Here we recap priority lobbying targets for the House and Senate in each state, noting in some cases senators or congressmen running for election. By energizing WOTC supporters in every state to contact these targets, we will have a nationwide full-court press on precisely the right members of Congress.
When Congress returns April 16th we will have another chance to get WOTC renewed. The Small Busines Tax Cut Bill reported by Ways and Means on March 29th will most likely go to the floor because it’s a priority of the House leadership. Recently, it was boosted by an interview Majority Leader Eric Cantor gave to the media. If that bill gets to the Senate, our goal will be to get a retroactive WOTC renewal attached to it.
Now is the time to start making contacts in the states where you operate. The entire House will be home campaigning this week, as will contestants for 33 Senate seats. They will be anxious to hear your message. Don’t forget to be ready to answer the congressman’s question, “What do you want me to do?” The answer for House members is “Co-sponsor H.R. 2082 and urge Ways and Means Chairman Camp to make WOTC a permanent part of the tax code.” In the Senate, it’s “Join with Senator Baucus to pass a bi-partisan WOTC extender bill.
Use the fact sheet and model letter at our web site to educate those in your organization whom you recruit to help. Remember the Coalition’s phone number if they have questions, 703-587-4566.
It takes only one intelligent, motivated, outgoing person in each local branch, field office, or client to quickly get acquainted with his congressman or senator and their legislative assistants by calling their local office or Washington office, 202-224-3121, to start the ball rolling. The aim is to deliver the WOTC message directly in a meeting with the congressman or aides, followed up in writing and by phone at critical points in the campaign.
The Coalition can help your organization, we’ll make field calls and mobilize your members or branches for you. We can also write your talking points and letters. We just need your go-ahead. The next three months will be crucial.
A point worth repeating because it’s an election year: it’s out of bounds to cast your message suggesting an offer of electoral support in return for support of WOTC. Advocacy isn’t a horse trade, and suggesting it isn’t proper. You are a constituent asking your congressman’s help in a legislative matter of concern to your business, or state or district, so stick to the merits of your case without mentioning the election unless the congressman or senator brings it up. In that case you may speak frankly, but often the prudent response is you can’t speak to the election at present. Someone in the congressman’s campaign, which is separate from his legislative office, may contact you for electoral support or you may contact the campaign if you are eager to help, but keep your advocacy and political roles separate.
Below are priority targets for House and Senate targets in all 50 states, emphasizing lobbying Republicans in the House to co-sponsor H.R. 2082, and Republicans in the Senate to join with Senator Baucus in a bi-partisan WOTC extender bill.
Senator Richard Shelby (R)
Senator Jeff Sessions (R)
Congressman Jo Bonner (R)
Congressman Robert B. Aderholt (R)
Congressman Spencer Bachus (R)
Senator Lisa Murkowski (R)
Senator Mark Begich (D)—Senator Begich is new and needs to be fully informed about WOTC. Bottom line: please work with Senator Baucus for WOTC renewal.
Congressman Don Young (R)—Congressman Young is the at-large congressman for the entire state of Alaska and ranks second in seniority among House Republicans.
Congressman Jeff Flake (R)—Senator Jon Kyl is retiring and Congressman Flake is running for Senate. His principal Democratic opponent is former U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona. The race is expected to be a toss-up between Flake and Carmona.
Congressman Trent Franks (R)
Congressman Rick Crawford (R)
Congressman Wally Herger (R)—high-ranking on Ways and Means
Congressman Devin Nunes (R)—Ways and Means member
Congressman Kevin McCarthy (R)—House Majority Whip, member of the leadership
Congressman Elton Gallegly (R)—Chairs Immigration Policy Subcommittee of Judiciary Committee
Congressman Howard P. McKeon (R)—Armed Services Committee Chairman
Congressman Jerry Lewis (R)—third-ranking in seniority among House Republicans
Congressman Gary G. Miller (R)
Congressman Ken Calvert (R)
Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (R)
Congressman Dana Rohrabacher (R)
Congressman Brian P. Bilbray (R)
Congressman Darrel Issa (R)
Congressman Cory Gardner (R)
Congressman Scott Tipton (R)
Congressman Christopher S. Murphy (D)—Senator Joseph Lieberman is retiring and Democratic Congressman Murphy is running for this open seat; he will first have to win the primary on August 14th. His Republican opponent will be either former Senate candidate Linda P. McMahon (R) or former congressman Christopher Shays (R) who will compete in the primary on August 14. Let’s urge Murphy to co-sponsor H.R. 2082, entering the Senate a committed WOTC supporter if he wins. Christopher Shays is a past WOTC supporter but must first win the August primary to be in a position to help.
