SEMA and PRI members traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate for the interests of the specialty automotive aftermarket and motorsports parts industries as part of the 2024 SEMA & PRI Washington Rally.
Members and industry leaders held nearly 150 meetings with elected officials and congressional staff, advocating for support of legislation to protect the industry. The Washington Rally kicked off with a congressional dinner where TV presenter and car builder Ant Anstead hosted a panel discussion with industry champions from the U.S. House of Representatives, including Reps. Marie Glusenkamp Perez (D-WA), Tim Walberg (R-MI) and Mark Amodei (R-NV), and included a lunch at the exclusive Capitol Hill Club with U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), co-chair of the Congressional Automotive Performance and Motorsports Caucus.
The event featured the first “Cars at the Capitol” event, which showcased a curated offering of customized cars, trucks and SUVs that exemplify the specialty automotive aftermarket. The car show put the industry on display just beyond the steps of the Capitol with a vehicle lineup that included everything from classic cars, including a ’67 Chevrolet Chevelle and a ’69 Ford Mustang Mach 1, to late-model vehicles such as a ’15 Nissan GT-R, a ’22 Gladiator 4xe and a Toyota Tundra.
Congressional meetings provided SEMA and PRI members with an opportunity to advocate for protecting the right to repair and modify vehicles with advanced technology, stopping vehicle technology mandates that limit consumer choice, protecting motorized access to federal government lands, making permanent business tax incentives for race tracks and extending business tax incentives that will be expiring or be reduced in 2025.
This year’s Washington Rally marked the 17th time that SEMA and industry members have advocated for the industry at the capitol. The event plays a pivotal role in SEMA and PRI’s advocacy efforts at the federal level, providing our members with an opportunity to develop and strengthen relationships with key members of Congress.
SEMA and PRI welcome members who weren’t able to attend the Rally to get involved by writing their members of Congress on issues of key importance to their business and the industry. We also encourage you to host your members of Congress at your business. Click here to sign up to host your members of Congress.
