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The National Security and Emergency Preparedness Division

Background:

American business has a multifaceted stake in a strong national defense and a homeland security policy that safeguards Americans while also protecting their mobility, their freedom and their way of life. If terrorism or the threat of it chokes off our ability to move people and goods in a global economy, we will pay a tremendous price in growth and prosperity.

U.S. Chamber Position:

The Chamber's National Security and Emergency Preparedness Division will pursue the following goals and activities:

Develop an ongoing, multifaceted program of advocacy, partnership and influence with the Department of Homeland Security to create policies that boost the economy while increasing safety.
Promote a strong national defense, which is essential to American business in the United States and around the world.
Increase the role of industry in civil military affairs through strong advocacy in manpower and quality of life issues.

Policy Issues:

Customs, Border and Transportation Security: The Chamber will constantly monitor new rules and issue comments to proposed rules and work to ensure that regulators to not choke off the flow of legitimate goods and people internationally.

Critical Infrastructure Protection, Information Sharing and Cyber Security: The Chamber supports the establishment of rules that provide legal protection for companies who conduct risk assessments and share information on vulnerabilities with the appropriate government entities.

Science and Technology: The "Support Anti-Terrorism by Fostering Effective Technologies Act of 2002" (SAFTEY Act) is intended to ensure that the threat of liability does not deter potential sellers of anti-terrorism technologies from developing and commercializing technology vital to the security of the United States. The Chamber is committed to working with DHS on implementation of the Act.

National Guard and Reserve: The Chamber is committed to working with senior members of the Department of Defense on making deployment in and out dates more predictable; communicating long-term deployment strategy in this new era so that businesses can more effectively plan for employee absence; and implementing a modern, information technology driven call up system that gives employers, families and Guard and Reserve troops longer notification times and greater predictability.

Chamber Comments on Protected Critical Infrastructure Program Interim Rule May 20, 2004 (PDF)

U.S Chamber Testimony on Cyber Security Awareness -- April 21, 2004 (PDF)

U.S Chamber, Cyber Security Partnership Report Lays Out Blueprint for Improvements to Critical Infrastructure March, 18, 2004

Chamber Comments on US VISIT Biometric Requirements -- February 4, 2004

Chamber Comments on Department of Homeland Security Acquisition Regulation -- January 5, 2004 (PDF)

Chamber Testimony on the SAFETY Act -- September 25, 2003 (PDF)

Chamber Comments on the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection's Proposal on Advance Electronic Presentation of Cargo Information -- August 22, 2003 (PDF)

Chamber Comments on the SAFETY Act -- August 11, 2003 (PDF)

Testimony by Randel K. Johnson on the Impact of Visa Delays on Businesses -- July 10, 2003

See Related Content

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Legislation

FY2006 House Homeland Security Appropriations-Manager's Amendment (PDF)

FY2006 House Homeland Security Appropriations-Full Committee Print (PDF)

FY2006 House Homeland Security Appropriations-Committee Report (PDF)

Resources

ASIS General Security Risk Assessment (PDF)

ASIS Homeland Security Advisory System (PDF)

ASIS Practical Guide to Business Continuity (PDF)

Cybersecurity Accomplishments (PDF)

Our Military Kids

National Committee of Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve

Small Business Administration Reserve Resource Center

U.S. Department of Homeland Security "Ready Business"

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