Chamber CEO issues tax reform warning: ‘Failure is not an option’

U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tom Donohue on Thursday warned lawmakers that they could hurt their standings with the group if they don’t show a desire to pass tax-reform legislation.

“In the coming weeks, the Chamber will be launching a multi-faceted effort in support of comprehensive tax reform. And a year from now, we will be evaluating Congressional candidates based on their support of the free enterprise system and their willingness to govern, as demonstrated by what role they played in helping enact the first major tax reform in 30 years,” Donohue wrote in an open letter to Congress and congressional candidates. “Members of Congress be warned: Failure is not an option.”

The letter is the latest example of the business community’s growing feeling that lawmakers have been slow to enact their priorities. Last month, the Chamber and three other leading business groups sent a letter to congressional leaders urging action to advance tax reform.

{mosads}Thursday marked six months since President Trump’s inauguration and the start of Republican control of the White House, House and Senate. But the Senate’s efforts to repeal and replace ObamaCare have hit a major setback, and lawmakers have yet to introduce tax reform legislation.

“We are a quarter of the way through this Congress, but we are not yet where we need to be on key issues like health care, tax reform, and rebuilding our crumbling infrastructure,” Donohue wrote. “Promises were made; promises must be kept.”

Donohue expressed frustration that there is a “seeming inability to come together” on many issues, even just within the Republican Party. And he also criticized Democrats for slowing down the process of confirming Trump’s nominees.

“The challenge of governing requires a willingness to step beyond looking for reasons to oppose things to finding reasons to support policies that are good for the country,” Donohue wrote. “The time has long since passed to get to ‘yes’ on healthcare, tax reform, and infrastructure investment.”

Donohue urged lawmakers to focus on tax reforms that could grow the economy.

“It has been 30 years since our tax code was updated and American businesses and workers are suffering as a result,” he wrote.