The Do-Nothing Congress

 

 

By Thomas J. Donohue, President and CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

 

As Election Day draws near, ask yourself, "What has this Congress done to help me and my business?" The answer, no doubt, is little to nothing.

Sometimes it's better for business when Congress fails to act. In fact, the U.S. Chamber often finds itself working very hard to block bills that would impose impossible, new burdens on the backs of business. During this Congress, the Chamber and other organizations effectively stopped lawmakers from raising taxes, enacting draconian climate change regulations, loosening union organizing rules, and expanding employee lawsuits.

 

However, all Americans need positive action from Congress on a host of priorities to revitalize our economy and make our country more competitive. These include modernizing our roads, bridges, and other infrastructure, renewing the landmark school reform bill, expanding free and fair trade, creating greater access to affordable health care, and increasing domestic energy supplies.

On all these core issues that underpin our economy and quality of life, this Congress has failed. All told, the 110th Congress has passed fewer laws than any Congress in two decades of record keeping.

 

While there are many pro-business lawmakers serving in Washington, collectively this Congress gets a failing grade when it comes to addressing fundamental challenges to American competitiveness and prosperity. Check to see whether your lawmakers deserve to return next year. Go to the Chamber's How They Voted scorecard at www.uschamber.com/howtheyvoted.