BUSINESS ROUNDTABLE
The Business Roundtable is an association of chief executive officers (CEOs) representing the top corporations in the United States, joined together to examine and advocate for public policy that will “foster vigorous economic growth and a dynamic global economy.†Estab-
lished in 1972 by 200 leading executives from
major U.S. corporations, the Roundtable was
founded upon the idea that business executives
should take an increased role in public policy
that affects the economics of the American peo-
ple. The belief is that the basic interests of busi-
ness closely parallel the interests of average
citizens, who are directly involved in the econ-
omy as consumers, employees, investors, and
suppliers. Thus, business leaders have a respon-
sibility to actively influence the economic well-
being of the country.
As the Roundtable sees it, one of its princi-
pal strengths “is the extent of participation by
the chief executive officers of the member com-
panies.†CEOs work in task forces on specific
topics and issues that currently impact the social
and economic well-being of the United States.
For example, in 2003, task forces were in place to
focus on such issues as civil justice reform, the
digital economy, the environment, and security.
Each task force is headed by a chief executive,
and is assisted by a support staff composed of
employees from task force member companies
who are experts in the field. Task force members
conduct research, craft policy recommenda-
tions, and create action plans. They also draft
position papers on major issues, which are used
in a variety of ways, including congressional tes-
timony.
Activities of the task forces are reviewed by
the Roundtable Policy Committee, which is the
governing body of the organization. The Policy
Committee is composed of all Roundtable CEOs.
At the helm of the Roundtable is a chief executive
who serves as chairman. The chairman is elected
for a one-year term. He or she is assisted by
between two to four cochairmen. These executive
chairmen, combined with the task force chair-
men make up the Planning Committee for the
organization. The Planning Committee provides
general strategy and guidance.
192 BUSINESS RECORD EXCEPTION
In an effort to ensure that a broad base of
information is represented in all decision mak-
ing, membership in the organization is diversi-
fied. Thus, CEOs come from all areas of business
and all areas of the United States. Such diversity
ensures a cross section of thinking on national
issues. Roundtable members also have a contin-
uing liaison with other organizations that are
directly involved with the concerns at hand.
Since the millennium, the Roundtable car-
ried out significant LOBBYING efforts before the
U.S. Congress for passage of the presidential
trade negotiating authority (2001); proposed to
the GEORGE W. BUSH administration a $300 bil-
lion incentive package for economic growth
(2002); and announced an unprecedented Cli-
mate RESOLVE initiative calling for voluntary
action by all businesses to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (2003).
FURTHER READINGS
BRT. 2003. “The Business Roundtable Announces Its Resolve
to Voluntarily Control Greenhouse Gas Emissions.”
Press Release, February 12, 2003.
BRT. 2002. “The Business Roundtable Calls For $300 Billion
Growth Package.” Press Release, November 21, 2002.
Business Roundtable. Available online at
Koffer, Keith. 2001. “BRT Mobilizes Lobbyists, Funds for
Trade Negotiating Authority.” CongressDaily AM (May
9).
