Republicans are finding governing harder than expected. Despite controlling majorities in the House and Senate, GOP leadership struggled to finalize funding for the Department of Homeland Security while contending with a familiar obstacle just down Pennsylvania Avenue – President Obama.
Unfazed by strong bipartisan support, the president vetoed legislation to permit the Keystone XL pipeline’s construction. And the Senate failed to garner the 67 votes required to override the White House’s action. Consequently, project supporters have turned attention back to pushing the administration to make a final decision.
Meanwhile, pressure continues to build for two of AED’s top policy priorities: comprehensive tax reform and highway reauthorization. The Senate Finance Committee announced that its bipartisan tax working groups are soliciting public comments to commence the Senate debate. Additionally, the House passed legislation to permanently increase Sec. 179 expensing levels, demonstrating lawmakers’ desires to break from temporary tax provision extensions in favor of greater certainty. AED will continue to advocate for tax simplification and certainty and urge lawmakers to ensure the code incentivizes capital investment and job creation.
As MAP-21’s expiration rapidly approaches, lawmakers are focusing on the Highway Trust Fund’s pending insolvency and resolving the uncertainty surrounding the federal highway program.
AED’s Washington Office and equipment distributors around the country were key in gaining congressional signatories on a letter urging House leadership to make passing a long-term, fully-funded transportation bill an immediate priority. In total, 285 House members joined the effort.
AED also scored a major victory when U.S. and Canadian officials reached an agreement to finance an integral part of the new Detroit-Windsor bridge crossing. In addition to being a major construction project, the bridge has significant implications for the trade relationship between the U.S. and Canada and for manufacturing and distribution sector logistics across the continent.
Coordinating equipment distributor facility visits for lawmakers and candidates remain one of the association’s top focuses. On March 9, AED facilitated a visit by House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Penn.) to ROMCO Equipment Company’s Ft. Worth, Texas location. In an effort to practice what we preach, AED’s Washington office played host to Rep. Don Byer (D-Va.), a former auto dealer, who is poised to become a leader on distribution tier issues as his congressional profile builds.
AED will continue to advocate on your behalf on these and other issues in Washington. However, we need your help! Please plan to be with us on June 3-4 in our nation’s capital to add your voice to the legislative process! Look for registration information in your e-mail Inbox soon or call 630-574-0650.
