As a result of the 2020 election, the House and the Senate will both organize their committees for the 117th Congress. The House Ways & Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade, will add three new Republicans: Reps. Kevin Hern (OK), Lloyd Smucker (PA) and Carol Miller (WV); but no new Democrats have been added at this time. The House Energy and Commerce Committee added eight new Republicans: Reps. Kelly Armstrong (ND), Dan Crenshaw (TX), John Curtis (UT), Neal Dunn (FL), John Joyce (PA), Debbie Lesko (AZ), Gary Palmer (AL), and Greg Pence (IN). New Democrats on the committee will include Reps. Angie Craig (MN), Lizzie Fletcher (TX), Kathleen Rice (NY), Kim Schrier (WA) and Lori Trahan (MA). The U.S. Senate continued work this week on confirmations of President Biden’s nominees for cabinet positions and Senate leadership continued to negotiate a power-sharing agreement for the 50-50 body. Committee assignments are expected to be announced once an agreement is completed between Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (NY) and Republican Leader McConnell (KY).
Buy American
This week, President Joe Biden signed an executive order which he said was aimed at strengthening requirements about buying American products through the federal procurement process. Biden added that as part of this executive order, the federal government will move to replace its fleet of vehicles with American-made electric cars over time.
ICYMI: AIADA Chairman Jason Courter urges dealers to “Get with the Program.”
AIADA Sr. Advocacy & Grassroots Manager Ashley Burch answers all your questions about the Dealer Visit Program on the latest edition of Beltway Talk.
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Quotes of the Week
“We need trade policy, not tariff policy.”
-Representative Suzan DelBene (D-WA), chair of the centrist New Democrat Coalition (Politico)
“We should not use national security as just an excuse to have a tariff.”
-Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO) (Fox Business)
Must Read
Check out this Q&A with incoming AIADA Chairman, Steve Gates, by Auto Remarketing (subscription required).
Friday Feel Good
Here are just a few recent examples of how the international nameplate auto industry is doing good in communities across the US during the pandemic:
Penz Automotive Group in Minnesota donated $7,400 through its winter sponsorship to Together for Good, a Minnesota based nonprofit that works to strengthen families and keep children out of foster care.
Gee Automotive, which operates dealerships in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington donated 87,500 meals on employees’ behalves to local Food Banks in each of its markets.
We want to hear more about how you are supporting your local community during this difficult time – tweet us at @AIADA_News and use the hashtag #DealersDoGood.
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AutoTalk COVID-19 Webinar Series
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One Pager: Plan and Respond to Coronavirus
One Pager: Dealership COVI-19 Daily Sanitation Checklist
Federated Insurance: COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
CDC: Coronavirus Guidance for Small Businesses and Employers
