Effort to be Organization’s Largest Ever

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The United States Chamber of Commerce is kicking off its 2006 nationwide voter education program with an extensive advertising campaign highlighting the positions of Congressional candidates on important business issues. The first set of ads focuses on lawmakers’ support for providing seniors with the new prescription drug benefit under Medicare, a program strongly backed by the business community. “Knowledgeable voters will be pro-business voters,” said Bill Miller, Chamber vice president and political director.

“American citizens understand the importance of a strong economy, but don’t always know where candidates stand on important economic issues. We’re going to help educate them so that when they go to the voting booth this November, they’ll have a greater understanding of the policies that will create jobs and grow the economy.”

The Chamber will run ads throughout the August recess and into the fall, starting with the ads on the prescription drug benefit. A series of other ads on important business issues will follow. The ad campaign will be supplemented with direct mail, phone calls, and a Web site designed to increase awareness of issues critical to the business community.

The advertising campaign is only one component of the Chamber’s 2006 VoteForBusiness voter education program. The Chamber is partnering with state and local chambers of commerce and corporate members to conduct a bus tour called the “VoteForBusiness Bandwagon.”

The bus will visit a number of destinations in August to educate the business community about the importance of getting employees involved in the elections. The Chamber is also highlighting its VoteForBusiness Web site (www.VoteForBusiness.com), which provides pro-business activists with the tools they need to stay informed.

The Chamber’s 2006 voter education program builds on its previous efforts. During the 2004 voter education program, the Chamber devoted significant resources to educate voters and organize get-out-the-vote efforts and, in addition, worked with its members in nine key Senate races and 28 House contests.

The U.S. Chamber is the world’s largest business federation, representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector and region.