the Clean Air Act. The NAAQS are conservatively estimated to cost businesses $45 billion.

Unemployment Insurance—The NCLC filed suit in the District of Columbia U.S. District Court to stop a Department of Labor proposal to pay parents taking voluntary leaves of absence out of state unemployment dollars. The proposal threatens benefits for the unemployed and could result in increased taxes on businesses.

Corporate Free Speech—The NCLC won a victory when a U.S. Court of Appeals struck down a state law prohibiting corporations from making contributions to support or oppose state ballot initiatives.

HMO Lawsuits—Agreeing with a brief filed by the NCLC, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in June that HMOs do not violate their obligations to patients by offering bonuses to their employees and physicians for keeping costs down.