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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorsements Belie True Agenda: Speaking for Big Business

Oct. 12, 2012

U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorsements Belie True Agenda: Speaking for Big Business

Chamber Is Making Endorsements in Races Throughout the Country

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As the U.S. Chamber of Commerce makes endorsements in political races across the country, it is pushing the agenda of Big Business over those of the small businesses it purports to represent, according to U.S. Chamber Watch, a project of Public Citizen that tracks the activities of the U.S. Chamber.

The Chamber has made endorsements in political races across the country. In recent weeks, it has named clear favorites in U.S. House of Representatives races in California, New York and North Carolina.

“While the Chamber would like to be seen as the national representative of ‘mom and pop’ stores, it is, in fact, the leading mouthpiece for Big Business,” said Public Citizen President Robert Weissman. “Responding to the desires of its funders, the Chamber speaks for Wall Street, not Main Street.”

Although the Chamber claims to represent the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of all sizes, most of its financial backing comes from a few large corporations. The New York Times reported in 2010 that half of the Chamber’s $140 million in 2008 contributions came from just 45 companies.

“The Chamber’s agenda is the agenda of Big Business, nothing more and nothing less,” Weissman said. “It lobbies for trade policies that benefit multinational corporations at the expense of small manufacturers. It urges rules to benefit Big Banks at the expense of community banks and non-financial businesses. No one should be fooled into thinking the Chamber advances the interests of the vast majority of American businesses.”

 For more information about the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and its political activity, visit www.fixtheuschamber.org.