By SEMA Washington, D.C., Staff
The 2016 Washington Rally kicked off Wednesday in our nation’s capital. Following a welcome breakfast and legislative briefing, SEMA members took to the halls of Congress to remind lawmakers of the cultural and economic importance of our industry. At the top of the agenda: a call to lawmakers to support the RPM Act—a bipartisan bill that clarifies that it is legal to modify a street vehicle into a race car used exclusively on the track. The RPM Act currently has 73 co-sponsors in the House and 10 in the Senate, but more are needed to push the bill toward passage.
Members also talked to their lawmakers about other issues facing the specialty-equipment industry, including countering burdensome regulations, preventing higher ethanol content in gasoline and fighting counterfeit products. The Rally raises SEMA’s profile on Capitol Hill and plays a pivotal role in the association’s advocacy efforts.
Couldn’t make it to the Rally this year? You can still let Congress hear your voice. Urge your lawmakers to support the bipartisan RPM Act today!
Check out some photos from this week’s events:
 The Capitol Hill luncheon included speakers Rep. Paul Cook, Rep. Mike Kelly, Rep. Patrick McHenry, Rep. Bill Posey, hosted by former Rep. Bob Walker. |
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 From left: Stuart Gosswein, Rose Kawasaki, Rep. Julia Brownley, Dan Kahn, Jacquie Parral and Tracie Nuñez. |  Rick Love (left) with Chris Kersting and Rep. Lamar Smith. |
 Russ Deane (right) with Rep. Gwen Graham (middle) and Rob Fisher (left). |  From left: Ross Arnett (on the staff of Rep. Raul Ruiz) with Tracie Nuñez, JR Moore, and Eric Snyder. |
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