NPMA Storms the Hill: ILLICIT CASH & Preemption Update

NPMA members visited the Hill last week to lobby their members of Congress on passing federal pesticide preemption and opposing The ILLICIT CASH Act. Since the Hill shut to visitors on Thursday, March 12, our visits were very timely. NPMA members met with over 70 members of the Senate and countless House members showing how strong and unified out industry is. Feedback from visits is still rolling in, but it appears that there is widespread Senatorial opposition to The ILLICIT CASH Act. A hearing is expected to be scheduled later this month (the coronavirus may impact that timing) and as soon as a date is announced, NPMA will be activating all members with a Voter Voice.

Also, on the agenda last week with offices was asking for someone to sponsor a bill on federal pesticide preemption. Countless NPMA members made the hard ask of their Representatives and Senators to try and find a sponsor, and NPMA staff is currently following up with multiple offices who are thinking this over. A special thank you goes out to NPMA member Andrew Richardson with Edge who worked with his Congressman, Representative John Curtis (R-UT-3). Rep Curtis sent an important letter to the House Ag committee members asking them to deal with this difficult issue on behalf of “the dedicated professionals in the pest management industry [who] help keep our homes and communities safe.” You can read the whole letter here. NPMA will continue to push via the appropriations process as well as pursuing a standalone bill on federal pesticide preemption. If you’re willing to meet with your Congressman in the district next week while they are home contact Ashley Amidon at aamidon@pestworld.org to continue pushing on these important issues.