March 08, 2012
Taking Action for America
Related Studies & Resources
America faces many challenges as we work together to restore the promise of economic growth and security for our country, our families and the American worker. The CEOs of leading U.S. companies believe in America and our ability to once again meet this challenge. This belief in the inherent strengths of the United States and its people enables them to see beyond America’s short-term difficulties to the brighter future that lies ahead. That future directly hinges on America’s ability to lead globally, make optimal use of its impressive advantages, and always remember that its greatest asset is American workers and their families. It is with this enduring faith that the CEOs of Business Roundtable (BRT) confront the current challenges facing the United States.
The challenges are both real and serious. Despite hopeful signs of economic recovery, America remains mired in the deepest jobs crisis since the 1930s. One out of every 12 Americans who are willing and able to work cannot find a job. Approximately 13 million Americans remain unemployed. Frustrated and discouraged, millions more have simply given up looking for work altogether. To be sure, the severe job losses experienced during the depths of the 2007–09 recession have ended, and the unemployment rate fell from 9.4 percent in December 2010 to 8.5 percent in December 2011. But vigorous and sustained job creation has not returned at the level required to put America back to work, and the numbers of long-term unemployed remain at record levels.
We, the CEOs of Business Roundtable have a plan to revitalize U.S. economic growth and job creation. We believe that America’s business leaders have an obligation to bring their real-world experience on economic matters to public policy, especially in a time of widespread joblessness and economic distress. Job creation depends on economic growth, which cannot occur unless businesses are free to innovate, invest and grow. Taking Action for America is a comprehensive plan to jump-start new business investment and knock down barriers to economic growth. It includes pragmatic, actionable recommendations organized into three broad categories (all links are PDF downloads):
- American Global Leadership, which must be secured through sound fiscal policy, smarter regulation and competitive taxation.
- American Advantages, which depend on open markets for international trade and investment; reliable, affordable energy, protecting U.S. technology assets with effective cybersecurity and contributions of highly educated world talent.
- American Workers and Families, who deserve policies that promote a skilled, prepared workforce; affordable, quality health care and stable policies that ensure retirement security.
For more information, we invite you to download the following PDFs:
- Our one-page overview of the plan
- A document outlining all of our proposed solutions for revitalizing U.S. job and economic growth.
- A list of key regulations that we have pinpointed to help address the need for smarter regulation.
- Our advertisement in print publications in Tampa and Charlotte during the Republican and Democratic National Conventions urges Washington to act to solve our nation's challenges.
We also invite you to join in the discussion on our Facebook page or view the press release.
You can view Taking Action for America in its entirety below, or by downloading the PDF.
Watch video from the Taking Action for America launch event:
Read coverage of Taking Action for America:
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
See what leaders in Washington and in the business community are saying about Taking Action for America:
-
Business Roundtable CEOs consistently cite rising medical care costs as their number-one cost pressure. These costs are inhibiting job creation and damaging our ability to compete in global markets. Medical care costs are also putting a strain on the household budgets of many Americans.
John Engler,
President, Business Roundtable -
Open markets are essential for U.S. economic growth and job creation, and international trade and investment agreements are critical tools to open markets and keep them open.
Douglas R. Oberhelman,
Chairman & CEO, Caterpillar Inc. -
'Taking Action for America’ is the right plan at the right time. America’s business leaders have detailed a jobs and growth strategy that will benefit American workers. I call on my colleagues to work with me, the Business Roundtable and all stakeholders to act this year.
Congressman Heath Shuler
Representative from the 11th District of North Carolina -
Regulations are beneficial only when they’re clear, consistent and wise. And, in large part, the U.S. regulatory regime is so complex and inconsistent that regulations hinder American manufacturers without helping anyone in particular.
Andrew N. Liveris,
Chairman & CEO, Dow Chemical Company, The -
There are jobs today that are open because we don’t have the skilled workforce here. If we want to continue to create economic growth we have to fill those jobs with the best and the brightest no matter where they come from.
Ellen J. Kullman,
Chair and Chief Executive Officer , DuPont -
A high-quality education, especially in math, science, technology, and engineering, is critical for the ability of countries to successfully compete and prosper in the 21st century.
Rex W. Tillerson,
Chairman & CEO, Exxon Mobil Corporation -
Safeguarding America’s strategic information systems, most of which are privately owned and operated, is ‘mission critical’ for U.S. business and government.
Ajay Banga,
President and CEO, MasterCard -
American companies seeking to expand in markets at home and abroad are working with one of the least competitive tax systems among developed countries in the world.
Robert A. McDonald,
Chairman, President and CEO, Procter & Gamble Company, The -
Pension policy must provide employers with the certainty that will allow them to make new capital investments, to hire new employees, and to make R&D investments.
Larry D. Zimpleman,
Chairman, President & CEO, Principal Financial Group, Inc. -
I applaud the Business Roundtable for rolling out a serious blueprint for job creation and economic growth. I look forward to working with the BRT on tax reform and modernizing our regulatory system to spark a true American jobs recovery.
Senator Rob Portman
R-Ohio
Recent Studies and Resources
| Date | Title | Description | |
|---|---|---|---|
04/10/2013 |
Background Paper on Conflict Minerals Disclosure Rule |
Section 1502 of the “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (Dodd-Frank Act) directs the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to promulgate regulations regarding the use of conflict minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and adjoining countries. |
|
04/10/2013 |
Taking Action on Immigration |
The time has come for realistic immigration solutions that will both strengthen national security and boost economic growth. America needs an immigration system that places more resources toward enforcement of laws, produces a more dynamic and skilled labor force, and enables U.S. businesses and workers to compete more effectively in the global marketplace. Getting reform right is essential to a healthier economy — accelerating growth, encouraging hiring and creating jobs. |
|
04/09/2013 |
Reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act |
As Congress moves forward with the long-overdue reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA), Business Roundtable encourages policymakers to embrace the following principles to ensure a far more effective and efficient workforce investment system in this nation. |
|
04/08/2013 |
Background Paper on OTC Derivatives End-User Exemption |
Regulations implementing “Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act” (Dodd-Frank Act) provisions that impact end-users of derivatives need to be carefully tailored so that they do not disrupt risk-management practices that pose no systemic risk to the economy. |
|
03/04/2013 |
Background Paper on Keystone XL Pipeline Project |
The State Department is responsible for issuing “presidential permits” for cross-border pipelines. In the past, such as the case with Enbridge’s Alberta Clipper pipeline, permits have been granted with little or no controversy. |
|
-
-
-
-
Follow us on twitterMotion to proceed to consideration of S. 744, #immigration bill, passes Senate by 84-15. Getting right into amendments.
1 week, 15 hours, 47 minutes ago
Vote on cloture motion to proceed on #immigration bill passes Senate, 82-15, 3 not voting: Roll call: http://t.co/8HwEXQ1iUM
1 week, 16 hours, 13 minutes ago
Caesars Entertainment CEO Gary Loveman on Nightly Business Report 2nite on biz support #immigration reform. @bizrpt
1 week, 16 hours, 21 minutes ago
RT @MHEducation: KY has voted to provisionally adopt Next Generation Science Standards #NGSS (via @EducationWeek) http://t.co/6Ut8qf9Pl4
1 week, 16 hours, 38 minutes ago
-
American Electric Power President and CEO Nick Akins - It's Time to Act
YouTube video
- Ernst & Young Chairman and CEO Jim Turley - It's Time to Act
- McGraw-Hill Companies Chairman and CEO Terry McGraw - It's Time to Act
- ITC Holdings Corp. Chairman, President and CEO Joseph Welch - It's Time to Act
Follow us on YouTube