| BILL NAME |
SUMMARY OF BILL AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU |
U.S. CHAMBER'S POSITION |
STATUS |
Energy
H.R. 6 Energy
Independence
And Security
Act of 2007 |
H.R. 6 raises motor vehicle CAFE standards and mandates that biofuels account for at least 36 billion gallons of motor fuel a year by 2022, most of it advanced biofuels that are not commercially available today. At the Chamber’s urging, a renewable electricity standard for utilities and tax increases on the oil and gas industry were dropped. |
The Chamber opposed this bill because it compromises the nation’s national security by discouraging production of valuable domestic oil and gas supplies, causing greater dependency on foreign oil and gas. |
LAST ACTION
President Bush signed the
legislation into law December 19, 2007. |
Regulatory
Reform
H.R. 4458 Small Business Regulatory Improvement Act |
H.R. 4458 would amend the Regulatory Flexibility Act (RFA) to close loopholes and clarify terms that have led to agencies avoiding requirements of the act. Specifically, the bill would require agencies to consider the indirect impact on small businesses when proposing regulations. Agencies are already required to consider direct impact. |
The Chamber supports legislation to require government agencies to provide a comprehensive analysis of the total impact of a proposed regulation on small business. |
LAST ACTION
Voted out of one of two House committees December 13, 2007.
NEXT STEP Committee Vote |
| Climate Change S. 2191 America’s Climate Security Act of 2007 |
Rather than promote greenhouse gas-reducing technologies such as clean coal or nuclear energy, this bill addresses global warming by requiring American companies to reduce emissions to 15% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 70% below those levels by 2050. |
The Chamber opposes this bill because it does not address the international nature of climate change, promote technology development and deployment, preserve American jobs and the economy, reduce barriers to the development of climatefriendly energy sources, or promote efficiency. |
LAST ACTION
Voted out of a Senate committee December 5, 2007.
NEXT STEP
Senate Vote |
Flexible Spending
Accounts H.R. 3947 |
H.R. 3947 would permit employees to roll over $500 from their Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) annually rather than forfeit unused funds at the end of the plan year. |
The Chamber supports eliminating the FSA use-it-or-lose-it rule because doing so would encourage Americans to set aside pretax dollars for health care spending, thus lowering their out-of-pocket costs. |
LAST ACTION
Referred to a House committee
October 23, 2007.
NEXT STEP Committee Vote |
Small Business Definition H.R. 3567 Small Business Investment Expansion Act
Of 2007 |
This bill would make changes to the longstanding definition of small business to permit larger business enterprises, colleges, and universities to effectively own and control an unlimited number of small business enterprises and be eligible to participate in small business programs. This would deny traditionally defined small businesses various programs, resources, and services meant to foster innovation, growth, and a level playing field in the marketplace. |
The Chamber opposes creating a loophole to allow larger business enterprises, colleges, and universities to avail themselves of services, resources, and programs dedicated to traditional small businesses. |
LAST ACTION
Passed the House September 27, 2007. Referred to a Senate committee
on the same day.
NEXT STEP Committee Vote |
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