WASHINGTON, D.C., April 7, 2016—The Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA or the Big “I”) today announced that Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-New York) will address the association’s membership on Thursday, April 14, 2016.

 

 Sen. Schumer 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 Sen. Chuck Schumer will be addressing our members the morning of our annual visit to Capitol Hill,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president and CEO. “In his numerous leadership roles as Senate Democratic Conference vice chair and Senate Democratic Policy and Communications Center chair, and the likely leader of Senate Democrats in the next Congress, Sen. Schumer is on the forefront of many important decisions in Congress. We look forward to hearing his outlook on key issues as our agents prepare to meet with their federal representatives.”

 

Sen. Schumer was elected to the U.S. Senate in 1998. In addition to his leadership positions, he also serves on the Senate Finance Committee and as the Ranking Member on the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration. He also serves on the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; the Judiciary Committee, where he is Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration and the National Interest; and the Joint Committee on the Library. He previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the New York State Assembly. Sen. Schumer earned his bachelor’s degree with Harvard College and is also a graduate of the Harvard Law School.

 

“Over the years, Sen. Schumer has been engaged on a number of issues important to our membership, from his leadership on reauthorizing the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act to being an active and influential voice on the operation of the National Flood Insurance Program,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs. “He understands that these issues are critical to independent insurance agencies and small businesses in New York and across the country.”

 

The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place April 13-15 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Downtown Hotel.

 

The legislative conference is an opportunity for Big “I” members to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP), insurance regulatory reform, healthcare and other economic challenges facing independent insurance agents and their clients. 

 

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

 

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