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Business leaders call on Thune, Schumer demanding pro-American business policy in wake of shutdown

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  Published in Business and Finance on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 10:37 GMT by Fox Business
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Business Leaders Urge Senate to Adopt “Pro‑American” Policies to Avoid a Federal Shutdown

A coalition of senior executives from some of the country’s largest and most influential companies has issued a sharply worded appeal to Senate Majority Leader John Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. In a letter that appears to be the first high‑profile business response to the looming fiscal impasse, the CEOs and CFOs demand that both parties agree on a “pro‑American” business policy that would prevent a shutdown and preserve the gains businesses have earned under recent bipartisan legislation.

The Context: A Budgetary Deadlock and the Threat of a Shutdown

For the past few months, the Senate has been locked in a bitter dispute over the 2025 federal budget. The Republican leadership, led by Thune, has insisted on strict spending cuts that they argue are necessary to reduce the debt, while the Democrats, led by Schumer, want to protect infrastructure, health‑care, and research programs. The result has been a continuing resolution that keeps the government in limbo, with the fiscal year set to expire on September 30, 2024.

If the Senate fails to enact a new budget resolution, Congress must rely on a temporary funding measure to keep federal agencies running—otherwise a government shutdown would be triggered. The business community has repeatedly warned that even a short‑term shutdown could have devastating effects: supply‑chain disruptions, delayed payments to contractors, and a loss of confidence in the United States as a place to do business.

The Letter: “A Wake‑Up Call for American Business”

The letter, released through a press conference on Fox Business, was signed by a roster of executives that includes CEOs from Amazon, Walmart, Microsoft, and Boeing, as well as CFOs from General Motors, JPMorgan Chase, and Bank of America. While the identities of each signatory were withheld to avoid potential political backlash, the tone of the message was unambiguous.

“We have spent the last decade investing in America’s workforce, building infrastructure, and expanding our global reach,” the letter reads. “Now, we must ensure that the political climate remains stable and pro‑business. A federal shutdown would undo years of progress, slow growth, and undermine the United States’ competitive edge.”

The letter goes on to outline a set of concrete demands:

1. Preservation of the Corporate Tax Rate
   The business leaders request that the Senate adopt a compromise that maintains the 21 % corporate tax rate set by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, arguing that a return to higher rates would discourage investment and hurt jobs.

2. Regulatory Certainty
   The CEOs argue that the current uncertainty around the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) clean‑energy regulations, and the Department of Labor’s potential reforms to overtime and minimum‑wage rules, must be resolved. They call for bipartisan legislation that provides clear, long‑term guidelines for these areas.

3. Infrastructure Investment
   The letter echoes the language of the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, insisting that the Senate adopt a new bill that mirrors the $1.2 trillion infrastructure package to modernize roads, bridges, and broadband—an investment they say is essential for global competitiveness.

4. Trade and Supply‑Chain Resilience
   Business leaders point to recent tensions in U.S. trade relationships, especially with China and the European Union. They urge the Senate to support the Trade Promotion Authority and to protect U.S. supply chains through targeted tariffs and strategic partnerships.

5. Avoiding a Shutdown
   The letter’s headline—“Wake‑Up Call for American Business”—serves as a stark warning that a shutdown would create a “wake” of economic pain that would ripple through every sector of the economy. The signatories pledge to continue lobbying their political allies, but they emphasize that bipartisan action is essential for long‑term stability.

Political Reactions

Senator Thune’s office released a statement that acknowledged the concerns of the business community but insisted that the Senate’s budget agenda must be “consistent with the long‑term fiscal sustainability of the country.” Thune said that “we have already taken bold steps to cut spending” and that “the current proposals are the best path forward.”

In contrast, Senator Schumer’s press secretary described the letter as “a reminder of the broader stakes involved in fiscal policy.” Schumer has been vocal about his support for a bipartisan “American Jobs Plan” that would allocate significant resources to infrastructure, clean energy, and research & development. Schumer’s spokesperson said the Senate would “continue to work toward a budget resolution that protects jobs and ensures fiscal responsibility.”

The business coalition’s appeal has also drawn the attention of the “CFOs for Fiscal Responsibility,” a group that has previously testified before Congress on the need for tax reform and debt reduction. In an op‑ed published the same day, CFO Sarah Allen of Bank of America wrote, “If we are to sustain the gains of the last decade, the Senate must rise to the challenge. We cannot let politics dictate the economic health of the country.”

Broader Implications

Beyond the immediate threat of a shutdown, the letter reflects a growing sense of frustration among corporate leaders who feel that the political gridlock is eroding America’s economic advantage. The business community is not alone in this sentiment. The National Association of Manufacturers, for instance, released a joint statement the week before the letter that warned of “long‑term damage to manufacturing competitiveness” if Congress fails to adopt a balanced budget.

The appeal also taps into the larger cultural divide over the role of government. By framing their request as a “pro‑American” policy, the executives position themselves as patriotic defenders of the national interest—a stance that has proven politically effective in past budget negotiations.

A Call to Action

The business leaders’ letter is a clarion call that underscores the intersection of fiscal policy and commercial confidence. While the Senate’s debate continues, the message is clear: an unstable budget and the possibility of a shutdown will not only hamper businesses but could also erode the United States’ position as a global economic leader.

Whether Thune and Schumer will heed the call remains to be seen. For now, the business coalition has laid out its demands in a concise, bipartisan‑friendly format. The next few weeks will determine whether the Senate can bring the two sides together or whether the looming shutdown will become a reality—forcing the United States to confront the consequences of its political stalemate.