Hardwood Floors December 2019/January 2020

GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS INDUSTRY INSIGHTS TELLING OUR TRADE STORY Fly-In 2019 The Hardwood Federation Fly-In toWashington D.C. is often billed as one of the most important advocacy events the industry holds in our nation’s capital. This year, more than any other year, that is a true characterization of a whirlwind 36 hours spent on Capitol Hill meeting with members of Congress and their staff. The trade war with China continues without relief and the impacts on the hardwood industry have been fast, furious, and relentless. Participation in this year’s fly-in was driven by concerns surrounding the ongoing U.S. trade dispute with China and the resulting tariffs on both Chinese imports and U.S. exports, most importantly to us, the tariffs on U.S. hardwood exports to China. While not at the record- breaking levels of 2018, we were close with nearly 70 participants in all. The fly-in brought hardwood industry leaders from across the country toWashington to tell their stories and relay the industry’s message directly to the members of Congress that draft and vote on legislation impacting their bottom line. Our participants were a great mix of knowledgeable fly-in veterans and invigorated new faces spurred on to action by the economic impacts of the trade dispute. Together we stormed the Hill in small groups and visited as many congressional offices as possible to make real what for many is just a government statistic or campaign talking point. As in years past, the Hardwood Federation PAC sponsored social events for republicans and democrats during the fly-in. These events also provide us with an outstanding opportunity to reconnect with friends on the Hill and establish new relationships. We heard from two members of Congress who completely

L to R: Rick Holden, Krystle Edwards, U.S. Rep. David Rouzer, Anita Howard

L to R: Katherine Dupra, U.S. Rep. Antonio Delgado, Craig Dupra

L to R: Rick Degan, Tommy Maxwell, U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, Jamey French

All photos courtesy of the Hardwood Federation

tuned into our issues and are joined with us in efforts to provide relief

to the industry while the trade dispute continues. Congresswoman Ann Kuster (D-NH) spearheaded a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue encouraging him to include hardwoods in agricultural relief efforts. She gave a terrific pep talk the night before our Hill meetings, focusing our energy for the long day ahead. Congresswoman Jackie Walorski

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