The U.S. Chamber of Commerce, joined by the Business Roundtable, the Texas Association of Business, and the Longview Chamber of Commerce, filed a lawsuit in Tyler, Texas federal court against the FTC and Chair Lina Khan over the commission’s vote to ban noncompete clauses used to block …
U.S. Chamber of CommerceFederal Trade CommissionLina KhanBusiness Roundtableantitrustftcchamber-of-commercecorporate-lobbyinglabor-rights+2 more
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed a lawsuit against the Federal Trade Commission in December 2023, alleging a lack of transparency and accountability under Chairwoman Lina Khan’s leadership. The business group alleged that the FTC had regularly avoided responding to lawful requests for public …
U.S. Chamber of CommerceFederal Trade CommissionLina KhanSuzanne Clarkantitrustftcchamber-of-commercecorporate-lobbyingregulatory-resistance+1 more
By early 2017, 28 U.S. states have right-to-work laws, with eight traditionally industrial and union-strong states adopting the legislation since 2010 using American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) model legislation: Indiana and Michigan (2012), Wisconsin (2015), West Virginia (2016), and …
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)Koch brothersAmericans for ProsperityU.S. Chamber of CommerceNational Association of Manufacturers+1 morelabor-suppressionalecright-to-workunion-bustingstate-capture+4 more
Following the 2010 Tea Party midterm elections that gave Republicans control of 26 state legislatures (gaining 675 state legislative seats), the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) holds its States and Nation Policy Summit in Washington, D.C., December 1-3, with the agenda focused on …
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)Scott FitzgeraldKoch brothersAmericans for ProsperityRepublican Partylabor-suppressionalecright-to-workunion-bustingstate-capture+3 more
At a December 2009 meeting of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)’s Public Safety and Elections Task Force, Arizona State Senator Russell Pearce sits behind closed doors with executives from Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) and lobbyists from the for-profit bail industry …
ALECCorrections Corporation of America (CCA)Russell PearceJan BrewerGEO Group+2 morealecprivate-prisonprison-industrial-compleximmigrationarizona+4 more
Senator Arlen Specter announces on March 24, 2009, that he will not support the Employee Free Choice Act, effectively killing labor’s top legislative priority despite Democratic control of the presidency and both houses of Congress. EFCA would have allowed workers to form unions through …
Barack ObamaU.S. Chamber of CommerceBusiness RoundtableAFL-CIOU.S. Senate+1 morelaborlabor-law-reformcorporate-lobbyingcard-checkfilibuster+1 more
In one of his final acts as president, Bill Clinton implements the “Roadless Rule,” prohibiting road construction, timber harvest, and most commercial development on nearly 58 million acres of pristine national forest land—more than a quarter of the entire National Forest System. The …
Bill ClintonU.S. Forest ServiceTimber IndustryMining Industryenvironmentpublic-landsderegulationnatural-resourcesconservation+1 more
President Bill Clinton signs the Sonny Bono Copyright Term Extension Act (CTEA), extending copyright terms by 20 years—from life plus 50 years to life plus 70 years for individual authors, and from 75 to 95 years for corporate works. The legislation, derisively nicknamed the ‘Mickey Mouse …
Walt Disney CompanyBill ClintonTime WarnerUniversalViacom+2 moreintellectual-propertycopyrightregulatory-capturecorporate-lobbyingdisney+2 more
President Bill Clinton signs the Telecommunications Act of 1996 into law, eliminating the national cap on radio station ownership (previously 40 stations maximum) and increasing the television audience reach cap from 25% to 35%, triggering one of the largest media consolidation waves in American …
Bill ClintonU.S. CongressFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Clear Channel CommunicationsViacom+1 moremedia-consolidationderegulationtelecommunications-actcorporate-lobbyingfcc+2 more
In 1996, ALEC adopted an internal business plan that explicitly redefined the organization’s purpose in commercial terms, cementing its pay-to-play structure for moving pro-corporate legislation through state legislatures. The plan stated: “ALEC must begin to function more like a …
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)corporate-capturelegislative-capturealecpay-to-playcorporate-lobbying+1 more
