April 17, 2012
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS:

The undersigned trade associations representing thousands of businesses across the nation
strongly urge you to cosponsor and support S. 1647 and H.R. 3091 introduced by Sen. Crapo and
Rep. Roskam, which would maintain the top capital gains and dividends tax rates at 15 percent
and prevent a massive tax increase that would have detrimental impacts on investment and jobs
in the United States.

Unless Congress acts by the end of 2012, the tax rate for capital gains will increase from 15
percent to 20 percent and the dividend tax rate will more than double from 15 percent to 39.6
percent. In addition, beginning in 2013 investment income will be subject to an additional
Medicare Hospital Insurance (HI) tax of 3.8 percent, raising the top rate on capital gains to 23.8
percent and on dividend income to 43.4 percent, resulting in one of the largest tax increases in
U.S. history.

A tax increase of this size will have significant impact, which includes discouraging capital
investment needed for economic growth and job creation, incentivizing companies to use
excessive debt financing and potentially reducing the value of dividend-paying stocks. Any of
these outcomes would hurt Americans at all income levels, and especially retirees, many of
whom rely on investment income as a supplement to their retirement.

This looming tax increase presents businesses and individuals with uncertainty and great
complexity in the short-term. Looking ahead, comprehensive fundamental tax reform could
result in giving taxpayers more certainty, simplicity, and fairness, while encouraging economic
growth and job creation. In the interim, Congress must act to maintain the current tax rates on
capital gains and dividend income and give businesses and individual investors the certainty that
they need to support economic growth and job creation.

It is imperative Congress enact legislation that would maintain the top capital gains and dividend
tax rates at 15 percent and remove the uncertainty surrounding this impending tax increase. We
strongly support these bills and urge you to cosponsor and support S. 1647 and H.R. 3091.

Sincerely,
American Composites Manufacturers Association
American Farm Bureau Federation
American Forest & Paper Association
American Institute for International Steel
American Lighting Association
American Water
Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry
Associated Industries of Missouri
Associated Oregon Industries
Associated Wire Rope Fabricators
Association of Washington Business
Automotive Aftermarket Association Southeast
Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber of Commerce
Batavia Chamber of Commerce
Bristol Chamber of Commerce
Business Council of Alabama
Business Roundtable
California Manufacturers & Technology Association
Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber
Colorado Association of Commerce & Industry
Commerce Lexington Inc.
Council of Industry of Southeastern New York
Downers Grove Area Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Edison Electric Institute
European-American Business Council
Fabricators and Manufacturers Association, International
Fentress County Chamber of Commerce
Forum Financial Group, Inc.
Georgia Chamber of Commerce
Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce
Greater Beaumont Chamber of Commerce
Greater Fort Wayne Chamber of Commerce
Greater Irving Las-Colinas Chamber of Commerce
Greater North Dakota Chamber of Commerce
Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce
Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce
Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce
Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce
Indiana Chamber of Commerce
Indiantown Marina
Inland Pacific Chapter Associated Builders & Contractors
Investment Company Institute
Iowa Association of Business and Industry
Johnson City Chamber
Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce & Industry
Kankakee Regional Chamber
Karn Sitkins Payette Insurance Agency Inc.
Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
Kingsport Chamber of Commerce
Kinsail Corporation
Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce
Loudoun County Chamber of Commerce
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
Marietta Area Chamber of Commerce
Melbourne Regional Chamber of East Central Florida
Metal Powder Industries Federation
Metals Service Center Institute
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Midland Area Chamber of Commerce
Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce
Monarch Technical Services, Inc.
Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association
National Association of Manufacturers
National Association of Water Companies
National Electrical Contractors Association
Non-Ferrous Founders' Society
North Carolina Chamber
Northumberland County Chamber of Commerce
Nuclear Energy Institute
Ohio Chamber of Commerce
Outdoor Amusement Business Association, Inc.
Palm Desert Area Chamber of Commerce
Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
Perryton-Ochiltree Chamber of Commerce
Plano Chamber of Commerce
Prime Office Solutions
Prince William Chamber of Commerce
Resilient Floor Covering Institute
Rolling Meadows Chamber of Commerce
Rowan County Chamber of Commerce
Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce
Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association
South Padre Island Chamber of Commerce
Southeastern Lumber Manufacturers Association
Texas Association of Business
The Ohio Manufacturers' Association
Tucson Metro Chamber
U.S. Chamber of Commerce
U.S. Telecom Association
Utah Manufacturers Association
Valley Industrial Association
Woodworking Machinery Industry Association