| BILL NAME |
SUMMARY OF BILL AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU |
U.S. CHAMBER'S POSITION |
STATUS |
Colombia Free
Trade Agreement
H.R. 5724
United States-
Colombia Trade
Promotion
Agreement
Implementation Act |
This bill would implement the Trade Promotion Agreement that the president signed in November 2006. The agreement would immediately eliminate tariffs on 80% of U.S. industrial and consumer product exports to Colombia. The House voted to suspend the 90-day “fast-track” timetable for consideration of the bill, leaving the legislation in limbo. |
The Chamber supports trade legislation that brings tangible commercial benefits to American workers, farmers, and companies while advancing the foreign policy interests of the United States. |
LAST ACTION Sent to Congress by the president April 7, 2008.
NEXT STEP Committee Vote |
Small Business
Health Plans
S. 2818
Small Business
Health Plans Act Of 2008 |
S. 2818 would enable small businesses to pool together to negotiate and purchase health insurance benefits. |
The Chamber strongly supports the creation of small business health plans because they allow small businesses to leverage the same purchasing power as their larger competitors and to buy coverage exempt from state mandates. |
LAST ACTION
Referred to a
Senate committee
April 4, 2008.
NEXT STEP Committee Vote |
Tax Relief
H.R. 5109
Economic Growth Act of 2008 |
H.R. 5109 would expand the expensing of business assets, reduce the income and capital gains tax rates for corporations, and index capital gains asset bases for inflation. |
The Chamber supports legislation to provide growth-oriented, permanent tax incentives to stimulate economic activity across all sectors of the economy. |
LAST ACTION Referred to a
House committee
Jan. 23, 2008. NEXT STEP
Committee Vote |
ADA Expansion
H.R. 3195
ADA Restoration
Act |
This bill and its Senate companion, S. 1881, would define as disabled any individual with an impairment, such as poor eyesight correctable by wearing glasses. This definition would trigger the employer’s duty to accommodate under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). ADA currently defines disability as an impairment that “substantially limits one or more of the major life activities.” |
The Chamber opposes this bill because it would expand the opportunity for frivolous litigation and destroy the delicate balance of interests that permitted ADA to be enacted with broad support. |
LAST ACTION
House committee
hearing held
Jan. 29, 2008. NEXT STEP
Committee Vote |
Employee
Compensation
S. 1843
Fair Pay
Restoration Act |
This bill would overturn the Supreme Court’s recent decision in Ledbetter v. Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., which held that compensation discrimination claims must be filed in a timely manner. This sweeping bill would effectively do away with statutes of limitations in many court cases and would expand the class of individuals able to bring cases to include anyone affected by discrimination. |
The Chamber opposes this legislation because it would result in more frivolous claims against employers. |
LAST ACTION .
Senate committee
hearing held
Jan. 24, 2008. NEXT STEP
Committee Vote |
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