U.S. Representative Norma Torres (D-CA) knows a thing or two about cars and the importance of manufacturing. When given the opportunity, she’ll proudly mention that she enjoys driving a ’66 Ford Mustang that her husband Louis restored. With that in mind, it was only a matter of time before she made her way to the SEMA Garage in Diamond Bar, California.
It’s been quite a year for Line-X. Not only did the company open a new 60,000-sq.-ft. corporate headquarters in Huntsville, Alabama, but it was also named midsize manufacturer of the year by the Business Council of Alabama and placed top in its category in Entrepreneur magazine’s annual Franchise 500 rankings. With those kinds of accolades, it’s no surprise that the company’s congressional representatives are eager to see what all the fuss is about. After hosting U.S. Senator Luther Strange (R-AL) last August, it was U.S. Representative Mo Brooks’ (R-AL) turn for a visit.
Most political coverage centers on Washington D.C.; however, less visible decisions made in state capitols profoundly impact lives and businesses. Statehouses are especially critical for SEMA members, as many—perhaps most—specialty auto products are directly regulated at the state level.
The past six months have been action-packed for Mike Braun, who is competing in a closely contested May 8 primary to be Indiana’s Republican candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018. While the days on the campaign trail can be long and arduous, that is nothing new for Braun, who knows what it’s like to put in the time needed to start and grow a business.
Voting can often seem like a cynical affair. When roughly 130 million Americans cast a ballot for president, it can be hard to see how one vote will make a difference. With that many people heading to the polls, winning the lottery may seem like a safer bet. However, sometimes truth is stranger than fiction.
President Trump signed a Republican-supported bill into law that overhauls the U.S. tax code and reduces taxes by $1.5 trillion over the next decade. The U.S. Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (H.R. 1) just before Christmas. It provides the most sweeping changes to the federal tax code in decades while reducing tax bills for businesses and workers alike.
It’s often said that it’s not what you know but who you know. In today’s political climate, it pays to have a sizeable Rolodex.
August 21, 2017, will be remembered as the day the United States experienced its first total solar eclipse since 1979. For U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS) and the employees of COMP Performance Group, it was also a special day when the paths of an industry-leading manufacturer and a colonel-turned-congressman intersected.
When you’re a United States Senator, you tend to get asked a lot of questions. It comes with the territory. In most cases, those questions cover topics such as health care and tax reform. But there’s one question that U.S. Senator Luther Strange (R-AL) just can’t seem to avoid: How tall are you?
On July 14, 2017, SEMA members joined with car clubs, businesses and thousands of enthusiasts to celebrate the eighth annual Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD). A wide range of events was held in the United States and Canada to commemorate this special day. The celebration was designated by SEMA-requested U.S. Senate Resolution 215, which was sponsored by U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Jon Tester (D-MT).
