Chamber chief urges government to avoid overregulation

December 14, 2011

The Norfolk Virginian-Pilot

By Philip Walzer

The head of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce lauded free enterprise and blasted overregulation and trade barriers Tuesday during a speech at the Founders Inn.

"There are more regulations in the pipeline in America today than there are regulations in America today," said Thomas Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

If the additional regulations are approved, "the government is going to be our big brother," he said. "I've got enough big brothers. I don't need them."

The chamber, which boasts 3 million members, is considered the most influential lobbying group for U.S. businesses. Donohue has led it since 1997. Under his tenure, according to its website, the chamber has lobbied for tax cuts, "more sensible workplace and environmental regulations" and "new free and fair-trade agreements."

Donohue championed that agenda during much of his 30-minute talk to about 400 people. His address was part of Regent University's Executive Leadership Series.

He spoke in support of recent trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea and advocated others with "Brazil, India, Egypt and, oh yes, China.

"I want the United States to remain open to the flow of foreign capital," Donohue said. "Foreign investment sustains millions and millions of jobs here at home."

He criticized President Barack Obama for opposing the Keystone XL oil pipeline and expansion of nuclear plants, which Donohue said would make the nation more energy self-sufficient.

"There is only one word to describe the failure to seize that opportunity," he said, "and that word is dumb."

Virginia Beach City Councilman Glenn Davis asked Donohue what he thought of public-private partnerships. Davis has voiced concern about a public-private proposal to build a $109 million hotel near the Virginia Beach Convention Center, at an initial cost of $67 million to the city.

Donohue said there have been "perfectly worthwhile" partnerships in areas such as medicine and transportation, as long as government does not hog-tie businesses with excessive regulations.

On the Social Security payroll tax cut, which has divided Washington, Donohue took a measured stance: "I'm sure it helps individuals. I'm not sure it creates jobs. We will not oppose it."

Donohue said he hoped it would be accompanied by approval of the Keystone pipeline, connecting Canada to Texas. But policymakers, he said, should look beyond the immediate benefits of the tax cut to the long-range implications of diverting money from the Social Security system.

"If we do it," he said, "we have to think carefully of how we get out of this issue."

Donohue reserved his strongest praise for the country's free-enterprise system. He mocked commencement speakers who urge graduates to bypass business careers for public service.

"There is no more honorable profession," he said, "than to participate in the entrepreneurial economy that made this country great."

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