As the sponsor of the Federal Insurance Office Elimination Act, Congressman Troy Downing is at the forefront of efforts to reshape federal oversight of the insurance industry. Formerly Montana’s State Auditor, Rep. Downing oversaw the state’s insurance industry and brings firsthand regulatory experience to Capitol Hill. Now serving in Congress, he sits on the House …
Continue reading A Conversation with Congressman Troy Downing (R-MT)
On March 14, the federal government avoided a shutdown following the Senate’s passage of a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the federal government for the remainder of the fiscal year. Included in the CR was an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) until September 30. This latest extension marks the 33rd short-term extension of …
Without Congressional action, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) will expire after March 14. With the deadline quickly approaching, your legislators need to hear from you, the members of the independent agent community, that the NFIP urgently needs to be reauthorized. The history of NFIP extensions has been messy. In 2017, the NFIP’s last five-year …
Earlier this week, PIA, along with a coalition of fellow crop insurance stakeholders, sent Congressional leaders a letter urging them to protect crop insurance from funding cuts in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) budget and appropriations process. Despite the critical role crop insurance plays in protecting farmers from natural and economic disasters, and its value in …
Continue reading PIA Urges Congress to Protect Crop Insurance in Budget and Appropriations Process
The PIA Government Relations staff has reviewed PIA’s past policy positions and Congress’s current priorities, and, in consultation with PIA members across the country, we have developed our 2025 Policy Priorities. While the items below are our top priorities for this year, PIA is always working to promote the interests of our independent agent members, …
On January 23, two bills backed by PIA were reintroduced in the 119th Congress. The Main Street Tax Certainty Act (H.R. 703/ S.1149), sponsored by Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) and Senator Steve Daines (R-MT), would make permanent the 20% tax deduction available to some S Corporations, known as passthroughs. Without Congressional action, this important tax …
Continue reading Two PIA-Supported Bills Reintroduced in 119th Congress
On December 20, Congress avoided a government shutdown after reaching a short-term deal, called a continuing resolution (CR), to fund the federal government. Included in the agreement was an extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The NFIP will now be funded through March 14, 2025. This extension marks the 32nd short-term extension of the …
Rep. French Hill (R-AR) has been tapped by his Republican colleagues to serve as the next chair of the House Financial Services Committee. Rep. Hill will replace retiring Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC). The House Financial Services Committee is the committee of jurisdiction for several of PIA’s Policy Priorities, including the reform or repeal of the …
Continue reading Rep. French Hill to Serve as Next House Financial Services Chair
On December 10, PIA sent a letter to congressional leaders requesting that they reauthorize the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) beyond its current December 20 expiration date and for as long a period as possible. As the December deadline for the NFIP quickly approaches, your legislators need to hear from you, the members of the independent agent community, …
Last month, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas struck down the Department of Labor (DOL) final rule on overtime, meaning that the rule is no longer in effect anywhere in the United States. This past spring, the final rule changed the procedures applicable to workers’ eligibility for overtime pursuant to the …
Continue reading Court Strikes Down Overtime Rule: Key Takeaways
