BETHESDA, Md. — South Carolina Republican Congressman Jeff Duncan has become the 50th member of the bi-partisan Congressional Auto Care Caucus, according to the Auto Care Association (ACA).
The caucus was started in 2017 by co-chairs Reps. Scott Perry, R-Pa., and Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., to garner more support for automotive industry issues on Capitol Hill.
Congressional caucuses are classified as "Congressional Member Organizations" and are made up of lawmakers who share common public policy goals pertaining to a particular interest, demographic or political party.
The caucus mission statement explains, in part, that the purpose of the Auto Care Caucus is to "…maintain a competitive free market for the motoring public; protect consumers' vehicle data and the right to be the ultimate owners and stewards of their data; and to help ensure consumers have access to quality, convenient and affordable auto repairs, maintenance and parts."
"The Congressional Auto Care Caucus fights for a free, competitive auto care market, as well as every American's right to own and protect their personal data," Mr. Perry said. "I'm honored to lead this bipartisan caucus with co-chair Rep. Brendan Boyle and the Auto Care Association. As we welcome our 50th member, this marked achievement is a clear statement that Congress supports the men and women working in the auto care industry and all motoring Americans."
"As co-chair of the Auto Care Caucus, I am extremely encouraged to see so many of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle who have joined," Mr. Boyle said. "Our robust caucus membership growth is a clear acknowledgment of how significant this industry has become in all of our districts as well as a commitment to keeping our constituents on the road, safely and economically."
"As the association's presence on the Hill has grown, the Auto Care Association's government affairs team has found that members of Congress are grateful to make the connection with an industry that brings so many jobs and substantial economic impact to their own districts," ACA President and CEO Bill Hanvey said.
"During the COVID-19 pandemic it was evident that our relationship, and the relationship of our members with congressional representatives, was critical for our industry."
There are members from 25 states. Pennsylvania has the most, with eight. The members of the Auto Care Caucus, by state and party affiliation, are:
- Alabama: Mo Brooks, R;
- Arizona: Tom O'Halleran, D;
- California: Julia Brownley, D; Tony Cardenas, D; Gil Cisneros, D; Lou Correa, D;
- Connecticut: John Larson, D;
- Florida: Gus Bilirakis, R; Alcee Hastings, D; Darren Soto, D;
- Georgia: Hank Johnson, D;
- Indiana: Jim Banks, R; Jackie Walorski, R;
- Iowa: Dave Loebsack, D;
- Kansas: Roger Marshall, R;
- Kentucky: Brett Guthrie, R;
- Louisiana: Garret Graves, R;
- Michigan: Debbie Dingell, D; ;Dan Kildee, D; Brenda Lawrence, D; Haley Stevens, D;
- Missouri: Blaine Luetkemeyer, R;
- Nevada: Dina Titus, D;
- New Hampshire: Ann Kuster, D; Chris Pappas, D;
- New Jersey: Josh Gottheimer, D; Donald Norcross, D;
- New York: Anthony Brindisi, D; Brian Higgins, D; Paul Tonko, D;
- North Carolina: Richard Hudson, R;
- Ohio: Troy Balderson, R; Warren Davidson, R; Bob Latta, R;
- Oregon: Pete DeFazio, D; Kurt Schrader, D;
- Pennsylvania: Brendan Boyle, D; Matt Cartwright, D; Mike Doyle, D; Brian Fitzpatrick, R; John Joyce, R; Scott Perry, R; Glenn T. Thompson, R; Susan Wild, D;
- South Carolina: Joe Cunningham, D; Jeff Duncan, R;
- Tennessee: Tim Burchett, R;
- Texas: Marc Veasey, D; and
- West Virginia: Dave McKinley, R; Carol Miller, R.