The [[Business Roundtable

'''The Business Roundtable''' is a prominent advocacy group composed of chief executive officers from leading United States companies, including Apple Inc., Microsoft, JPMorgan Chase, and General Electric. The organization was founded in 1972 by Henry Ford II, Reginald H. Jones, and Frank T. Cary, with the goal of promoting free market policies and influencing public policy decisions. The Business Roundtable has been involved in various high-profile initiatives, including supporting the North American Free Trade Agreement and opposing the Glass-Steagall Act. Members of the organization have also played key roles in shaping the United States Chamber of Commerce and the National Association of Manufacturers.

History

The Business Roundtable was established in 1972, with Henry Ford II serving as its first chairman, and has since been led by prominent CEOs, including Reginald H. Jones, Frank T. Cary, and John A. Young. The organization has been involved in various significant events, such as the 1970s energy crisis, the 1980s recession, and the 2008 financial crisis. During this time, members of the Business Roundtable have worked closely with policymakers, including President Ronald Reagan, President Bill Clinton, and President Barack Obama, to shape key legislation, such as the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. The organization has also collaborated with other influential groups, including the Brookings Institution, the Heritage Foundation, and the Cato Institute.

Membership

The Business Roundtable has a diverse membership of over 200 CEOs from leading United States companies, including Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, Satya Nadella of Microsoft, and Tim Cook of Apple Inc.. Members also include CEOs from Procter & Gamble, Coca-Cola, and General Electric. The organization's membership has included notable CEOs, such as Lee Iacocca of Chrysler, Jack Welch of General Electric, and Lou Gerstner of IBM. The Business Roundtable has also been associated with other prominent business leaders, including Warren Buffett of Berkshire Hathaway, Bill Gates of Microsoft, and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook.

Policy Initiatives

The Business Roundtable has been involved in various policy initiatives, including supporting trade agreements, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The organization has also advocated for tax reform, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and has supported efforts to deregulate industries, such as finance and energy. Members of the Business Roundtable have worked closely with policymakers, including Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, to shape key legislation and regulations. The organization has also collaborated with other influential groups, including the American Enterprise Institute, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Criticisms and Controversies

The Business Roundtable has faced criticism and controversy over the years, including accusations of promoting income inequality and supporting environmentally harmful policies. The organization has been criticized by labor unions, such as the AFL-CIO and the Service Employees International Union, for its support of free trade agreements and its opposition to worker protections. The Business Roundtable has also been criticized by environmental groups, such as the Sierra Club and the Natural Resources Defense Council, for its support of fossil fuel development and its opposition to climate change regulations. Members of the organization have also faced criticism, including Jamie Dimon of JPMorgan Chase, who has been criticized for his role in the 2008 financial crisis, and Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook, who has been criticized for his company's handling of user data.

Structure and Leadership

The Business Roundtable is led by a chairman, who is elected by the organization's members, and a president, who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization. The current chairman of the Business Roundtable is Mary Barra of General Motors, and the president is Joshua Bolten, a former White House Chief of Staff under President George W. Bush. The organization is divided into several committees, including the Committee on Economic Policy and the Committee on Education and Workforce. The Business Roundtable also has a number of associate members, including universities and research institutions, such as Harvard University, Stanford University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The organization has also partnered with other influential groups, including the World Economic Forum and the International Chamber of Commerce.

Category:Business organizations