Lance Gooden was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 2018 to represent the 5th District of Texas, which goes from Dallas County to Cherokee, Henderson, Kaufman, Anderson, Van Zandt and Wood Counties. Prior to joining the U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. Gooden served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives and worked in the insurance industry for 10 years an insurance broker and risk management consultant. Rep. Gooden has a B.A. in Finance from the University of Texas, Austin.
Why He’s Important to Agents
Rep. Gooden sits on the House Committee on Financial Services, which has jurisdiction over most insurance issues. Given his considerable background in the insurance field, though only a freshman, he serves as the Vice Ranking Member on the Housing, Community Development, and Insurance Subcommittee.
Rep. Gooden’s understanding of the insurance industry has made him a strong ally on vital issues, such as the reauthorization of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program as well as efforts to reform and renew the National Flood Insurance Program.
The congressman has also led on a proactive solution to the economic crisis created by the forced shutdowns made necessary by the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic.
With small businesses under increasing economic pressure every day due to the severe impact of the virus, together with Rep. Filemòn Vela (D-TX), Rep. Gooden introduced H.R. 7671, the “Small Business Comeback Act.” PIA National strongly supports this legislation.
The bill would create a Small Business Recovery Fund (Recovery Fund) that would be housed within the U.S. Department of Treasury and facilitate the distribution of direct grants to affected businesses and their employees. The Recovery Fund would complement business assistance programs established or expanded by the CARES Act and provide streamlined and tailored federal support for small businesses affected by COVID-19. Funds would be targeted to help businesses retain and rehire employees, maintain worker benefits, and continue or resume economic activity.
PIA National will continue to work with Rep. Gooden on supporting his legislation for the creation of a Recovery Fund, as well as other insurance issues important to PIA and its members.