Business legislation is a bit more complicated. Two groups that represent almost opposite viewpoints on business issues are the AFL-CIO (the federation of America's labor unions) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The AFL-CIO represents more than 13 million working women and men. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world's largest not-for-profit business federation. According to its promotional material, "Since 1912, the U.S. Chamber has been your voice of business in Washington.".

These 2 organizations agree on one or two things but more often than not have opposing views. In 2001, for instance, the AFL-CIO supported ergonomic safety rules to prevent crippling repetitive stress injuries in the workplace. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce opposed them because they would increase business costs.

The Chamber favored the Trade Promotion Authority Act ('Fast Track'), which would weaken Congressional oversight over trade agreements and give the President more power to negotiate them. Not surprisingly, the AFL-CIO opposed this because it could worsen worker rights and protections and harm the environment.

The Chamber, by and large, favored tax cuts including the elimination of inheritance taxes. The AFL-CIO opposed several pieces of legislation dealing with tax cuts and incentives for businesses including H.R. 1836 which it calls the 'millionaire tax cut.' They point out that according to Citizens for Tax Justice, more than 38% of the tax cut benefits would go to the wealthiest 1% of taxpayers who make $373,000 or more annually. Even if lower income people get some reduction in taxes, those reductions would be negated by decreased services. Lower tax revenue to the Federal Government would make it virtually impossible for Congress to strengthen Social Security and Medicare in future sessions. Also, it is doubtful there would be enough funds available for a Medicare prescription drug benefit or for other needed investments in education and health care.

The Chamber supported containing health care costs by making it harder for HMO patients to sue health maintenance organizations. They also favored capping the potential liability that HMOs could be subject to from lawsuits brought by patients. The AFL-CIO opposed this legislation.