4.16.2014 In This Issue:...
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4.16.2014
In This Issue:
Immigration
Trade
Terrorism Insurance
2014 Conference Dates
Dear Chamber Friends,
With Congress now into its spring recess and members back home, now is a great time to reach out to them on the issues important to your community. Many of you have already scheduled time to visit with them, but it isn’t too late to do so.
On the federal level, a number of important issues are still pending that need a push from the business community. Immigration reform is still alive, and so are a number of trade issues including TPA (Trade Promotion Authority) that will mean expanded opportunities and jobs. Terrorism Risk Insurance is set to expire this year and needs to be renewed.
If you have a chance during the recess to speak with your members of Congress on any of these issues, please let us know. We are happy to provide additional information on these and many other issues to assist your efforts.
Of course, please do keep in mind the dates for our Regional Government Affairs conference in sunny Scottsdale, Arizona.
Dick Castner
Jennings Imel
Western Regional Office
818.884.0702
Immigration Reform Still Top Priority
Immigration reform may not dominate the headlines right now, but work goes on quietly behind the scenes on meaningful reform, with the goal of passing a series of bills this year. It remains a top priority for the U.S. Chamber and the business community because it is important to spurring economic growth. Following up on the Republican “Standards for Immigration Reform” the broad business coalition sent a letter to Capitol Hill urging Congress to act that featured 636 signatories (including 246 businesses of all sizes and industries and 390 business groups, notably chambers of commerce). The letter received widespread coverage because it clearly demonstrated how united business is on this issue.
There are still several windows in the congressional schedule this year when a bill could move. Please call or write to your Member of Congress and ask them to move immigration reform to the floor this year.
For more resources to help move the ball forward, check out our Immigration Toolkit featuring sample op-eds, letters to the Hill, and policy statements.
Tell Your Members of Congress: Trade Benefits America!
Many chambers from around the country have weighed in with their Congressional delegations recently in support of trade as a mechanism for U.S. companies to grow their markets overseas and grow jobs here at home. They have written about the robust trade opportunities in the works, including the 12 nation Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as well as the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) with the 28 Member countries of the European Union (EU), among others, and the critical importance of first passing legislation to renew Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), so the U.S. can be a party to these job creating agreements.
Although timing of trade agenda consideration on Capitol Hill remains unclear, there is ongoing activity to keep these issues in the forefront. Ambassador Michael Froman, U.S. Trade Representative, testified earlier this month at a House Ways and Means Committee hearing, and is scheduled to appear before Senate Finance later this month. Please weigh in with your Members of Congress to let them know that TPA is critically important and should be enacted, and why trade is a big deal for small businesses.
Lend your voice to help support trade! A sample letter and other resources are available in our online trade toolkit and additional background information can be found at the U.S. Chamber co-led Trade Benefits America Coalition. And if your chamber would like a conference call or in person briefing on TPA and our trade agenda from our International Division staff, or help in customizing a letter to your Members of Congress, please let us know!
Finally, May is World Trade Month. If your chamber is planning to do any events related to highlighting the benefits of trade, please let us know and we would be happy involved in building your program or spreading the word.
Terrorism Risk Insurance Act Introduced in Senate
Earlier this month, the U.S. Chamber, along with 258 other businesses and organizations, signed a letter urging Congress to swiftly reauthorize the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA). TRIA, which is set to expire at the end of 2014, is a vital public-private risk sharing mechanism which helps ensure the availability of private sector terrorism risk insurance and would help the U.S. economy recover more quickly in the event of a large-scale terrorist attack. Without this critical federal backstop, terrorism risk insurance would not be commercially available, hindering businesses from moving forward with projects and creating jobs.
A bi-partisan reauthorization bill was introduced last week in the Senate with a possible markup in early May. We anticipate introduction and committee-level action in the House in the coming weeks. More information on TRIA can be found on the website of the Coalition to Insure Against Terrorism (CIAT), of which the Chamber is a member, or at http://www.terrorismeconomicprotection.com.
HOLD THE DATE
2014 Regional Government Affairs Conference
Be sure to hold the date and make room in your budget for our 2014 Conference in Scottsdale, Arizona. Our program will be jammed packed with valuable advocacy workshops, detailed election outlook, and overview of the issues that matter the most at the local, state and federal levels.
More information will be available soon on agenda, scholarships and registration. Stay tuned!
October 8 – 10, 2014
Montelucia Resort
Scottsdale, Arizona
This e-mail was sent by:
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Western Regional Office
21243 Ventura Blvd, #135
Woodland Hills, CA 91364
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