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U.S. Chamber of Commerce Endorses Kerry, Corker Bill to Encourage Global Investment in the U.S., Create Jobs

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, today endorsed bipartisan legislation introduced by Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.) and Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Chairman and Senior Member of the Foreign Relations Committee, that would create jobs and increase foreign investment in the United States by examining laws and regulations to eliminate outdated barriers and improve American competitiveness.  Senators Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.), and Jeff Sessions (Ala.) are original co-sponsors of the legislation.

Recognizing the important impact global investment has on the economy of every state and community across the nation, the Kerry-Corker Global Investment in American Jobs Act expands an existing Department of Commerce report to initiate the first-ever interagency assessment for Congress focused on making the U.S. more effective in competing for investment from top companies around the world.

“Bob and I work together every day on the Foreign Relations Committee and we see firsthand the stakes of global economic competition. There’s a race on today for global capital. That’s why Bob and I are leading a bipartisan effort to create jobs and make America the most attractive place for the world to invest,” said Chairman Kerry.  “We need to start producing things again, and to do that, we need to be a magnet for more capital from abroad.  It’s time to make this a priority and remove outdated and unnecessary barriers to investment in the United States.”

“Our goal should be for the U.S. to be the very best place in the world to do business, and I’m hopeful this study can provide some insight into what we’re doing right, what we’re doing wrong and how we can improve,” said Senator Corker. “Tennessee has continued to attract overseas companies like Volkswagen, Nissan, ALSTOM, Bridgestone, Smith & Nephew, and Electrolux that have made significant, long-term investments in our state, creating good-paying jobs for Tennesseans and fueling economic development. We want to continue to attract these kinds of investments.”

The American subsidiaries of companies headquartered abroad employ over five million American workers, produce nearly 21 percent of U.S. exports, and invest heavily in research and innovation.  However, from 1999 to 2009, the U.S. share of global investment declined by more than 50 percent. 

The Global Investment in American Jobs Act, and its companion in the House of Representatives, is focused on helping regain this lost ground by:  

  • recognizing that America is competing for investment and that our share of the world’s invested capital is declining;
  • tasking the Department of Commerce with producing an analysis of the industry-specific laws and regulations administered across multiple agencies that limit or discourage foreign investment; AND
  • asking the agency to take a top to bottom look at whether our infrastructure, tax, education, immigration, and other macro policies are properly aligned to give investors confidence in America.

The letter from the Chamber of Commerce is below:

 

Chamber of Commerce
OF THE
United States of America

  

R. Bruce Josten
Executive Vice President
Government Affairs

  

1615 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20062-2000
202/463-5310

  June 18, 2012

TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS:

            The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than three million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region, applauds introduction of H.R. 5910 and S. 3274, the “Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2012,” which would promote international investment in the United States.

            The United States has long been the premier destination for foreign direct investment, which is an important contributor to the growth of jobs, the economy, and prosperity.

            Subsidiaries of foreign multi-national companies directly employ more than five million Americans, add substantially to U.S. exports, and contribute significantly to the innovative capacity of the U.S. economy.  These firms also purchase approximately $2 trillion in domestic goods and services, much of which comes from small and medium-sized companies.

            However, U.S. global share of foreign direct investment has declined over the last decade as competition among countries to attract foreign direct investment has increased.  Congress should strive to identify and remove burdens to attracting investment while enhancing the U.S. commitment to a policy environment conducive to private sector investment.  Not only would such an effort promote domestic economic growth and job creation, it would encourage other nations to do the same, which, in turn, would likely lead to greater opening of markets abroad to U.S. products and services. H.R. 5910 and S.3274 are important steps towards assessing the impact of foreign direct investment.

            The Chamber applauds the sponsors and cosponsors of this important legislation for their leadership on this issue.

                                                                        Sincerely,
                                                           
                                                                        R. Bruce Josten

# # #

 *This mailbox is not attended. Please send any inquiries to Maura_Hogan@Kerry.senate.gov or call (202) 224-4159*

 

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