New business trade group to provide 'public advocacy'

A new coalition called Business Forward is expected to announce itself today, reports The New York Times.

The group's wide-ranging roster includes AT&T, Facebook, Hilton, IBM, Microsoft, Pfizer, and Time Warner and was founded by Democratic strategists.

It's purpose, says the Times, is to "engage in public advocacy but will not lobby administration officials or members of Congress." The goal for Business Forward is to provide consistent support for President Barack Obama and the Democratic Congress.

Earlier this year, the trade group gained media attention when Valerie Jarrett, a senior adviser to Obama; Michael Strautman, Jarrett’s chief of staff; and Tina Tchen, the public liaison director for the White House, attended a Business Forward function.