The Business Roundtable (BRT) is an influential nonprofit association of chief executive officers (CEOs) from over 200 leading U.S. companies, representing diverse sectors of the economy. Founded in 1972 through the merger of the March Group, the Construction Users Anti-Inflation Roundtable, and the Labor Law Study Committee, the BRT emerged as a response to growing public hostility toward corporations, increasing union power, and regulatory pressures in the 1960s and early 1970s. Unlike broader business groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which include entire companies as members, the BRT exclusively comprises individual CEOs, allowing for direct, high-level advocacy. Its members lead firms that collectively employ more than 16 million people and generate over $7 trillion in annual revenues, supporting approximately one in four American jobs and a significant portion of U.S. GDP. The organization operates through CEO-led policy committees on issues such as corporate governance, education and workforce, energy and environment, health and retirement, and immigration, fostering pragmatic solutions to national challenges.

The BRT's primary mission is to promote sound public policies that drive economic growth, innovation, and opportunity for all Americans. It engages in lobbying efforts to advance pro-business agendas, including lowering corporate taxes domestically and internationally, supporting free trade agreements like the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and enhancing the U.S. research and development ecosystem to maintain global competitiveness. Politically conservative in origin, the BRT has historically resisted union influence and excessive regulation while collaborating with policymakers from both parties. Over its 50-year history, it has issued influential statements, such as the 2019 revision of its Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, shifting emphasis from solely shareholder value to broader stakeholder interests including customers, employees, suppliers, and communities. Recent initiatives include reports like 'Powering America: Sustaining U.S. Leadership in Technology & Innovation,' urging investments in R&D and infrastructure.

As a key player in Washington, D.C., the BRT symbolizes corporate America's collective influence on policy, often criticized for prioritizing business interests over labor rights or environmental protections. Its advocacy has shaped debates on tax reform, trade, and economic competitiveness, positioning it as a powerful voice in U.S. politics and business lobbying.