SEMA’s Car Guys in Congress

SEMA News—June 2015

SEMA’s Car Guys in Congress

Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus Continues Rise on Capitol Hill

	U.S. Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL) with his ’66 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu. Rep. Posey is the U.S. House co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus.

The American automobile celebrated its 100th birthday in 1996. To mark the milestone, the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus was formed to pay tribute to America’s ever-growing love affair with the car and motorsports. Nearly 20 years later, the caucus continues to raise the industry’s profile in the nation’s capital and in the public’s eyes.

Today, the caucus is helmed by Representatives Bill Posey (R-FL) and Sander Levin (D-MI) in the U.S. House and Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Jon Tester (D-MT) in the U.S. Senate. Thanks to their leadership, the group is growing faster than ever before. This year alone, nine new members signed up to show their support for the industry.

One of the new members of the Caucus is U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-WI). SEMA’s relationship with Grothman dates back to his days in the Wisconsin Senate. There, he was a member of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast Leadership Caucus and sponsored the Old Car Preservation Act, which is now law. Thanks to Grothman, enthusiasts in Wisconsin are able to make minor modifications to their collector vehicles. Additionally, former military vehicles, historic military vehicles and collector vehicles are now exempt from importer certification label requirements.

“Joining the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus was an easy decision,” Rep. Grothman said. “I’ve seen firsthand the positive impact the automotive aftermarket has on both the local and national economy. It’s knowledge I take with me to Washington, D.C.”

Caucus co-chair Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) (right) presented a copy of a U.S. Senate resolution declaring the second Friday in July as National Collector Car Appreciation Day to SEMA Board Chairman Nate Shelton (left).		Caucus co-chair Sen. Jon Tester (D-MT) arrived in style to the SEMA Washington Rally.

Caucus co-chair Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) addressed the SEMA Washington Rally.

The new faces joining Rep. Grothman in the caucus are Reps. Susan Brooks (R-IN), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Rick Crawford (R-AR), Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Robert Hurt (R-VA), Evan Jenkins (R-WV), Mike Kelly (R-PA) and David Rouzer (R-NC).

The American automotive specialty equipment and performance industry is an important economic engine. Consumer sales of motor vehicle performance, appearance, comfort, convenience and technology products total $33 billion annually, while providing jobs for more than one million Americans. Having a voice in Congress is critical to continuing that growth.

To learn more about the caucus or how to recruit your elected representative, contact SEMA PAC and Congressional Relations Manager Christian Robinson at christianr@sema.org.

SEMA PAC President’s Club Spotlight: Greg Adler

Greg Adler is the president and CEO of Transamerican Auto Parts, which is headquartered in Compton, California. He is a four-year member of the SEMA PAC President’s Club and currently serves on SEMA’s Board of Directors.

“Keeping the laws and regulations appropriate for the automotive aftermarket and enthusiasts is a tough job,” Adler said.

“The success we’ve had is due largely to SEMA’s efforts in Washington, D.C. Joining the Presidents Club is doing my part to ensure this continues into the future.”

For more information on SEMA PAC, please contact SEMA PAC and Congressional Relations Manager Christian Robinson at 202-783-6007 x20 or christianr@sema.org.