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), with Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) serving as co-chair of its Criminal Justice Task Force, passes the “Three Strikes You’re Out Act” model legislation requiring mandatory life imprisonment after a third felony conviction. …
ALECCorrections Corporation of America (CCA)GEO GroupNational Rifle AssociationRobert Britton+1 morealecmass-incarcerationprivate-prisonprison-industrial-complexthree-strikes+3 more
U.S. businesses and the Mexican government launch a $25 million coordinated lobbying and public relations campaign to secure Congressional approval of NAFTA, overcoming fierce opposition from labor unions and environmental groups. The Business Roundtable, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and National …
Business RoundtableU.S. Chamber of CommerceNational Association of ManufacturersAmerican ExpressMexican Government+2 morenaftacorporate-lobbyingtrade-policylabor-oppositionbusiness-roundtable+2 more
On November 15, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed the Clean Air Act Amendments, the most significant update to air pollution law since 1970. While the law achieved real environmental gains, the legislative process demonstrated how industry successfully shaped regulatory approaches to minimize …
George H.W. BushEnvironmental Defense FundEdison Electric InstituteAmerican Petroleum InstituteNational Coal Association+1 moreenvironmentalclean-air-actregulatory-captureemissions-tradingcorporate-lobbying+1 more
On March 24, 1989, the Exxon Valdez oil tanker ran aground in Prince William Sound, Alaska, spilling 11 million gallons of crude oil and devastating 1,300 miles of coastline. Beyond the immediate environmental catastrophe, Exxon’s response established a template for corporate liability evasion …
In 1989, major fossil fuel and automobile companies formed the Global Climate Coalition (GCC), an industry front group that would spend over a decade blocking international climate action while publicly claiming the science was uncertain. Internal documents later revealed the coalition’s own …
ExxonMobilShellChevronFord Motor CompanyGeneral Motors+3 moreenvironmentalclimate-denialcorporate-lobbyingfossil-fuelsregulatory-capture+1 more
In August 1988, Ron Arnold and Alan Gottlieb convened the Multiple Use Strategy Conference in Reno, Nevada, launching the “Wise Use” movement. The conference brought together 250 representatives from timber, mining, ranching, and oil interests to coordinate an industry-funded campaign …
Ron ArnoldAlan GottliebCenter for the Defense of Free EnterpriseAmerican Petroleum InstituteNational Mining Association+2 moreenvironmentalastroturfcorporate-lobbyingpublic-landsregulatory-capture+1 more
FCC Chairman Dennis R. Patrick’s Commission votes 4-0 to abolish the Fairness Doctrine in the Syracuse Peace Council decision, eliminating the 38-year requirement that broadcast licensees using publicly-owned airwaves must provide balanced coverage of controversial issues and present opposing …
Dennis R. PatrickFederal Communications Commission (FCC)Ronald ReaganMark S. FowlerMimi Weyforth Dawson+3 moremedia-regulationfairness-doctrinederegulationfccregulatory-capture+3 more
Thomas W. Beasley (chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party), Robert Crants, and T. Don Hutto found Corrections Corporation of America (CCA) in Nashville, Tennessee, creating the first modern for-profit prison company. After a 15-minute presentation on Valentine’s Day 1983, Massey Burch …
Thomas W. BeasleyRobert CrantsT. Don HuttoCorrections Corporation of America (CCA)Massey Burch Investment Group+1 moreprivate-prisonprison-industrial-complexmass-incarcerationcorporate-lobbyinginstitutional-capture+1 more
On December 11, 1980, President Jimmy Carter signed the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), commonly known as Superfund. While the law represented a landmark response to Love Canal and thousands of toxic waste sites nationwide, industry lobbying had …
Jimmy CarterChemical Manufacturers AssociationAmerican Petroleum InstituteU.S. Chamber of CommerceInsurance industry lobbyistsenvironmentalsuperfundtoxic-wasteregulatory-capturecorporate-lobbying+1 more
By the end of the 1970s, corporate public affairs offices in Washington dramatically expanded from 100 in 1968 to over 500, with registered corporate lobbyists increasing from 175 in 1971 to nearly 2,500. This unprecedented mobilization, influenced by the Powell Memo, represented a systematic …