Congressman John Carney (D)—Congressman Carney is new and needs to be informed about WOTC and urged to co-sponsor H.R. 2082. As with many Delaware congressmen, he may enter the Senate someday.
Congressman Jeff Miller (R)
Congressman Ander Crenshaw (R)
Congressman John L. Mica (R)
Congressman Vern Buchanan (R)—Ways and Means member
Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R)
Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (R)
Senator Saxby Chambliss (R)
Senator Johnny Isakson (R)
Congressman Jack Kingston (R)
Congressman Tom Price (R)—Chairman, Republican Policy Committee and Ways and Means member
Congresswoman Mazie K. Hirono (D)—Senator Daniel Akaka is retiring and Congresswoman Hirono is running to replace him if she wins the August 11 primary against former Congressman Ed Case. She can help us now by co-sponsoring H.R. 2082. Former governor Linda Lingle (R) is the Republican candidate for this seat in what could be a close race with the Democratic nominee.
Senator Michael D. Crapo (R)—Finance Committee member
Congressman Mike Simpson (R)
Congressman Peter Roskam (R) Ways and Means member and Deputy Whip.
Congressman John Shimkus (R)
Congressman Donald Manzullo (R)—he is in a primary fight with freshman Congressman Adam Kinzinger, and would be willing to hear our case for co-sponsoring H.R. 2082.
Adam Kinzinger (R)—he is in primary fight with Congressman Donald Manzullo due to re-districting, and as a “young gun” needs to hear the case for WOTC and co-sponsoring H.R. 2082.
Senator Richard Lugar (R)—has primary fight with State Treasurer Richard Mourdock on May 8.
Congressman Joe Donnelly (D)—will run against Lugar or Mourdock in general election.
Senator Charles E. Grassley (R)—Finance Committee member
Congressman Tom Latham (R)
Congressman Steve King (R)
Senator Pat Roberts (R)—Finance Committee member, tried to pass WOTC extension on amendment to Highway bill on March 14 but could not muster 60 votes.
Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (R)—Ways and Means member
Congressman Kevin Yoder (R)—Kansas City
Senator Mitch McConnell (R)—Minority Leader
Congressman Edward Whitfield (R)
Congressman Harold Rogers (R)
Congressman Geoff Davis (R)
Congressman Charles Boustany, Jr. (R)—high ranking on Ways and Means
Congressman Rodney Alexander (R)
Congressman Steve Scalise (R)
Congressman John Fleming (R)
Senator Susan Collins (R)—Task is to urge her support for WOTC in the Republican Conference and with Minority Leader McConnell.
Senator Olympia Snowe (R)—Senator Snowe is retiring and neither of the congressmen from Maine, both Democrats, are running for her seat. Former governor Angus King (I) has declared his candidacy as an independent. Maine Treasurer Bruce Poliquin has announced for the Democrats. Governor King is the leading contender and should be briefed on WOTC at the earliest opportunity. The primary is June 12th.
Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (D)—House Minority Whip, needs to hear importance of WOTC for Maryland and asked to co-sponsor H.R. 2082.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen (D)—A de facto member of the House Democratic leadership, getting him to co-sponsor H.R. 2082 would be influential with many Democrats.
Congressman Elijah E. Cummings (D)—Urge him to co-sponsor H.R. 2082 and ask his colleagues Hoyer and Van Hollen to do likewise.
Senator Scott P. Brown (R)—running for re-election as a moderate, he should be contacted and asked to work with Senator Baucus to enact a bi-partisan extenders bill including WOTC. His Democratic opponent is former Consumer Finance Protection Bureau chief, Elizabeth Warren.
Senator Debbie Stabenow (D)—member of the Finance Committee running for re-election, she recently introduced an extenders amendment to the Highway bill covering only renewable energy extenders. She fell 11 votes short and can be expected to try again on another bill. Urge her to join with Senator Baucus in a bi-partisan WOTC extender bill.
Congressman Fred Upton (R)—Commerce Committee chair and close to the Leadership, make sure he’s thoroughly familiar with the case for WOTC.
