TIA Policy Forum: A Rookie’s Experience
To an outsider, an experience like TIA’s Policy Forum can seem daunting. The halls of Washington are a place for big movers and shakers, the levers of power are tough to pull, and trying to manage in the face of the seeming eternal massiveness of the US Government – much less trying to get what you want to move through Congress – can seem impossible. Going into it alone can feel scary, or at the very least a bit of a pointless exercise.
This was my first time on Capitol Hill, or at least inside the office buildings the members of Congress call their second homes. A year ago, the idea of talking with a state rep or Senator seemed as far-fetched as walking on the moon. Yet there I was, with more than 100 members of the association, gathered and prepped by a great team of Government Affairs folks to speak to the key issues that confront the 3PL world every single day. This strength in numbers made it much easier.
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one feeling a bit nervous walking through Rayburn or Longworth or Cannon House Office Buildings, or across the street in the various Senate buildings. For every Kenny Lund (president of Allen Lund Company in California) who has been coming to this event for 20 years and has friends he’s made working in these offices, there’s dozens who were as green as me, who just felt it was time to make an effort for their company, for the association, and for the industry. Having these old vets around makes the process a bit smoother, makes you stand a bit straighter, your skin a bit tougher
And it turns out, advocating for what you want and believe in isn’t so daunting after all. The magic of democracy is, at the end of the day it’s all just people. People who are there to hear your problems – especially if you’re a constituent – and make change happen if you can make the right case. Whether a legislative director like Johanna Montiel for Congressman Salud Carbajal of California’s 24th district, Deputy Counsels like Chad Revis for Florida’s Senator Ashley Moody, or fully minted Congressmen like Vince Fong (CA-20) or Bob Onder (MO-3), they’re just red-blooded Americans like you or me, doing their job each day and helping the country be its best.
And you know what? They care. They know about the issues that the broker world faces. In the meeting with Rep Carbajal’s Legislative Director, one TIA member barely got “HR. 880” out of their mouth before they told us that the congressman had already decided to co-sponsor the bill. In other offices, when they didn’t know about the impact and role of the broker (a common issue in the early parts of these conversations) they were willing to listen. They ask great questions, they probe to make sure you know what you’re talking about. And when they hear about the massive spike in fraud rates – 1500% increase in less than 2 years – you see their eyes open and the understanding that this impacts not just brokers or carriers or shippers, but everyone in their district as it threatens higher prices.
This direct action, this walking around and making your case heard in front of the people that can make the changes that need done, it’s exhausting. It’s important to wear good shoes, and eat a good breakfast. But whether it’s a senator speaking at that breakfast before heading to the hill, meetings where a potential co-sponsor has that “Ah-ha!” moment, or just the opportunity to firm up support, there’s few more enriching activities – both for yourself and for the 3PL industry – than joining with colleagues and heading to the Hill. Next year will be here before we know it, issues old and new will need their case stated to familiar faces as much as newly arrived reps. I for one am already looking forward to it.