U.S. Chamber of CommerceCorporate Lobbying IndustryLewis PowellFortune 500 Leadershipcapture-cascadecorporate-lobbyingwashington-dcinstitutional-capturepolitical-infrastructure+1 more
After six cloture attempts fail to break a Senate filibuster, the Labor Law Reform Act of 1978 dies on June 22, marking the most significant corporate lobbying victory since Taft-Hartley and demonstrating that even with Democratic supermajorities and a Democratic president, business interests can …
Business RoundtableU.S. Chamber of CommerceNational Association of ManufacturersAFL-CIOU.S. Senate+1 morelaborlabor-lawfilibustercorporate-lobbyingbusiness-roundtable+1 more
On December 28, 1973, President Nixon signed the Endangered Species Act (ESA) into law after it passed the Senate 92-0 and the House 355-4. The near-unanimous votes masked deep industry opposition that would fuel decades of efforts to weaken the law through administrative action, litigation, and …
Richard NixonAmerican Mining CongressNational Forest Products AssociationAmerican Farm Bureau FederationWestern States Petroleum Association+1 moreenvironmentalendangered-species-actregulatory-capturecorporate-lobbyingwildlife
Comprehensive organizational analysis exposes the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) as a systematic state legislative capture mechanism operating under 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status while functioning as corporate lobbying operation. ALEC’s structure enables corporations to directly …
American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)Paul WeyrichHenry HydeLou BarnettCorporate membersorganizational-profilestate-legislative-capturecorporate-lobbyingmodel-legislationclosed-door-policy+2 more
Conservative activist Paul Weyrich, with Representatives Henry Hyde and others, founds the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) in Chicago—the same year Weyrich co-founds the Heritage Foundation with financial backing from beer magnate Joseph Coors. ALEC is established specifically to …
Paul WeyrichHenry HydeAmerican Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC)Heritage FoundationJoseph Coors+1 morealecstate-capturemodel-legislationcorporate-lobbyingconservative-movement+1 more
On October 18, 1972, Congress overrode President Nixon’s veto of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments, known as the Clean Water Act. The overwhelming bipartisan override (52-12 in the Senate, 247-23 in the House) represented a rare defeat for industrial polluters who had lobbied …
Richard NixonEdmund MuskieAmerican Petroleum InstituteChemical Manufacturers AssociationNational Association of Manufacturers+1 moreenvironmentalclean-water-actregulatory-capturecorporate-lobbyingpollution+1 more
On December 31, 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the Clean Air Act of 1970, establishing the most comprehensive air quality legislation in history. The act created national ambient air quality standards, gave the newly formed Environmental Protection Agency enforcement authority, set emission …
President Richard NixonSenator Edmund MuskieAmerican Petroleum InstituteNational Coal AssociationAutomotive Industry+1 moreenvironmental-regulationpublic-healthcorporate-lobbyingregulatory-reform
On December 29, 1970, President Richard Nixon signed the Occupational Safety and Health Act, creating the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and establishing for the first time comprehensive federal authority to set and enforce workplace safety standards. The legislation responded …
President Richard NixonU.S. CongressAFL-CIONational Association of ManufacturersChamber of Commerceworker-rightsregulatory-reformcorporate-lobbyinglabor-movementpublic-health
On September 9, 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act, establishing the first federal safety standards for automobiles and creating what would become the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The legislation passed unanimously after …
President Lyndon B. JohnsonRalph NaderGeneral MotorsJames RocheSenator Abraham Ribicoffconsumer-protectioncorporate-lobbyingregulatory-reformautomotive-industrywhistleblower
On September 3, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Wilderness Act into law, establishing the National Wilderness Preservation System and designating 9.1 million acres of federal land as protected wilderness. The legislation defined wilderness as “an area where the earth and its …
President Lyndon B. JohnsonHoward ZahniserWilderness SocietyU.S. Forest ServiceMining Industry+1 moreenvironmental-regulationpublic-landscorporate-lobbyingconservation
