TRALA Holds Capitol Hill Fly-In

• By: Shannon Davison
• On: 06/28/2023 13:51:32
• In: Legislative Bulletins

On Wednesday June 21, Members of TRALA's Board of Directors as well as Elite Sponsors participated alongside the Executive Committee for meetings with Members of Congress and staff. The focus of the meetings was to discuss two totally separate issues. Some groups met with congressional offices to discuss supporting full expensing as well as a return to EBITDA with respect to taxes and the other groups met to educate lawmakers on liability issues and the need for tort reform.

Following a lunch briefing on Wednesday, June 21, TRALA members descended on Capitol Hill to meet with more than 20 different congressional offices. TRALA members lobbied Members of Congress and staff on the anti-business nature of the current EBIT tax earnings requirements and the need to extend full expensing to the broader trucking industry. Participants made the case that given TRALA members' capital-intensive requirements as well as ongoing inflation and supply chain problems, relief was important to keep the economy moving.

The other groups met with Members of Congress and staff to explain the myriad of issues facing our industry with respect to liability and lawsuit abuse. Among the topics discussed included nuclear verdicts, third-party funding of lawsuits, and the trial lawyers use of the "optional equip" theory that is impacting the truck renting and leasing industry specifically.

Following an afternoon of policy meetings, TRALA's political action committee, TRALAPAC, hosted a fundraiser for Congressman Sam Graves (R-MO). Graves now serves as the Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. At this event, TRALA members had the opportunity to speak directly with a champion for our industry - someone who authored the Graves Amendment that ended vicarious liability and who has consistently been a staunch supporter of TRALA and its members.

TRALA Chairman Brian Hogan commented "The TRALA Fly-In was a great success this year. We met with not only staff but several Members of Congress about critical tax issues as well as the need for tort reform. Being able to speak to Chairman Sam Graves that evening was also very informative and it shows the value of TRALAPAC in the association's advocacy efforts."

TRALA's Executive Committee met the following morning to discuss strategic planning, financials, government relations, and other association business. TRALA would like to thank its Executive Committee, other participating Board Members, and Elite Sponsors for taking the time to come to Washington DC and lobby on its behalf.

If you have plans to travel to Washington, DC or would like to lobby an issue with TRALA staff sometime in the future, please contact Jake Jacoby at jjacoby@trala.org or Robby Wehagen at rwehagen@trala.org.