Uniting the Industry’s Voice

Capitol Connections Showcases the Visibility of the Industry within the Policy Debate

Capitol Connections, May 16–17 in Washington, D.C., saw 135 ELFA members visit more than 160 House and Senate offices. Participants reported a high awareness of the equipment finance industry when visiting congressional offices, showing that our voice is heard and recognized. A group of ELFA attendees also met with Treasury Assistant Secretary for Tax Policy, David Kautter, and his staff to discuss ELFA’s pending request for guidance regarding the expansion of bonus depreciation to include used equipment.

Molly Ball of TIME spoke at the opening luncheon about the current political landscape.

In addition to advocating for the equipment finance industry with policymakers, attendees heard from a few keynote speakers. During the opening luncheon, Molly Ball of TIME gave attendees an update on the current political landscape in Washington. Following Ball’s remarks, Kara Miyasato of Stryker Flex Financial and Jeff Elliott of Huntington Equipment Finance participated in a role-playing exercise to give attendees some perspective into different scenarios they might encounter as they visit congressional offices. Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) addressed the LeasePAC reception. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY), co-chairs of the Congressional Problem Solvers Caucus, spoke during the group breakfast. And a special thanks goes out to Thompson Coburn, who sponsored this year’s Capitol Connections program by providing cellphone cardholders.

Congressman Tom Reed (R-NY) and
Congressman Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) addressed
ELFA members during the group breakfast.

Congresswoman Judy Chu (D-CA) met with ELFA members Scott Thacker, David Coons and Don Hansen.

 

Todd Clegg, Jason Seitz, and Jeff Budizen met with Congresswoman Gwen Moore (D-WI), second from left.

 

ELFA members Mark Duncan, Mike Elmasry and Noiel Fontaine met with Congressman Jim Himes (D-CT), second from left.

 

Congressman Peter Roskam (R-IL) second from right, spent time with ELFA members Shari Lipski, Nathan Petrie and Vincent Kolber.

 

Congresswoman Jackie Walorski (R-IN) met with ELFA members Nathan Cox, Thomas Dwyer and Richard Lewis.

 

ELFA members Conrad Eimers, James Cress, Marjorie Krumholz and Brett Davis pictured on the Speaker’s Balcony in the U.S. Capitol during Capitol Connections.

 

Sen. Ben Cardin (D-MD) stopped by the LeasePAC reception to visit with ELFA members from Maryland, including Nancy Pistorio and Edward Gross.

 

Sen. Tom Carper (D-DE) met with ELFA members Emily Latham-Bolt, Melanie Reker, Shannon Stangl and George Monastra during the LeasePAC reception.

 

Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD), second from right, sat down with ELFA members Michael Campbell, Brian Eschmann, David Normandin, Kristin Smith and Ernest Tsorvas.

 

Next Steps

ELFA members are encouraged to maintain a dialogue with your legislators to build on the successful contacts made during Capitol Connections. In just a few weeks, members of Congress will return to their districts for the August recess, which is a perfect time to schedule an in-district meeting. Meeting during this time is a mutually beneficial opportunity to establish local connections beyond a meeting in Washington. Ideally, ELFA members will be used as a resource by these members of Congress so that our voices are heard on a continuing basis. Please visit www.elfaonline.org/advocacy for issue briefs and additional information on ELFA’s advocacy and grassroots programming.