The newly minted 111th Congress includes dozens of members with independent agency experience and insurance backgrounds—including several former state insurance commissioners, agents and industry leaders.

The Big “I” political action committee, InsurPac, closed the books with more than $1.73 million in receipts for the 2007-2008 cycle, maintaining its presence as the largest property-casualty PAC. During that same time, more than $1.6 million was disbursed to representatives, senators and other candidates for federal office. Ninety-two percent of InsurPac-supported candidates won in 2008. A few of these recently re-elected industry leaders and former members of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America follow.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is the former Commissioner of the Maine Department of Professional and Financial Regulation, the department with oversight of the Maine Bureau of Insurance. Collins was just reelected to a third term and serves as Ranking Member and former Chairwoman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. She addressed the 2008 Big “I” Legislative Conference &Convention and has been hailed as an expert on issues important to independent insurance agents.

Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Fla.) represents the Sunshine State’s second congressional district and formerly worked as an agent focusing on workers’ compensation. Boyd has long been a leader of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of conservative Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives “who advocate fiscal responsibility in the federal budgeting process.” The Big “I” has a long-standing relationship with the Blue Dogs and has been a supporter of the coalition since it was formed.

Rep. Dan Burton (R-Ind.), a former member of the Big “I”, has been a friend to independent insurance agents for many years. Burton currently serves as Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere and is on the Government Oversight and Reform Committee.

Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) is a former member of the Big “I” with a long record of civic and business contributions. Prior to coming to Washington, she owned and headed the G&R Insurance Agency and served as mayor of Fort Worth. Granger serves as the Ranking Member on the State-Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee and co-chairs the Anti-Terrorism Caucus. Granger is hailed as an expert on defense issues and served as the Vice Chair of the House Republican Conference during the last Congress.

Rep. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.), CPCU, is a long-time tax watchdog and advocate for small business owners. Kingston is also a former Big “I” member. His professional background as an independent agent includes serving as vice president of the Palmer & Cay Agency. Kingston serves as the ranking member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture and is also on the Appropriations Defense Subcommittee.

Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) is near the top of his party’s leadership, as he was recently elected chairman of the House Democratic Caucus. In addition to his powerful political role, he serves on the Ways and Means Committee and is the former owner of Larson & Lysik Insurance Company.

Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) is a former insurance agent and Louisiana state legislator. He owned and operated the Melancon Insurance Agency through the 1980s. He was recently elected as co-chair for Communications of the House Blue Dog Coalition. Melancon has focused much of his attention in Congress on disaster relief, including insurance issues and hurricane recovery efforts in Louisiana.

Rep. Earl Pomeroy (D-N.D.) is the former Insurance Commissioner of North Dakota and former President of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Pomeroy serves on the influential Ways and Means Committee and is Co-Chair of the House Democratic Social Security Task Force. Pomeroy is widely considered a thought leader in Congress and is looked to for expertise on retirement security, social security and insurance issues.

Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.) is a former independent agent whose family is still in the business in Tennessee. He is a long-standing leader of the Blue Dog Coalition. Tanner serves on the House Ways and Means Committee and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs. He is also the incoming Chairman of the Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Security. Tanner’s professional background also includes a decorated military career, farming and public service in the Tennessee state legislature.

The 111th Congress and the Big “I” Capitol Hill team have hit the ground running on a host of issues important to independent agents and brokers such as targeted regulatory reform, natural disaster insurance and reauthorization of the flood insurance program. Additionally, the team continues to guard against legislation that could harm independent insurance agents and brokers. The stage is set for an exciting and challenging session, and the Big “I” looks forward to working with the new administration, Congress and other stakeholders to protect the continuing success and security of its members.

Margarita Tapia (margarita.tapia@iiaba.net) is Big “I” director of public affairs.