Co-founder John Harper of ALCOA sets a goal for Business Roundtable: “Overall, it becomes clear to me that business must take an active, aggressive role in developing understanding of and support for the free-market system by reestablishing the public’s confidence in business. Without question, we have our work cut out for us.”
Business Roundtable (BRT) announces formation of a new Security & Economic Recovery Task Force to deal with security issues facing corporate America following the terrorist attacks of September 11. Business Roundtable Chairman John Dillon said: “This new effort will focus on the security of our employees and their families, our workplaces and our key buildings and structures – gas pipelines, telecommunications networks, power plants, energy grids, and more – that face these new threats from terrorism.” CEOs also meet with Secretary of Homeland Security Tom Ridge.
Business Roundtable announces the Partnership for Disaster Relief to expand the private sector commitment to global relief efforts by creating an unprecedented network to expedite relief to disaster victims. Business Roundtable companies have donated $200 million in funding, services and materials to tsunami relief.
Business Roundtable releases its first sustainability report, “‘SEE’ing Change,” documenting how America’s leading companies are setting challenging goals for environmental and social improvement while increasing business value. From an original 32 companies that contributed to the report, the number of participants has grown to 155 in 2017.
Under the leadership of Chairman Ivan Seidenberg, Business Roundtable establishes a Housing Working Group to develop policies to restore stability and growth to the U.S. housing market. In November 2009, President Obama signs a homebuyer tax credit extension and a new credit for existing homeowners, top recommendations from the working group.
In a speech at the Economic Club of Washington, Chairman Ivan Seidenberg says CEOs are seeing a growing disconnect between Washington and the business community that “is harming our ability to expand the economy and grow private-sector jobs in the U.S.” He lays out a policy agenda for economic growth and U.S. competitiveness, focusing on capital formation, exports, infrastructure, education and innovation.
One-hundred-and-sixty-eight CEOs send congressional leaders a letter calling for compromise to avoid going over the “fiscal cliff” by defaulting on U.S. debt. “The United States will suffer significant negative economic, employment, and social consequences,” Chairman James McNerney and his Business Roundtable colleagues write. “In many cases the damage will be long-lasting, if not permanent. But it does not have to happen.”
Business Roundtable releases policy recommendations, “Taking Action on Immigration Realistic Solutions for Fixing a Broken System,” calling for increased border enforcement, legal immigration to meet the demands of the U.S. economy, and a path toward legal status for undocumented workers.
Business Roundtable Chairman Randall Stephenson, Chairman and CEO of AT&T Inc., praises introduction of Trade Promotion Authority legislation. “Trade Promotion Authority is critical to completing new trade agreements that have the potential to unleash U.S. economic growth and investment,” he says. The Roundtable and allies push for its enactment for more than a year, President Obama signs the bill into law on June 29, 2015.
Historic tax reform passes Congress, achieving top Business Roundtable priorities. Chairman Jamie Dimon hails its passage: “Congress and the Administration have achieved critical reform that will grow the economy, raise wages for American workers and boost business investment and hiring in the United States.”
Following passage of historic tax reform and the executive branch's embrace of a smarter approach toward regulation, the Business Roundtable CEO Economic Outlook Survey reaches its highest point in its history, as CEOs plan for new investment, hiring and anticipate growing sales.