Today, America faces a choice--to reach out and seize the benefits of international engagement or retreat into isolationism. This choice is central to the competitiveness of the U.S. economy and the hopes of hardworking citizens pursuing the American Dream.

The best way to protect American jobs and create new ones...

Despite the headlines, health care and climate change aren't the only issues that Congress will consider this fall. Also up for possible consideration is the Consumer Financial Protection Agency (CFPA) Act, legislation that would dramatically reshape consumer finance. This bill, said to be a response to the financial crisis, would...

The biggest challenge posed by health care reform is fixing what's broken without breaking what works. What's broken is obvious -- health care costs too much, covers too few, and is of uneven quality. What works is the health insurance that employers voluntarily provide to more than 160 million Americans....

The fact that the Waxman-Markey cap-and-trade bill--officially known as the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES)--passed the U.S. House by a razor-thin margin proves that members of both parties have deep concerns about this legislation. And rightfully so. Although the U.S. Chamber supports comprehensive legislation to reduce greenhouse gas...

Earlier today the U.S. Chamber released a study by Navigant Consulting showing that shareholder activism by union pension funds provides no benefit for pension plan participants, and may actually reduce shareholder value. We also released survey data showing a sharp negative reaction to the use of pension fund assets...

It has often been said that budgets are a statement of priorities. If that's the case, President Obama has taken his eyes off of the nation's top priority: economic recovery. Instead of proposing measures that would spur economic growth, the president's budget would dramatically increase the size and scope of...

Everybody knows that the economy is not doing well. We are in a deep recession. Credit markets are still largely frozen. Companies and consumers that are lucky enough to have cash are sitting on it. No one is sure where the bottom is.

We have cause for concern, but not...

The millions of Americans who traveled over the Thanksgiving holiday met traffic at every turn--on the highway, on public transportation, and at the airport. The number of flight delays on the Sunday after Thanksgiving ranked third all-time. And guess what? Commuters and others who have grown accustomed to congestion, delays,...

Tomorrow night at Hofstra University presidential debate moderator Bob Schieffer is sure to ask: "How does the economic crisis affect your plans for the future?" It will be the third debate in a row that candidates have heard the question, and it isn't getting any easier to answer. Having spent...

Given the urgent challenges confronting the American economy, why do I want to devote today's column to protecting intellectual property (IP) and preventing IP theft, counterfeiting, and piracy? Because America's ability to compete in the global economy and create 21st century jobs for our children and grandchildren depend on our...

The defeat of the financial rescue plan in the House of Representatives on Monday dealt a needless blow to an already faltering economy. Investors lost $1.2 trillion in wealth. Confidence that our elected leaders are capable of solving big challenges was further shaken. And, we continue to invite an economic...

In prior years, the U.S. Chamber has been able to describe the state of the American economy - and thus the state of American business -- in a single word or phrase.

Not this year. There are both positive and negative signs to point to.

On the plus...

The holiday season is about spending time with our family and loved ones. We should remember that many of our men and women in uniform will be separated from their families during this special time of year. We owe them and their families a debt of gratitude for the sacrifices...

Rep. John Dingell has talked recently about proposing a startling piece of legislation to address the risk of climate change. He has suggested:

* A 50-cent tax increase on gasoline, jet fuel, and kerosene.
* A $50 per ton tax on carbon from coal and natural...

A few weeks ago I delivered a speech in Arizona on comprehensive immigration reform. As a border state with a large immigrant population, Arizona is a flash point in the national immigration reform debate. It's also an example of the negative consequences of Congress' failure to pass federal comprehensive immigration...