| BILL NAME |
SUMMARY OF BILL AND WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU |
U.S. CHAMBER'S POSITION |
STATUS |
Tax Code Improvements
H.R. 6601 Small Business Tax Modernization Act of 2008 |
This bill would create a standard home office deduction; allow a tax deduction for work cell phones; allow nonresident aliens to be S corporation shareholders; increase the deduction for business meals and entertainment for qualified small businesses; and reduce the recovery period for depreciation of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) equipment. |
The Chamber strongly supports this bill because it would remove onerous and outdated record-keeping requirements and increase small business access to capital. |
LAST ACTION Introduced July 24, 2008.
NEXT STEP Committee Vote |
Transportation Funding
H.R. 6532 |
This bill would transfer $8 billion from the General Fund to the Highway Trust Fund. Without this transfer, the revenue shortfall in the trust fund could lead to more than a 30% reduction in federal highway funds across all states in fiscal year 2009. |
The Chamber supports this bill because it would fund projects already under way and ensure necessary infrastructure maintenance, upgrades, and expansion. |
LAST ACTION Passed House July 23, 2008.
NEXT STEP Senate Vote |
Equal Pay Act Reform
H.R. 1338 Paycheck Fairness Act |
This bill would, among other things, make unlimited punitive and compensatory damages available for even unintentional violations of the Equal Pay Act, make it easier to bring class actions against employers, and limit an employer's ability to defend legitimate pay disparities. |
The Chamber opposes legislation that would radically expand liability for even unintentional wage differences and make it easier to trap employers in "gotcha" lawsuits. |
LAST ACTION Passed House July 31, 2008.
NEXT STEP Senate Vote |
Intellectual Property Rights
S. 3325 Enforcement of Intellectual Property Rights Act of 2008 |
This bill would bolster the federal government's ability to protect intellectual property (IP), toughen civil and criminal laws against counterfeiting and piracy, provide enhanced IP enforcement and prosecutorial resources, and improve IP coordination within the executive branch. |
The Chamber supports this legislation because it would send a strong signal to criminals that they cannot profit by stealing intellectual property from entrepreneurs and businesses. |
LAST ACTION Introduced July 25, 2008.
NEXT STEP Committee Vote |
Arbitration Clauses
H.R. 3010 S. 1782 Arbitration Fairness Act Of 2007 |
H.R. 3010 and its Senate companion, S. 1782, would eliminate the use of predispute arbitration clauses in future consumer, employment, and franchise contracts, and they would nullify predispute arbitration clauses in existing contracts if a contract dispute arises after enactment of the legislation. |
The Chamber opposes these bills because they would severely damage an alternative dispute resolution system that consumers and businesses have relied on for decades, disrupt current commercial arbitration practices, and increase litigation. |
LAST ACTION Passed House subcommittee July 15, 2008.
NEXT STEP Committee Vote |
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