Congressman Mike Rogers (R)
Congressman Dave Camp (R)—Ways and Means chairman, does not co-sponsor so it’s important for him to hear from House colleagues about importance of WOTC to their constituents and need to move a WOTC extender bill and make WOTC permanent in the tax reform bill.
Amy Klobuchar (D)—running for re-election, urge her to work with Senator Baucus for WOTC renewal at earliest possible date.
John Kline (R)—chairman of Education and the Workforce Committee
Eric Paulsen (R)—Ways and Means member
Michele Bachmann (R)—sensitive to life issues of people with disabilities
Senator Thad Cochran (R)—Chairman of Appropriations Committee, stress importance of WOTC target groups to Mississippi economy, ask that he work with his colleagues in the Republican Conference for renewal.
Senator Roger Wicker (R)—Wicker is running for re-election and his race is called safe. Brief him on importance of WOTC and urge support in the Republican Conference and with Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
Congressman Bennie Thompson (D)—high-ranking Democrat on Homeland Security, important to visit (has six local offices, including Jackson), brief and urge him to co-sponsor H.R. 2082.
Senator Claire McCaskill (D)—running for re-election against Congressman Todd Akin (R) and others. Urge her to commit to work with Senator Baucus for WOTC renewal at earliest possible date.
Congressman Todd Akin (R)—running against Senator McCaskill for U.S. Senate. Urge him to co-sponsor H.R. 2082 and commit to speak to or write Chairman Camp about its importance to Missouri.
Senator Roy Blunt (R)—member of Minority Leadership in Senate, he chairs the Republican Conference and as an experienced legislator he’s willing to listen. Brief him about importance of WOTC to Missouri targeted workers and their families, and urge his support for WOTC when the subject comes up in the Republican Conference and Leadership meetings.
Congressman Sam Graves (R)
Congresswoman Jo Ann Emerson (R)
Congressman Denny Rehberg (R)—running against incumbent Senator John Tester (D) for U.S. Senate. Congressman Rehberg, chairman of the Labor/HHS/Education Appropriations Subcommittee, knows WOTC from in-person briefings by Coalition member MARS/Stout in Missoula during last year’s appropriations battle. Current objective: co-sponsor H.R. 2082 and talk to Chairman Camp about importance of renewing WOTC and making it permanent.
Senator Ben Nelson (D)—is retiring and leading contenders for his seat are former Senator John Kerry (D) and State Attorney General John Bruning (R), State Treasurer Don Stenberg (R), and State Senator Deb Fischer (R). Primary is May 15.
Senator Mike Johanns (R)—former Secretary of Agriculture, we need to win his support and urge him to speak up in the Senate Republican Conference for WOTC.
Congressman Adrian Smith (R)—Ways and Means member
Senator Dean Heller (R)—running for re-election in close race with Democratic Congresswoman Shelly Berkley, a Ways and Means member. Heller should be urged to speak up in the Senate Republican Conference for WOTC.
Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D)—Ways and Means member, running for U.S. Senate against incumbent Senator Dean Heller (R). Urge her to co-sponsor H.R. 2082.
Senator Kelly Ayotte (R)–brief her and urge support for WOTC in the Republican Conference and with Minority Leader McConnell.
Congressman Charles Bass (R)
Congressman Frank A. LoBiondo (R)
Congressman Christopher H. Smith (R)
Congressman Scott Garrett (R)
Congressman Rodney Frelinghuysen (R)
Congressman Martin Heinrich (D)—running for seat of Senator Jeff Bingaman (D) who is retiring. Leading Republican contender is former Congresswoman Heather Wilson (R). Heinrich and Wilson are tied in a close race and both must win primaries on June 5th. Task is to urge Heinrich to co-sponsor H.R. 2082.
Congressman Steve Pearce (R)
Congressman Robert Turner (R)—running for seat of incumbent Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D) who is up for re-election. Urge him to co-sponsor H.R. 2082
Congressman Peter T. King (R)
Congressman Tom Reed (R)—Ways and Means member
Senator Richard M. Burr—Senate Finance Committee member. Urge him to work with Senator Baucus to co-sponsor a bi-partisan extenders bill including WOTC.
Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R)
Congressman Howard Coble (R)
Congresswoman Sue Myrick (R)
Congressman Patrick T. McHenry (R)
Senator John Hoeven (R)—former governor of North Dakota, let’s urge him to support WOTC in the Republican Conference.
