Nov. 7, 2012 Chamber’s Donohue Comments on 2012 Election Results
Statement from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
November 7, 2012
Chamber’s Donohue Comments on 2012 Election Results
‘Americans have tasked both parties with the responsibility to fix the economy, create jobs, and control the debt’

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue issued the following statement commenting on the 2012 election results:

“The Chamber congratulates President Obama and all successful House and Senate candidates on their election victories.

“Americans have tasked both Democrats and Republicans with the responsibility to fix the economy, create jobs, and control the debt.  It is the private sector that drives economic growth and jobs, and it is the government’s responsibility to work on a bipartisan basis to pass policies that will unleash the private sector and help put Americans back to work. The Chamber will employ all the assets of our policy experts, lobbying team, and grassroots federation to help Congress and the administration meet this critical responsibility.

“During this election cycle, the Chamber ran the largest voter education, candidate endorsement, and Get-Out-the-Vote effort in our 100-year history. A principal goal was to defend the pro-business gains we made in Congress in 2010 and ensure balance in the federal government when it comes to policies affecting business. That goal was achieved. We had also hoped to advance the pro-business position in the Senate, but the results were disappointing.

“In addition, our Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) conducted voter education efforts in key races at the state level across the country. Legal reform candidates prevailed in a majority of these races. Voters in Michigan, Mississippi, North Carolina, and Ohio supported a legal reform majority on their state supreme courts. In West Virginia, voters ousted the 20-year incumbent activist attorney general. These results provided substantial progress for the cause of legal reform. And in another significant development, Michigan voters rejected a number of anti-business ballot initiatives pushed by labor unions and the trial bar.

“Now that the election is behind us, the most urgent matter facing the president and the outgoing Congress is to take action before January 1 to stop massive tax increases and indiscriminate spending cuts, which could push our economy back into a recession. They must act to prevent this fiscal cliff, while committing to negotiate a Big Deal to control the national debt by reforming entitlements and taxes and boosting American energy production.”

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations.