Washington, D.C. – September, 2023
HCC is proud to stand alongside the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) in their relentless pursuit of policies that bolster the equipment manufacturing industry and contribute to the nation’s economic growth. AEM staff, along with 55 CEOs and senior executives, descended upon Washington, D.C., for the 2023 AEM Washington Fly-in, a pivotal event aimed at urging lawmakers to take critical actions.
The event came at a crucial time as the September 30 deadline to reauthorize both the farm bill and fund the government approached. Participants used this opportunity to impress upon lawmakers the importance of passing a bipartisan farm bill, reauthorizing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and addressing the industry’s pressing labor shortage through immigration reform.
The fly-in commenced with a series of briefings focusing on the industry’s policy priorities. Discussions revolved around finding compelling ways to convey the impact of the 2.3 million individuals in the equipment manufacturing industry who play a vital role in building, powering, and sustaining the world.
U.S. Representatives Tracey Mann (R-Kan.) and Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.) were among the distinguished participants. They shared their insights on the farm bill and were honored with the 2023 AEM Champions of the Industry awards. This prestigious accolade, presented only for the third time, recognizes congressional members from both sides of the aisle for their unwavering support of the equipment manufacturing industry and their dedication to advancing bipartisan, pragmatic solutions to the nation’s most significant challenges.
The following day, participants dispersed across Capitol Hill, engaging in discussions with over 90 members of Congress and senior congressional staff. Notable meetings included interactions with Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), U.S. Representatives Scott Fitzgerald (R-Wis.), Sam Graves (R-Mos.), Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), Kathy Manning (D-N.C.), and Pete Stauber (R-Minn.), as well as U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.), Cindy Hyde Smith (R-Miss.), Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), and John Thune (R-S.D.).
According to POLITICO reports, participants urged lawmakers to craft a bipartisan farm bill that channels investment into rural communities, encourages the adoption of precision agriculture technologies, offers essential safety net programs for farmers and ranchers, and reinforces the national food supply chain. Moreover, they emphasized that the need for sustained infrastructure investment persisted even after the passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, calling for the continued championing of investments critical to the nation’s economy, prosperity, and quality of life, including the FAA’s reauthorization.
Kip Eideberg, AEM’s Senior Vice President of Government and Industry Relations, underscored the significance of the industry’s presence in the capital, saying, “Equipment manufacturers came to Washington, D.C., with one objective: To raise each and every one of our policy priorities to a fever pitch…and impress upon lawmakers that the decisions made in Congress have a very real impact on the people whose job it is to build, power, and feed our country.”
The AEM Advocacy Team remains committed to advocating for these and other policy priorities through ongoing discussions with lawmakers and senior congressional staff.
HCC stands firmly with AEM in their efforts to advance these vital initiatives, supporting the growth and prosperity of the equipment manufacturing industry and the nation as a whole.