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Business Leaders Push Filibuster Reform to Avoid Worst-Case Scenario for Business

Business Leaders Push Filibuster Reform to Avoid Worst-Case Scenario for Business

Published 07-15-13

Submitted by American Sustainable Business Council

As the U.S. Senate wrangles over nominations including Gina McCarthy as head of the EPA and Richard Corday of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) released a letter it sent last week to Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid. The letter urged reform of filibuster rules to enable confirmation of Presidential nominees, in order to ensure the proper functioning of government.

“When leadership is withheld at regulatory agencies, it’s the worst case scenario for business,” said Richard Eidlin, Public Policy Director for ASBC. “It trickles down to a lack of clarity and predictability for every industry concerned. For businesses to be their most productive and innovative, they need clear rules. That’s why we need strong leadership in these agencies.”

ASBC has supported Gina McCarthy’s nomination in the past. In the letter, the group suggests that her confirmation is being held up by Senators who are opposed to the work of the EPA, rather than questions about the competency of Ms. McCarthy to lead. It said in part, “The filibuster is being used to block nominees who are seemingly uncontroversial, simply to express displeasure with the work agencies are doing. We are already seeing those kinds of attacks focused on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).”

The letter also said, “At a time when many agencies are led by interim directors and action is needed on a multitude of issues, some Senators refuse to even allow an up-or-down vote on nominees, even those whose qualifications are beyond dispute.”

ASBC supports reforming filibuster rules so that only 51 votes are needed for executive branch and judicial nominees.

The letter concluded, “We call on the Senate to take action on filibuster reform for nominees and start working together to address the important issues we face. The American business community expects nothing less.”

The full letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid maybe found here: asbcouncil.org/sites/default/files/library/docs/asbc_filibuster_reform_support_letter_7-10-13_final.pdf.

The American Sustainable Business Council and its member organizations represent more than 165,000 businesses nationwide, and more than 300,000 entrepreneurs, executives, managers and investors. The council includes chambers of commerce, trade associations and groups representing small business, investors, microenterprise, social enterprise, green and sustainable business, local living economy, and women and minority business leaders. ASBC informs and engages policy makers and the public about the need and opportunities for building a vibrant and sustainable economy. www.asbcouncil.org

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American Sustainable Business Council

American Sustainable Business Council

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) is a national coalition of mission-driven businesses, social enterprises and sustainable business networks working to create a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. What unites us is a deep belief that we must move to a new economy that is grounded in principles of sustainability and equity.

The Council represents over 55,000 businesses and enterprises and more than 150,000 executives, owners, investors, entrepreneurs and business professionals. It is comprised of partners, which are organizations that represent businesses and social enterprises as well as entrepreneurs, executives, owners and investors committed to building a vibrant, just, and sustainable economy.

ASBC promotes policy change by educating and informing the business community, policy makers and the media about the business case for change, and by engaging the leaders of businesses and enterprises in building broad support for the policies America needs. We work on a range of policy areas, including: financial reform, health care, chemicals policy, climate change and business taxes.

We believe that the policies that will lead us to a sustainable and just economy are also good for business and good for America. Making the right commitments and investments will produce more and better jobs, build strength in key technologies, and make the U.S. more independent and secure.

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