[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 26130]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        U.S. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

  (Mr. CONAWAY asked and was given permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Mr. CONAWAY. Madam Speaker, it seems that the Obama administration 
has set its sights on yet another target of political dissension: the 
U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber represents roughly 3 million 
businesses with more than 96 percent of its membership being comprised 
of small businesses of 100 employees or fewer, the very backbone of our 
economy.
  The Chamber has expressed concern regarding various proposals, such 
as the regulation of greenhouse gases and a government-run health care 
plan, policies that, if enacted, would ultimately devastate small 
businesses across this country.
  It appears that the Obama administration is actively circumventing 
the masses of members within the Chamber to try to craft side deals 
with a few individuals in an effort to persuade defections. It seems 
that it is all part of a grand strategy to marginalize a well-respected 
organization with legitimate policy differences.
  When Barack Obama promised a new kind of politics, I don't believe a 
divide-and-conquer strategy based simply on disagreement with the 
American people is what the American people had in mind.
  I encourage the Chamber to continue to stand up against any business 
policies, regardless of political pressure. The millions of businesses, 
many of which are located in my State and congressional district, will 
be grateful for their resolve.

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