Sen. Joe Manchin to Address Big ‘I’ Legislative Conference Breakfast

Sen. Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) will address the association’s membership on Thursday, May 4 at the legislative conference breakfast at the 2017 Big “I” Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C.

Sen. Manchin will be a keynote speaker at the breakfast, which occurs just prior to the association’s annual Big “I” Day on Capitol Hill. Every year, agents and brokers visit Capitol Hill to educate members of the Senate and House—along with their staff—on issues that directly impact independent insurance agents, brokers and the consumers they serve.

“The Big ‘I’ is honored that Sen. Joe Manchin will be addressing our members the morning of our annual pilgrimage to Capitol Hill,” says Robert A. Rusbuldt, Big “I” president & CEO. “Sen. Manchin is a true statesman and a ‘Blue Dog Democrat’ known for his commitment to small business. We look forward to hearing his outlook on key issues as our agents prepare to meet with their federal representatives.”

Sen. Manchin was sworn into the U.S. Senate on Nov. 15, 2010 to fill the seat left vacant by the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-West Virginia). He currently serves on the Senate Committee on Appropriations, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

In addition to his numerous committee leadership roles, Sen. Manchin is a vocal supporter of small business and fiscal responsibility. He previously served as West Virginia’s governor, Secretary of State and as a state legislator. Prior to his career in public service, he was a businessman. Sen. Manchin earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from West Virginia University.

“Sen. Manchin has long been engaged on a number of issues important to our membership,” says Charles E. Symington, Jr., Big “I” senior vice president for external and government affairs. “As an outspoken voice for small business and a former businessman himself, he understands that these issues are critical to independent insurance agencies and small businesses in West Virginia and across the country.”

The Big “I” Legislative Conference is the insurance industry’s best-attended, most effective legislative meeting. This year’s event will take place May 3-5 at the Renaissance Washington, D.C., Downtown Hotel.

The legislative conference is an opportunity for Big “I” members to discuss important issues with their congressional representatives. Top issues this year include the NFIP, health care, tax reform, insurance regulatory reform, Risk Retention Act Expansion, the Federal Crop Insurance Program and other economic challenges facing independent insurance agents and their clients.

Margarita Tapia is Big “I” director of public affairs.