ABC 2009 LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE DRAWS HUNDREDS TO WASHINGTON, D.C. (07/01/2009)
More than 450 ABC members traveled to Washington, D.C., June 23-25 to attend the 2009 Legislative Conference. Participants heard from current and former legislators and political experts on issues ranging from the economy; health care; the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, or cap-and-trade legislation; and the Employee Free Choice Act of 2009 (EFCA), or card check legislation.
During the opening general session, 2009 ABC National Chairman Jerry Gorski emphasized the importance of generating rapport with members of Congress. “They need to know that sustainable jobs need sustainable businesses,” he said. “You’ve done a great job keeping EFCA from seeing the light of day … Now it’s time to take our advocacy to the next level.”
Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) reminded attendees that when they visit their members of Congress on Capitol Hill, they need to express themselves on the card check bill. “I can’t think of anything that would turn the United States into a unionized country faster than taking away the secret ballot,” he said.
House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) recalled his long relationship with ABC and thanked attendees for helping elect pro-business candidates to Congress. But, Boehner added that running up the deficit doesn’t equal economic success. “The American people know you can’t borrow and spend your way to prosperity.”
Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.), ranking member of the House Education and Labor Committee and recipient of ABC’s 2009 Free Enterprise Legislator of the Year award, spoke out in his opposition to the card check bill. McKeon said, “There is no room for compromise on this. We are on the side of workers who should have the right to vote in secret.”
Keynote speaker Brit Hume, senior political analyst for FOX News Channel, discussed the current political climate, noting concerns about cap-and-trade legislation, the long-term effects of the stimulus bill and the new administration’s approach to foreign policy. With the president’s high approval rating starting to fall, “we’re in a critical turning point” going into next year’s mid-term elections, Hume said.
Additionally, conference participants took advantage of networking opportunities at the Free Enterprise Alliance reception, where they were treated to a speech by former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich, and a reception for ABC’s Political Action Committee, which drew about 100 attendees and about 40 members of Congress.
