USTMA takes top priorities to Capitol Hill

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Tire Manufacturers Association's recent congressional virtual fly-in event consisted of 28 meetings held over three days from June 14-16. Advocates met via Zoom with 18 Senate offices and 10 House offices to discuss issues of importance to the industry and their respective member companies.

USTMA focused its efforts on meeting with senators and U.S. reps whose states have direct connections to the tire industry—California, Georgia, Illinois, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and Vermont.

This year's ambassadors class represent a cross-section of industry expertise ranging from engineering and business operations to marketing and human resources.

"This was USTMA's fifth class of Tire Manufacturing Ambassadors," Sean Moore, senior director of government relations for USTMA, told Rubber News. "The first three classes advocated in-person on Capitol Hill; the 2020 event was canceled due the pandemic, and the last two years have been held virtually. USTMA anticipates the 2023 program will occur in-person.

"The event is meant to put a face on the industry and connect members of congress with their constituents who are working in tire manufacturing. Ambassadors tell their personal story and share their experiences working in the tire industry and the contributions of their companies to the communities in which they operate. This valuable event aids USTMA's advocacy on behalf of the industry by building a better understanding among congressional offices of the impact our industry has in districts across the U.S."

Through the discussions, USTMA focused on a variety of key issues for the tire industry, including:

• Tire safety. Ambassadors worked to drive support for H.R. 1178, a bill sponsored by Congressional Tire Caucus chairs Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) and Richard Hudson (R-N.C.). The legislation is intended to recognize National Tire Safety Week, which is designed to increase awareness of tire safety.

"Resolutions such as this are an opportunity for elected officials to signal their support for a specific cause," Moore said. "Elected officials also engaged in social media posts during National Tire Safety Week, reminding constituents to inspect their tires before traveling."

• Scrap tire market expansion. With the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act—passed with bipartisan support in November—as the backdrop, USTMA representatives encouraged the use of recycled tire/rubber applications in infrastructure-related projects.

"USTMA will continue to work with allies to create opportunities to grow scrap tire markets and advance the retreading market as well as other priorities within the sustainability portfolio," Moore said. "Our survey data from the event showed the ambassadors found the virtual experience valuable."

• Incentivizing American tire retreading. USTMA ambassadors encouraged members of Congress to support HB 8165, a bill introduced by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, (D-Ohio) in June. The bill is intended to drive both sustainability and investment in U.S. manufacturing by incentivizing fleets that choose to retread tires.

Sustainability, work force development and supply chain challenges also were topics of discussion.

With 57 facilities in 17 states across the country, U.S. tire manufacturing has an annual economic footprint of $170.6 billion dollars and is responsible for more than 291,000 U.S. jobs in manufacturing, distribution and retailing. The industry supports more than 510,000 additional U.S. jobs in supplier and induced activities, totaling more than 801,000 jobs nationwide, according to the USTMA.