Congressman Rick Berg (R)—running for seat held by Senator Kent Conrad who is retiring, Berg is a member of Ways and Means and is in a close race with Heidi Heitcamp (D). Continue working to gain his co-sponsorship of H.R. 2082.
Senator Sherrod Brown (D)—running for re-election against State Treasurer Josh Mandel
Congressman Steve Chabot (R)
Congressman Steve Austria (R)
Congressman Pat Tiberi—Ways and Means Subcommittee Chairman
Congressman Steven C. LaTourette (R)
Congressman Michael R. Turner (R)
Senator Tom Coburn (R)—Finance Committee member
Congressman Frank D. Lucas (R)
Congressman Greg Walden (R)
Senator Patrick J. Toomey (R)
Senator Bob Casey (D) is running for reelection. Republican opponents are mining businessman Tom Smith and biotech businessman Steven Welch, primary April 24th.
Congressman Glenn Thompson (R)
Congressman Jim Gerlach (R)—Ways and Means member
Congressman Bill Shuster (R)
Congressman Tom Marino (R)
Congressman Lou Barletta (R)
Congressman Charlie Dent (R)
Congressman Joe Pitts (R)
Congressman Tim Murphy (R)
Congressman Todd R. Platts (R)
Congressman David Cicilline (D)
Congressman Jim Langevin (D)
Senator Lindsey Grahan (R)
Congressman Joe Wilson (R)
Congresswoman Christi Noem (R)
Senator Lamar Alexander (R)
Congressman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R)
Senator Kaye Bailey Hutchison (R) is retiring and Republican contenders are Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst, former Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, and former Solicitor General Ted Cruz. Democratic contender is retired General Ric Sanchez. Primary is May 29th.
Congressman Louie Gohmert (R)
Congressman Sam Johnson (R)—Ways and Means member
Congressman Ralph M. Hall (R)
Congressman Joe L. Barton (R)
Congressman John Culberson (R)
Congressman Kevin Brady (R)—Ways and Means member
Congressman Michael McCaul (R)
Congressman K. Michaie Conaway (R)
Congresswoman Kay Ganger (R)
Congressman William Thornberry (R)
Congressman Bill Flores (R)
Congressman Randy Neugebauer (R)
Congressman Lamar Smith (R)
Congressman Pete Olson (R)
Congressman Francisco Canseco (R)
Congressman Kenny Marchant (R)—Ways and Means member
Congressman Michael C. Burgess (R)
Congressman John Carter (R)
Congressman Pete Sessions (R)
Senator Orrin G. Hatch (R), Ranking Member of Senate Finance Committee, is running for re-election and won the Republican caucus on March 15.
Congressman Rob Bishop (R)
Congressman Peter Welch (D)
Senator Jim Webb (D) is retiring and former Senator George Allen (R), and former Governor Tim Kaine (D) are the principal contenders in a race too close to call.
Congressman Rob Wittman (R)
Congressman J. Randy Forbes (R)
Congressman Robert W. Goodlatte (R)
Congressman Frank R. Wolf (R)
Senator Maria Cantwell (D) is running for re-election. There are two Republican contenders—State Senator Michael Baumgartner and TV anchor Phillip Yin. Primary is August 7.
Congressman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R)
Congressman Doc Hastings (R)
Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R)
Congressman Dave Reichert (R)—Ways and Means member
Senator Joe Manchin (D) is running for re-election against Republican challenger John Raese. Primary is May 8th.
Congressman David B. McKinley (R)
Congresswoman Shelley Moore Capito (R)
Senator Herb Kohl (D) is retiring. Leading Democratic contender is Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin; leading Republican contender is former Governor Tommy Thompson.
Congressman F. James Sensenbrenner, Jr. (R)
Congressman Tom Petri (R)
Congressman Sean P. Duffy (R)
Congressman Reid Ribble (R)
Senator Michael B. Enzi (R)
Senator John Barrasso (R)
Congresswoman Cynthia M. Lummis (R)
Please do your best to get your members or clients in the field to make these important contacts. In our view, contacts from constituents are the most effective form of advocacy. This is essential work for the next three months. Please contact the Coalition by e-mail or 703-587-4566 for assistance at any time.
President, WOTC Coalition
