This week, after returning early to Washington from their August district work period, House Democrats struck a deal and advanced the budget reconciliation package recently passed by the Senate, and also agreed to vote on the infrastructure package by September 27th. The agreement to move forward came after intense negotiations between Democratic House leadership and a group of moderate Democrats who threatened to vote against moving the budget package forward unless the infrastructure legislation received a vote first. The $3.5 trillion budget resolution passed the Senate earlier this month along party lines. Further action and timing of the votes needed to finalize the two major legislative initiatives is still to be determined.
CALL TO ACTION: EVs
Proposed Senate legislation would add an additional $2,500 in tax credits for cars built in the U.S., and another $2,500 for cars built in the U.S. at facilities represented by unionized labor. Favoring union-built vehicles over other vehicles built in the U.S. has no value to the environment, and the motivation behind such an incentive can be nothing less than political favoritism. AIADA Chairman Steve Gates issued a call to action urging dealers to contact their Members of Congress and tell them to oppose this un-American proposal. If you haven’t already, take action today!
ICYMI
With harmful proposals percolating in Congress and an administration intent on unfairly favoring union jobs over all American jobs, it’s up to AIADA and its dealers to continue to make our impact known. AIADA’s Dealer Visit Program is an easy way to do just that.
Sign Up for a Dealer Visit Today!
Dealers Make An Impact is an effort to encourage dealers, dealership employees, and industry partners to engage with Congress to show how Dealers Make An Impact on their communities, and how, even without flying in to DC, dealers can make an impact on decisions in Washington right from their dealership floor.
Must Read
Last week, AIADA, its dealers, partners, and the entire U.S. auto industry, were devastated to learn of the passing of Fritz Hitchcock, Chairman of Hitchcock Automotive Resources and namesake of the AIADA Fritz Hitchcock Advocacy Achievement Award. Fritz will be remembered as a true champion of the international nameplate dealer community, and AIADA will continue to honor his legacy by selecting a deserving dealer each year to receive the Fritz Hitchcock Award. Read more about his life and accomplishments here.
Quote of the Week
"Fritz loved to give back. He always said that if you're not involved in what's going on around you, it's your fault. He really felt from a dealer standpoint, a human standpoint, you need to be informed and be involved."
-Howard Hakes, President, Hitchcock Automotive Resources (Automotive News)
Friday Feel Good
Here are just a few recent example of how the international nameplate auto industry is doing good in communities across the U.S.:
Hyundai of New Bern in North Carolina has continued to partner with RiverTowne Players, a nonprofit 501 C-3 local community theatre organization whose purpose is to enrich and entertain the residents in Eastern North Carolina by providing quality theatre and giving local actors, musicians, and artists an opportunity to showcase their talents.
Rogers Toyota of Hermiston in Oregon recently made a $2,000 donation to help area foster families. The money was presented July 23 to Marvin Hamilton, a recruitment and retention champion for District 9 and 12 of the Department of Human Services Child Welfare program. The donation, Hamilton said, will go to the foster parent and child welfare fund. It will be used for the retention of resource homes, event funding and other needs of foster families. In addition to donations, they have hosted past fundraisers.
Northpark Nissan-Hyundai and Genesis of Covington in Louisiana was a primary sponsor for the 1st Annual James Samaritan State of Our Children Breakfast. Additionally, the dealerships have pledged to partner with James Samaritan's mission to support children aging out of the foster system by providing reliable vehicles to these youths while they endeavor to start out on their own lives and careers.
We want to hear more about how you are supporting your local community – tweet us at @AIADA_News and use the hashtag #DealersDoGood.
