WASHINGTON, D.C., April 7, 2015—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that U.S. House of Representatives Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) will address the association’s membership on Thursday, April 23, 2015.

 

Majority Whip Scalise will be a keynote speaker at the legislative conference breakfast which occurs just prior to the association’s annual Big “I” Day on Capitol Hill. Every year, agents and brokers visit Capitol Hill offices to educate members of the Senate, House and their staff on issues that directly impact independent insurance agents, brokers and the consumers they serve. 

 

“The Big ‘I’ is honored that House Majority Whip Scalise, the third highest ranking Republican in the House, will be addressing our members the morning of our annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “We look forward to hearing his outlook on important insurance, business, and economic issues as our agents prepare to meet with their elected representatives.”

 

Scalise was first elected to the House in 2008 and is currently serving his fifth term representing Louisiana’s First Congressional District, which includes much of the state’s southeastern region. He was first elected to serve as Majority Whip in June 2014 and serves on the powerful Energy and Commerce Committee. Scalise has also served as chairman of the Republican Study Committee, a caucus of more than 170 conservative House members. Scalise was a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Louisiana Senate from 1996 to 2008 and previously worked as a systems engineer. He earned a bachelor of science in computer science with a minor in political science from Louisiana State University.

 

“Whip Scalise’s leadership has been instrumental in ushering important insurance legislation through Congress, including an extension of TRIA, creation of NARAB II, and a bill of particular importance to the state of Louisiana: the Homeowner’s Flood Insurance Affordability Act (HFIAA), which made important changes to the Biggert-Waters flood insurance legislation,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs. “His commitment to small business and insurance consumers has been exemplary throughout his service in Congress. We look forward to hearing his perspective on the important issues facing our marketplace.”

 

The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency Washington on Capitol Hill.

 

The legislative conference is an opportunity for Big “I” members to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include insurance regulatory reform, flood insurance and natural disasters, health insurance reform, the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP), tax reform, agent commissions and other economic challenges facing independent insurance agents and the industry. 

 

Other highlights of the Big “I” Legislative Conference include in-depth issues briefing sessions; appearances by numerous high-profile speakers discussing important insurance and national issues confronting lawmakers as well as agents and brokers and hundreds of meetings on Capitol Hill between Big “I” agents and brokers and their elected representatives in the Congress.

 

Journalists interested in attending, please send an email to margarita.tapia@iiaba.net or call (703) 706-5473 for media registration.

 

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