John Schultz, Allen Weisberg, Congressman David Schweikert & Rich Babich

In a continued effort to increase the value of the association’s Government Relations program,  AAMA Execs headed to Washington D.C. for another visit to our nation’s capital.  With a full schedule of meetings on Tuesday, December 13th, John Schultz (AAMA), Rich Babich (Game Exchange of Colorado) and Allen Weisberg (Apple Industries) had the opportunity to meet with several legislative staffers and were very excited to have lunch with Congressman David Schweikert of Arizona.  Schweikert serves on the financial services committee and was previously the focus of a recent New York Times article, Dollar Coin Could Save Billions, which posted on the AAMA website.

Below is a list of offices represented and a bit about each:

Congressman David Schweikert (had lunch with Congressman Schweikert and met with Matthew Tully, Legislative Director)

David is serving his first term in the United States House of Representatives representing Arizona’s 5th district. He serves on the Financial Services Committee.  David was appointed to serve on two subcommittees on Financial Services: the Subcommittee on Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises and the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology.   David will be working to address the important issue of how to deal with the future of the government sponsored enterprises (GSEs), Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which were taken into government conservatorship in 2008. Fannie and Freddie play a significant role in our domestic housing finance system and reforming both will be a major priority for the Financial Services Committee.

As a member of the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology, David will be examining our domestic monetary policy, including the Federal Reserve. His other top priorities on the Financial Services Committee are finding pro-market solutions to the foreclosure problem and identifying policies that will help encourage job growth and economic expansion.

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (met with Marliss McManus, Legislative Director).

Bill Huizenga represents the 2nd District of Michigan. He was elected to his first term in Congress on November 3, 2010.  Huizenga is a proven leader in the drive for efficient government, common sense reform in regulation and lowering taxes. In Congress, he is focused on removing government barriers to private-sector job creation and economic growth, cutting government spending, ensuring transparency, and rebuilding the bonds of trust between the American people and their representatives in Washington.  Selected to serve on the exclusive House Financial Services Committee, Huizenga is the highest-ranking freshman member. Huizenga was named to three subcommittees, where he will focus on: Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit; International Monetary Policy and Trade; and Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology.

Congressman Patrick McHenry (met with Jennifer Mundy Flitton, Legislative Director)

McHenry serves as a Deputy Republican Whip, helping to manage the legislative priorities of Congressional Republicans on the House floor. Congressman McHenry is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, which deals with federal legislation related to the securities market, banking, insurance and real estate. He is also a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, where he serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on TARP, Financial Services and Bailouts of Public and Private Programs. Recognized as a leader of the conservative movement in America, Patrick McHenry is the Chairman of the House Conservatives Fund.

Representative Diana DeGette (met with Tommy Walker, Legislative Aid)

Chief Deputy Whip is serving her 8th term in Congress as Representative for the First District of Colorado. As a member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, an exclusive congressional committee with vast jurisdiction over health care, trade, business, technology, food safety, and consumer protection, she is one of the leading voices in the health care debate in this country. She also serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, which conducts the oversight of, and investigations into, issues falling under the jurisdiction of the full committee. As a member of the Democratic leadership, she played a vital role in the reauthorization of the Children’s Health Insurance Program, has fought for tough food safety legislation, and was a key player in crafting a comprehensive consumer product safety bill.

Congressman Walter Jones

Congressman Jones is a strong voice in fighting for an effective, common sense government that returns power and control back to the people. His dedication and commitment to providing tax relief for American families, retirement security for our nation’s seniors, a strong national defense and a quality education for every child has earned him respect among his colleagues on both sides of the political aisle. Congressman Jones has been a leader in fighting the U.S. trade deficit and leveling the trade playing field for American workers.  Currently serving his 9th term in Congress, Congressman Jones is a member of the House Committees on Armed Services and Financial Services. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, he has concentrated on safeguarding the well being of our nation’s veterans and our men and women on active duty. As a member of the Financial Services Committee, Jones has earned a reputation for fighting for small businesses, and for helping individuals gain greater access to capital and a broader array of financial services.

Congressman Jared Polis

Jared is an independent leader who uses his private and public sector experience to find pragmatic solutions to the challenges facing Colorado and the nation. First elected to represent Colorado’s Second Congressional District in 2008, Polis serves on the powerful Committee on Rules and the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.  Polis believes that education is the single most meaningful investment America can make in its economic future and in its people. His efforts in this area focus on getting accountability right at all levels, expanding educational models that work, and improving persistently failing schools with data-driven models to reduce achievement gaps.

Congressman Frank Lucas (met with Larry Calhoun, Legislative Assistant)

Congressman Lucas serves as the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture. In addition, he serves on the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.  He also serves as a member of the Republican Whip Team. The representatives who are members of the team serve as leaders in their party and work with the Republican leadership team to ensure every American’s voice is heard in Congress.

Congressman Ed Perlmutter (met with Noah Marine, Legislative Assistant)

In 2006, Ed was first elected to represent the 7th Congressional District in Congress and is currently serving in his third term. In the 112th Congress, Ed is proud to be assigned to the exclusive Financial Services Committee including the following subcommittees: 1) Capital Markets and Government Sponsored Enterprises (GSE); and 2) International Monetary Policy and Trade. Perlmutter is also co-chair of the New Democrat Coalition Energy Task Force.

 

The AAMA will continue to pursue new opportunities within Washington, D.C. and will be coordinating our next visit.  If you are an AAMA member and are interested in participating in one of our upcoming visits to Capital Hill, please contact John Schultz at jschultz@coin-op.org or 847.290.9088.  We look forward to your questions and/or comments regarding the Government Relations program or any other association programs and events.  Make www.coin-op.org your stop for industry news!  “Like” us at www.facebook.com/LikeAAMA and keep up with everything AAMA.