On Wednesday as part of National Golf Day, the National Club Association (NCA), joined by the Club Managers Association of America (CMAA), went on Capitol Hill to discuss key issues for the private club and golf industries with some of the nation’s highest-ranking leaders.
The NCA coalition was lead by President & CEO Henry Wallmeyer, Vice President of Government Relations and General Counsel Brad Steele, NCA Secretary and President of the McMahon Group Frank Vain, and Senior Communications Manager Phillip Mike. The CMAA contingent was comprised of CEO Jeff Morgan, Senior Director of Communications and Government Relations Melissa Low, and GM/COO at Mountain Lake Country Club in Lake Wales, Fla., Eric Dietz, CCM, CCE, PGA.
Each meeting was highly productive and effectively communicated to Congress the needs of private clubs. Here are some highlights from the meetings. For a look at NCA’s all-day Twitter coverage of National Golf Day, please click here.
House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) (No. 2 in House leadership)
The private club coalition, led by Steele, communicated the need for common sense H-2B visa reform. The Majority Leader’s chief of staff was receptive to our concerns and supported the nuanced approach that NCA and our allies are taking to help pass reform that would benefit clubs. Tax reform is also critical to Rep. McCarthy, who has already worked to create change that would benefit small businesses like clubs. Also on the Majority Leader’s agenda is passing a repeal to the Affordable Care Act.
Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) – Chairman of the Appropriations Committee
In a meeting with representatives from Sen. Cochran’s office, our team discussed the pressing need for H-2B reform and greater access to the program. Dietz provided examples of how clubs like his current Mountain Lake Country Club and former Interlachen Country Club in Minneapolis rely on H-2B visas to support their operations during the busy season. The issue is felt in Mississippi as well, said one of the chairman’s staffer. In addition, another staffer noted that she grew up playing golf and cherishes it for the time she has been able to spend playing the game with her father.
Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan (R-Wis.)
The private club coalition took advantage of the opportunity to meet with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Paul Ryan’s deputy chief of staff and his colleague. Our voice was heard on issues like regulatory reforms that would support clubs. Vain offered first hand accounts of how effective regulatory reform can help remove some of the onerous barriers that have made it more difficult for clubs to achieve success in recent years.
Ryan’s staff recognized the adjustment period for the Trump administration and Congress to better function together and said there has been great improvement to continue to work toward repealing the Affordable Care Act. The staffers were understanding of our concerns. They appreciate the club industry and let us know they were enthusiasts of club activities like hunting. Ryan’s team looks forward to working with us.
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn (R-Texas) (No. 2 in Senate Leadership)
Our conversations with the chief of staff for the Senate Majority Whip were promising. Cornyn and his team have worked to create real regulatory reform that has reduced burdens on small businesses like clubs. Their other duties include aiding the confirmation process for Trump administration nominees. There are currently two vacancies on the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and Cornyn’s staff intends to fill the spots with pro-business candidates who can help remove the Ambush Election and Micro Union rules, which pose serious problems to clubs.
As with any new presidential administration, the Senate is very often forced to focus much of its time on confirming many Executive Branch nominees. However, the Majority Whip is now excited about pivoting from aiding the nomination process to passing bills. Our coalition discussed legislation such as the STARS Act, which we will work to reintroduce, as a perfect bill with bipartisan support for the Whip to work on if the repeal of the ACA does not materialize.
Republican Policy Comm. Chair John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) (No. 4 in Senate Leadership)
The NCA coalition’s issues were the same ones Sen. Barrasso’s team has been working on, said the senator’s chief of staff. During the conversation, additional concerns such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule were discussed. WOTUS is a significant issue for Barrasso’s constituents and he was the first to applaud the federal court’s action to stop the rule. The senator is also a vital ally of NCA as he serves as Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, which oversees the EPA.
Republican Conf. Chair John Thune (R-S.D.) (No. 3 in Senate Leadership)
In a meeting with the chief of staff for Sen. John Thune, regulatory reform was on the agenda. Just a few steps away, Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio), introduced the Regulatory Accountability Act, which seeks to reduce burdensome regulations on small businesses like clubs. Both Thune’s staff and our coalition are supportive of the bill.
Other issues revolved around the nominations to key positions in the government. On Thursday, Alexander Acosta was confirmed by the Senate to head the Department of Labor. He will work to stop the new overtime rule from taking affect, which has been a critical issue for clubs and NCA. NLRB nominations are also key for Thune as they work toward creating a healthier business environment for clubs.
The NCA coalition’s issues were the same ones Sen. Barrasso’s team has been working on, said the senator’s chief of staff. During the conversation, additional concerns such as the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule were discussed. WOTUS is a significant issue for Barrasso’s constituents and he was the first to applaud the federal court’s action to stop the rule. The senator is also a vital ally of NCA as he serves as Chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee, which oversees the EPA.
As NCA members, your input is critical to our success in effectively communicating the private club industry’s needs to Congress. If you have any questions or concerns regarding issues that impact your club, please contact NCA Vice President of Government Relations & General Counsel Brad Steele at [email protected].