On December 17, 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Clean Air Act of 1963, the first federal legislation to establish a framework for controlling air pollution at the national level. The act authorized $95 million for research and state grants to develop pollution control programs, and gave …
President John F. KennedyPresident Lyndon B. JohnsonU.S. CongressAmerican Petroleum InstituteNational Coal Associationenvironmental-regulationpublic-healthcorporate-lobbyingregulatory-reform
On October 10, 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed the Kefauver-Harris Amendment to the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, fundamentally transforming pharmaceutical regulation in the United States. The legislation, driven by the thalidomide disaster in Europe, required drug manufacturers to …
Senator Estes KefauverRepresentative Oren HarrisPresident John F. KennedyFrances KelseyRichardson-Merrell+1 moreregulatory-reformpharmaceutical-industrypublic-healthcorporate-lobbyingfda
The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) board selects Werner P. Gullander as the organization’s first full-time permanent president by 1962, following a late 1950s organizational restructuring where declining membership resulted in a takeover by larger corporations that purged …
National Association of ManufacturersWerner P. GullanderNational Defense Committeenammilitary-industrial-complexdefense-contractorscorporate-lobbyingmilitarization
The American Medical Association launches Operation Coffee Cup in 1961, funding a sophisticated astroturf campaign to defeat Medicare by distributing a long-play record featuring a young Ronald Reagan outlining the dangers of “socialized medicine” to the Women’s Auxiliary of the …
American Medical AssociationRonald ReaganLoyal DavisWomen's Auxiliary of the AMAhealthcare-profiteeringastroturfingamaronald-reaganmedicare-opposition+2 more
At the dawn of the 1960s, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce membership has grown to over 2.5 million dues-paying members, unified behind the organization’s aggressive support of capitalism and anti-communist mobilization in the face of what it characterizes as domestic and foreign threats. The …
U.S. Chamber of CommerceAmerican Legionchamber-of-commerceanti-communistanti-unionred-scarecorporate-lobbying+1 more
National Association of Manufacturers Executive Vice President Charles R. Sligh Jr. delivers speeches in late 1958 calling for businessmen to become more involved in politics to build a “conservative coalition,” including presentations titled “This Is Public Affairs for the …
Charles R. Sligh Jr.National Association of Manufacturersnamconservative-movementbusiness-political-mobilizationcorporate-lobbying
President Dwight D. Eisenhower convenes a meeting of business executives in 1954 to encourage creation of a national organization making business people from both parties active participants in the political process, launching what becomes the Public Affairs Council. The organization is initially …
Dwight D. EisenhowerPublic Affairs CouncilEffective Citizens Organizationcorporate-lobbyingpolitical-mobilizationeisenhowerbusiness-political-coordinationpac
Legislative aides and representatives from business and industry, particularly members of the National Association of Manufacturers, draft committee bill H.R. 3020 that becomes the Taft-Hartley Act during 1947, with Congressman Donald O’Toole of New York later revealing that the anti-union …
National Association of ManufacturersRobert TaftFred HartleyDonald O'TooleJoseph Ball+2 moretaft-hartleylabor-suppressioncorporate-lobbyingnamlegislative-capture+1 more
The National Association of Manufacturers launches a massive multi-faceted propaganda campaign in response to the unprecedented 1946 strike wave, when nearly 10 percent of the US workforce goes on strike including major actions by the United Auto Workers against General Motors, United Steel Workers …
National Association of ManufacturersNational Industrial Information CouncilGeneral MotorsU.S. SteelGeneral Electric+3 morepropagandalabor-suppressioncorporate-lobbyingnamunion-busting+1 more
The Committee for Economic Development (CED) is founded in September 1942 as a nonprofit policy organization bringing together corporate executives, economists, and government officials to coordinate economic policy. The organization originates within the Commerce Department under FDR’s …
Committee for Economic DevelopmentPaul G. HoffmanWilliam BentonMarion B. FolsomJesse Jones+1 morecorporate-lobbyingpolicy-coordinationcedbusiness-roundtable-precursorinstitutional-capture