Letter regarding H.R. 2 & H.R. 4, the Energy and Jobs Bills Packages

Letters
September 18, 2014
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES:
 
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations, and dedicated to promoting, protecting, and defending America’s free enterprise system, supports H.R. 2, the “American Energy Solutions for Lower Costs and More American Jobs Act,” and H.R. 4, the “Jobs for America Act.”
 
The Chamber has strongly supported many of the items included in both these packages, including legislation repealing the medical device tax (H.R. 436 in the 112th Congress), and H.R. 1105, a bipartisan provision that would exempt certain advisers to private equity funds from burdensome and unnecessary regulatory requirements, thereby preserving private equity as a key source of capital within our economy.
 
These two packages of bills would provide significant regulatory reform, take a first step towards addressing certain taxation-related issues, restore the traditional 40 hour work week, and provide greater energy security and independence.
 
The Chamber laments that the Senate has failed to take up any of the individual components of these extensive packages throughout the first 20 months of the 113th Congress. Senate consideration of legislation, such as H.R. 2 and H.R. 4, would have been much more productive than the transparently political exercise of a debate on a Constitutional Amendment to redefine First Amendment protections on political speech.
 
The Chamber supports expeditious passage of H.R. 2 and H.R. 4 as an important step to get America’s economy moving.
 
Sincerely,
 
R. Bruce Josten
 
cc: Members of the United States Senate