Note: The following letter was sent to each Member of the House of Representatives

Dear Member of the House of Representatives:

On behalf of the Business Roundtable, whose CEO members lead companies with nearly 16 million employees collectively, we write urging you to vote for the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015) as passed by the Senate to support U.S. growth and jobs and show U.S. global leadership.  We strongly support this bill, which will help secure solid results in ongoing U.S. trade negotiations.  We hope it will be passed by the House as soon as possible in June.

As business leaders, we know that if we stop investing in the future, we run a serious risk of missing opportunities and falling behind competitors.  If the United States is not in the vanguard of completing new trade agreements, we risk ceding opportunities to and falling behind foreign competitors whose countries are actively negotiating trade agreements for their businesses, farmers and workers.  We also risk letting other countries, which do not necessarily share our high standards, shape the trade rules for the global marketplace.

We hope that you will invest in the future of American businesses, farmers and workers and our local economies around the country by voting for the TPA-2015 legislation.  This legislation is critical so that U.S. negotiators and Congress – working together – can complete high-quality trade agreements that break down foreign barriers and set strong, enforceable trade rules.  We urge you to seize this bipartisan opportunity to help support growth and jobs in your state by voting for this legislation.

Randall L. Stephenson
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
AT&T Inc.

Thomas Linebarger
Chairman and CEO, Cummins Inc.
Chair, International Engagement Committee, Business Roundtable