R. Bruce Josten

 

R. Bruce Josten, executive vice president for Government Affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is the organization’s senior government and political affairs executive. He manages five major divisions: Congressional and Public Affairs; Economic Policy; Environment, Technology and Regulatory Affairs; Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits; and Political and Federation Relations.

 

Josten is considered one of American business’ most effective strategists in the ongoing battle with the trial lawyer lobby. He served as co-chair of the Coalition to Save Medicare and is sought after as one of the most knowledgeable and articulate pro-business advocates in the health care debate.

 

Josten is the key architect of the U.S. Chamber’s resurgent position as leader of the business community’s policy and grassroots activities in the 104th through the 109th Congresses. In the 104th Congress, when House and Senate leaders sought a prominent figure in the business community to head their balanced budget coalition—the key agenda item in the battle against big government—they turned to Josten and the Chamber. His persistent efforts resulted in the passage of the first balanced budget in 29 years and the first tax cut in 16 years.