Dear Industry Colleagues,
One of our most recent advocacy goals has been to work hard to influence federal legislation on a number of different issues. This was a hot topic of discussion when your association’s volunteer leaders convened at our annual Winter Meeting this past February. ASA currently has and continues to develop a number of tools to enable its membership to achieve this goal.
Today, if you want to see who your members of Congress are and, more importantly, how they have voted on legislation important to our businesses, you can do so through ASA. If you want to review the ASA Political Action Committee’s activities or grant it permission to solicit you (as required by law), you can do that as well by contacting Dan, our “man in Washington.”
As a member-driven organization, consistent input from our members is crucial. Without it, our efforts fall short. At this past February’s meeting, issues were raised such as what our concerns were pertaining to our nation’s economy, business environment and political leadership. This is at the forefront of our effort in Washington, and will remain a main focus moving forward.
In addition, at the request of our members, we have made it easier to directly contact elected officials. Whether it is to urge President Obama to allow the Keystone XL Pipeline in its entirety or to ask our members of Congress to rein in the National Labor Relations Board, members of ASA have assumed their roles as relevant stakeholders and have contacted their elected officials.
Since our association made the commitment in late 2010 to have a full-time voice in Washington, our presence and influence have grown exponentially. If you would like to see for yourself, please go to the official websites of Senator Richard Lugar (R-Ind.) or Congressman Ted Poe (R-Texas) and look at their efforts to advance the Keystone Pipeline. Both have highlighted ASA’s support of their work in detail.
That’s not all. In addition, Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) staff have reached out to our Washington office to solicit our input on legislation impacting manufacturers and small businesses. We are making a difference!
Finally, as with many trade associations, a large number of ASA’s members journeyed to Washington, D.C. this month for the annual Legislative Fly-In to meet face-to-face with those who are making these daily decisions.
When we complain of Washington’s failure, we must ask ourselves, “When was the last time we contacted our elected officials?” Have you ever sent an email or a letter on your company’s letterhead to your member of Congress? Have you invited them to tour your headquarters or meet with your leadership team?
Today, through ASA, all of these can be done. I would, in fact, argue that they should be done. Please don’t hesitate to contact Dan at 703/328-5234 for more details. Tell him I sent you!
Scott Weaver
APR Supply Co.
For the latest from Dan Hilton on Capitol Hill, check out ASA News on supplyht.com.
