Big “I” Chairman Bobby Bramlett was in Washington, D.C., this week, meeting with members of Congress and advocating on behalf of the thousands of independent insurance agents and brokers across the country who count on his leadership.
The Big “I” team on Capitol Hill. From left to right: Bob Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO; Bobby Bramlett, Big “I” chairman; Rep. James Lankford (R-Okla.); and Charles Symington, Big “I” senior vice president of government affairs. Photo credit: Ryan Young
Bramlett, a native of Oklahoma, met with much of his home state’s congressional delegation, including his hometown congressman and deputy whip for the Republican Conference, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.); Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), House Agriculture Committee chairman; and Rep. James Lankford (R-Okla.), House Republican Policy Committee chairman. He also met with a top aide to Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.).
In addition to his delegation, Bramlett spent time with members of the House and Senate from other states, as well as senior House leadership staff. Bramlett also attended a reception with more than 20 moderate House Republicans.
Many of the meetings opened with Bramlett reminding the members of the Senate and House and their staffs about how the independent agency system plays a very important role in protecting America’s families, small businesses and farmers in a slew of issues that are up for debate in Congress.
Issues of importance that Bramlett discussed include agent licensing reform, terrorism insurance, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the Federal Crop Insurance Program (FCIP) and tax reform.
While Bramlett’s visit was effective, it is essential that a strong contingency of Big “I” members come to Washington, D.C., in April for the Legislative Conference to advocate for the independent agency system. Register before Feb. 28 to automatically receive the 10% early-bird discount.
Margarita Tapia is Big “I” director of public affairs.