Texas Dealer Academy (TDA) members returned to Washington, D.C. in mid-May to lobby the Texas congressional delegation on important Federal priorities identified by the NADA Legislative Office. The trip had originally been planned for June 2020, but the pandemic and continuing restrictions on operations in Washington, D.C. pushed the visits to May 2022. The TDA group was one of the first visits by franchised dealers to Capitol Hill since the pandemic began.

Led by TDA Trustee WB Cavender, TDA Chair Claire McDonald, and TDA Chair-Elect Jacob Boggus, TDA members from throughout the state spent several days advocating for support of the industry and two major pieces of legislation. The legislation included bills to provide franchised dealers LIFO relief needed because of the chip shortage and a bill to help curb the rising number of catalytic converter thefts.

The event began with a joint dinner with the NADA Legislative Office where Congressman Jake Ellzey joined the group and provided his outlook on the congressional agenda. The next morning the group was joined for breakfast by Congresswoman Veronica Escobar and Congressman Michael McCaul. The rest of the day included visits with both Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, as well as 10 other Members of the Texas congressional delegation. The event closed with a breakfast discussion the following morning with NADA’s Lauren Bailey, the Director of Franchising and State Law for NADA. She provided the group with an overview of important dealer issues being considered by state
legislatures throughout the country.

Thanks to all who attended!