In a letter to UMA Members and friends of the industry, Larry Killingsworth launched an effort to reach out to the Problem Solvers Caucus asking them to maintain the full $8 billion in funding proposed for private motorcoach companies. He also urged participants to express gratitude for the work of the caucus to come to an agreement that also includes full funding for private motorcoach, school bus and passenger vessel companies.
The Problem Solvers Caucus proposed funding for Covid economic relief that earmarks $8 billion for the private motorcoach industry.
In fewer than 24 hours the campaign has yielded close to 4,000 emails sent by more than 1,300 advocates. The effort is targeted to people in the 28 states with Problem Solvers Caucus members. The Caucus is comprised of more than 50 U.S. Representatives and Senators from both parties.
“We are grateful for the efforts of these caucus members,” Killingsworth said, “to get this much-needed legislation across the finish line. Help us underscore why our industry merits this economic relief and ask for passage of this important bill.”
States Involved
Operators and industry allies in the following list of states are asked to help with the campaign to reach Problem Solvers Caucus members.
Alaska
Arizona
California
Florida
Illinois
Kansas
Louisiana
Maine
Michigan
Minnesota
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersey
New Mexico
New York
Ohio
Oklahoma
Oregon
Pennsylvania
South Carolina
South Dakota
Texas
Utah
Virginia
Washington
West Virginia
Wisconsin
The Problem Solvers Caucus
Beginning in 2017, the Problem Solvers Caucus became an independent member-driven group in Congress, comprised of representatives from across the country – equally divided between Democrats and Republicans – committed to finding common ground on many of the key issues facing the nation. Co-Chaired by Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), the Caucus “aims to create a durable bloc that champions ideas that appeal to a broad spectrum of the American people,” according to the group’s website.
The CERTS Act
The Senate bill (S.4150) was introduced by Senators Jack Reed (D-RI) and Susan Collins (R-ME) on July 7. The House Measure, (H.R.7642) was sponsored by Rep. Ray LaHood (R-IL), joined by Reps. Albio Sires (D-NJ), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA.) and Don Young (R-AK).
The letter
Following is the full text of the letter to members:
Dear UMA Members and Friends,
You are invited to help us with a targeted advocacy campaign that seeks to protect $8 billion in economic relief for our industry.
Please use our automated link to reach members of the Problem Solvers Caucus. This is the bipartisan, bicameral group working to pass a $908 billion economic relief package that, to-date, is slated to include $8 billion for the private motorcoach industry.
Caucus members come from 28 states, so we are limiting this campaign to residents of those states. Anyone from those states can use our link to send an email to all members of the caucus who are from their state. See the list of states.
We are grateful for the efforts of these caucus members to get this much-needed legislation across the finish line. Help us underscore why our industry merits this economic relief and ask for passage of this important bill.
