August is PIA National’s third annual Political Involvement and Advocacy Month (PIA Month). This is your chance to help shape the politics that will have dramatic consequences on the future of your business. Best of all, PIA Month activities are easy and what you do is up to you. Learn about a few quick and easy things you can do.
The focal point of PIA Month is District Lobbying Day, which will be held on August 6 this year. This is your opportunity to meet with your elected representatives while they are back in their home district during the August congressional recess.
Learn more about District Lobbying Day.
If your schedule doesn’t allow for a meeting on August 6, that’s no problem -- you can meet later in the month or send an online message through PIA’s Grassroots Action Center.
PIA’s in-district Congressional visits have already begun…among the first was one on Monday morning August 4 by PIA of Georgia President Jerry Dickerson. Thanks, Jerry!
IT’S IMPORTANT -- ACT NOW!
This year more than most, the issues that are being debated on Capitol Hill WILL greatly impact independent insurance agents.
Meeting with your Members of Congress this August is critical because when Congress reconvenes in September, Members may be voting on H.R. 5840, a bill that would enable federal regulation of insurance. H.R. 5840 would grant new powers to the U.S. Treasury Secretary, making the Secretary the principal federal authority for domestic and international insurance issues of “national interest” with the power to determine which state laws, regulations and industry practices will be preempted.
Through PIA National’s District Lobbying Day web page, you can get a quick primer on these issues and step-by-step instructions to make meeting with your Member(s) of Congress easy. You know your elected officials are hearing from the opposition and the big money interests, so it’s up to each of us to make sure they hear from their local, Main Street agents too. That’s you!
Have a question? Contact Mike Becker, PIA National’s Director of Federal Affairs, at mikebe@pianet.org or (703) 518-1365.
August 5, 2008