Business Roundtable is an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies with $4.5 trillion in annual revenues and nearly 10 million employees. Member companies comprise nearly a third of the total value of the U.S. stock markets and represent over 40 percent of all corporate income taxes paid to the federal government. Collectively, they returned $114 billion in dividends to shareholders and the economy in 2006.

Roundtable companies give more than $7 billion a year in combined charitable contributions, representing nearly 60 percent of total corporate giving. They are technology innovation leaders, with $90 billion in annual research and development spending - nearly half of the total private R&D spending in the U.S.

The Roundtable unites these top CEOs, amplifying their diverse business perspectives and voices on solutions to some of the world's most difficult challenges. Combining those insights with policy know-how, the Roundtable innovates and advocates to help expand economic opportunity for all Americans.

The Roundtable believes the basic interests of business closely parallel the interests of American workers, who are directly linked to companies as consumers, employees, shareholders, and suppliers. In their roles as CEOs, Business Roundtable members are responsible for the jobs, products, services and benefits that affect the economic well-being of all Americans.

Robust participation by member CEOs is a key strength of the Roundtable. The organization is selective in the issues it addresses, a principal criterion being their potential impact on the economic well-being of the nation.

Working in five distinct focus areas called Initiatives, members direct research, supervise preparation of position papers, recommend policy, and lobby Congress and the administration. These five Initiatives are:

• Consumer Health and Retirement Initiative
• Corporate Leadership Initiative
• Education, Innovation and Workforce Initiative
• International Engagement Initiative
• Sustainable Growth Initiative

Only through sustainable, non-inflationary, long-term economic growth will America's citizens, communities and companies remain competitive in the rapidly changing international economy. Business Roundtable asserts that to do this, the United States must create policies that foster a flexible and available workforce, sustainable cost structures and fair rules.

Business Roundtable believes its potential for effectiveness is rooted in the direct, personal participation of its CEO members, who present government with reasoned alternatives and positive policy suggestions. The Roundtable seeks to identify issues early, employ careful research, and understand the problems faced by government as well as business. It serves as a catalyst, stimulating individual business leaders to become more active in public policy and often forming coalitions with other groups.